Nicholas Daniel

Oboist Nicholas Daniel is among his country's foremost players on his instrument. He has commissioned and performed numerous new works for the oboe, including those by Harrison Birtwistle, Thea Musgrave, and the Oboe Concerto of James MacMillan. He is a founding member and principal oboist of the Britten Sinfonia and co-founded the Haffner Wind Ensemble. Since 1981, he has appeared as a duo with pianist Julius Drake. Daniel's Five Italian Oboe Concertos album of 1999 featured Baroque works by Vivaldi and lesser-known composers. Among his contemporary recordings are Chamber Works for Oboe (2013). In 2021, he was heard in a performance of Heartfelt by Roxanna Panufnik. Daniel's later career has been enriched by several prestigious awards, including the Queen's Medal for Music, a BBC Magazine Premiere Award for his 2016 recording of oboe concertos by Vaughan Williams and MacMillan, and designation as Officer of the British Empire.