W H Reed

William Henry Reed was an English violinist and teacher, born in Frome in 1876 and died in Dumfries in 1942. Much of his professional life was spent in London, where he trained at the Royal Academy of Music and became a respected figure in British musical life in the early twentieth century.

In 1904 he joined the newly founded London Symphony Orchestra, of which he was leader from 1912 to 1935. He then chaired its board of directors until his death. He taught violin at the Royal College of Music and conducted mainly amateur orchestras.

His friendship with Edward Elgar, which began at the Three Choirs Festivals, was particularly important. Elgar consulted him on technical questions concerning the solo part of his Violin Concerto, and Reed took part in the premieres of the Violin Sonata, the String Quartet and the Piano Quintet. He also wrote two books about the composer; the first includes sketches for the unfinished Third Symphony and comments based on conversations with Elgar.

As a composer, his output includes symphonic poems, a Violin Concerto and chamber music; he is recognised as a skilful but not especially distinctive writer. His legacy endures chiefly through the LSO and his writings on Elgar.