James Turnbull

Described by The Independent as “a worthy champion” of contemporary oboe music, James has dedicated much of his performing life to promoting and extending the oboe repertoire. James has performed frequently throughout the UK and Europe including a solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall and live on BBC Radio 3. He has released solo recordings for Toccata Classics, Champs Hill Records, Quartz Music and the ABRSM as well as featuring on a disc of Thea Musgrave’s works for Harmonia Mundi USA. Gramophone Magazine described his debut recital disc, Fierce Tears, as a “notable debut” and it was selected as the Editor’s Choice Recording by Classical Music Magazine. The Royal Academy of Music has recognised James’ contribution to the music profession by awarding him an ARAM.

James is deeply committed to expanding the oboe repertoire. He has worked closely with Robert Saxton, Thea Musgrave, Michael Berkeley, Tansy Davies, John Casken, Jonathan Dove and John Woolrich on their compositions for oboe. In 2015, James launched the New Oboe Music Project (NewOboeMusic.org) which promotes 21st century oboe repertoire across the world. James is also founder of the Leon Goossens Prize for Emerging Composers to help encourage a new generation of composers to write for the oboe. As part of this project James has curated a special collection of previously unpublished oboe repertoire in partnership with Composers Edition.

James is an active chamber musician and is Artistic Director of Perpetuo. Founded in 2013, Perpetuo is a chamber music collective that specialises in multi-art form collaborations and innovative ways of performing chamber music in new contexts. James has also performed with other chamber music ensembles including the Berkeley Ensemble and the Allegri String Quartet.