Harry Blech

British violinist and conductor. Born 2 March 1910 in London, England, UK - Died 9 May 1999 in Wimbledon, London, England, UK. He studied at the Trinity College Of Music, London. In 1929, he joined the Hallé Orchestra until 1930. He joined BBC Symphony Orchestra on its formation in 1930. In 1936, he left to become the leader of his own eponymous string quartet; the Blech String Quartet disbanded in 1950. He gave up orchestral playing in 1937 (the last orchestra he played with was the London Symphony Orchestra (1935-1937)). During the Second World War, he played in The Central Band Of The Royal Air Force at Uxbridge. He became a conductor in 1942, under wartime conditions, and formed the London Wind Players (from The Royal Air Force Orchestra). After the war he formed the London Symphonic Players. Founder of the London Mozart Players in 1949. He was given the OBE in 1962 and, when he retired in 1984 with the CBE, the orchestra continued, first under Jane Glover and then under Matthias Bamert.