Peter Whelan

Peter Whelan - bassoon

'Principal bassoonist Peter Whelan was an absolute master of fleet facility with a solidly plush tone of wondrous immediacy.' Philadelphia Enquirer

Principal bassoonist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra since 2008, Peter was described by the Philadelphia Enquirer as 'an absolute master of fleet facility with a solidly plush tone of wondrous immediacy'. He is in constant demand as a soloist and chamber musician and has received glowing responses from audiences and critics across the globe, including a Gramophone Award for his recording of Vivaldi bassoon concertos with La Serenissima in 2010.

As concerto soloist, Peter has performed in many of Europe's most prestigious venues, among them the Musikverein (Vienna), Lingotto (Turin), and the great concert halls of London including St. John Smiths Square (Lufthansa Festival), and the Cadogan and Wigmore Halls. Peter's recording of Weber's bassoon concerto with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is due for release in 2012. As chamber musician Peter has collaborated with the Belcea Quartet, London Winds, the Doric Quartet, and with Tori Amos on her album 'Night of Hunters' recorded for Deutsche Gramophone (2011). Peter is also a director of the newly-formed Ensemble Marsyas, with whom he has recorded a first disc of Zelenka sonatas for the Gramophone Award winning label LINN (release, 2012).

Equally at home on modern and historical instruments, Peter has a diverse repertoire spanning over four centuries and has worked with many of Europe's finest symphony orchestras and directors including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (Sir Simon Rattle), the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the English Baroque Soloists (Sir John Eliot Gardiner), the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Les Musiciens du Louvre, and Oper Zürich.

Peter has recently joined the teaching faculty of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has given masterclasses at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.