Goossens, Eugene
Goossens Leon Jean, *12 June 1897 Liverpool, †13 February 1988 Tunbridge Wells, son of Eugéne II, English oboist of Belgian origin. In 1911–14, he studied at the Royal College of Music in London with Ch. Reynolds and W. Malsch (oboe). In 1913–24, he was principal oboist of the Queen’s Hall Orchestra, then he played in the bands of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Covent Garden, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He left his job in orchestras to pursue free concert activities and teaching. In 1924–1939, he was a professor at the Royal College of Music; until 1935 also a professor at the Royal Academy of Music. His playing was characterised by sophistication and power of expression. Britten, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, among others, composed songs especially for him. In 1962, a serious car accident interrupted his career, but Goossens, with a great effort of will, mastered a new playing technique and in 1966 started giving concerts again. He toured Europe, America and Australia many times, and also gave concerts in the USSR. He was an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music; in 1950, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.