Jonathan Davies

Chair supported by Sir Simon Robey

British bassoonist Jonathan Davies was appointed Principal Bassoon of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2016, having previously held the same position with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jonathan made his BBC Proms debut in 2019 performing Oliver Knussen’s Study for ‘Metamorphosis’ for solo bassoon, returning in 2020 to perform Anna Meredith’s highly virtuosic Axeman for solo electric bassoon with the London Sinfonietta. Further solo highlights include Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante alongside Maxim Vengerov, and the premiere of David Sawer’s How Among the Frozen Words for bassoon and choir with the BBC Singers in 2020. Recent solo recordings include Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto and Sinfonia Concertante with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Jurowski on the LPO Label, and Poulenc’s Trio for Bassoon, Oboe and Piano alongside John Roberts and Mark Bebbington. 2021 saw the release of Jonathan’s recording of Dutilleux’s Sarabande et Cortège, newly orchestrated by Kenneth Hesketh and accompanied by the Sinfonia of London and John Wilson, which subsequently was awarded a BBC Music Magazine Award.

Jonathan began his studies in South Wales with Robert Codd. Graduating with HRH Princess Alice The Duchess of Gloucester’s Prize, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music under the tuition of John Orford, Amy Harman and David Chatterton, supported generously by the ABRSM and Sir Elton John scholarships. Since 2017, he has been a bassoon Professor and Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Jonathan featured in the ‘Backstage’ interview in our Spring 2017 edition of the Orchestra’s magazine, Tune In. Read the interview here.