Archie Camden

Who was Archie Camden?

Archie Camden was a British bassoonist; he was a pedagogue and soloist of international acclaim. His career began in 1906 when he joined the Hallé Orchestra where he became principal bassoonist in 1914. In 1933 he moved to the BBC Symphony Orchestra, where he stayed until 1946 when he took up the same position in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Camden was also one of the first bassonists to experiment with recording. His record of the Mozart bassoon concerto still remains one of the most popular today.

As a teacher, he was a professor of the bassoon at the Royal Manchester College of Music from 1914 to 1933; he later taught at the Royal College of Music in London. His most famous students included Roger Birnstingl, Michael Chapman, and Martin Gatt. He also conducted the London Stock Exchange Orchestra.

In 1962, Camden published his book "Bassoon Technique." He was awarded an OBE in 1969.