Biography
Alexander Kok (also known as Bobby) was only nineteen when he was recruited for the first rehearsal of the legendary Philharmonia Orchestra, where he suddenly found himself in the world of experienced professionals. His career brought him into contact with many of the giants of the musical world. He fell in love with France while studying with Fournier and Casals and retired to Normandy at the end of his playing career. Using his accumulated knowledge he created a building in France with a perfect acoustic. There he provides coaching and rehearsal/recording space for talented young professional performers.
Chronology:
| 1926 | Born in Brakpan, near Johannesburg, Transvaal. |
| 1931 | Moved to Johannesburg. |
| 1932 | Myron Kok Born. |
| 1935 | Given a cello made by a local carpenter which was too big. Auditioned for the choir of St Mary's Cathedral Johannesburg. Head Chorister. |
| 1936 | Began studying cello with Mr Leftwich, later with Betty Pack. Played in local competitions with Darrell and Felix. |
| 1938 | Moved to England. |
| 1939-41 | Attended Haberdasher Aske's School, Lower School Captain 1940-41. |
| 1942 | Awarded the Ada Lewis Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. |
| 1943 | Loaned a Betts cello by the Royal Academy. Formed a duo with Joyce Hedges. Joined ENSA. Won the Piatti Prize awarded by the RAM. |
| 1945 | Began teaching at the London Violoncello School. Monthly BBC broadcast to South Africa with piano trio. Played in Jacques String Orchestra and Boyd Neel Orchestra. Heard Dennis Brain. |
| 1945 | Joined the Philharmonia Orchestra. Formed the Beaufort Trio;successful BBC audition |
| 1947 | Lessons in Paris with Pierre Fournier. Met Schnabel. Accepted as soloist by Ibbs and Tillett. |
| 1949 | Lessons with Pablo Casals. Met Suggia. |
| 1951 | Opening of the Royal Festival Hall. |
| 1952 | Toscanini and Cantelli. |
| 1953 | Resigned from Philharmonia. Heidelberg. |
| 1954 | Married Annette Ingold. |
| 1955 | Further lessons with Casals. |
| 1957-59 | Taught at Dartington Hall. Founded the Dartington String Quartet. |
| 1960 | Principal Cellist BBC Symphony Orchestra. |
| 1962 | Divorced Annette Ingold. |
| 1962-63 | Formed the London Octet and London Ensemble. Performed Mendelssohn Octet at Promenade Concert. |
| 1964 | Married Ysobel Danks, daughter of viola player Harry Danks. Three sons: Simon (1965) Darrell (1967) and Matthew (1971). |
| 1965 | Left the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Began working as a 'commercial cellist' for pop and television sessions. |
| 1968 | Tour of Europe with Menuhin (Bath Festival Orchestra). Covered a six month sabbatical for Roy Carter at Cape Town University. |
| 1971 | Founded the Cheltenham Music Centre. Recital tour of South Africa with Virginia Fortescue. |
| 1976 | Divorced Ysobel Danks. |
| 1977 | Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music. |
| 1981 | Married Marian Hardy. Rebuilt Steanbridge Mill at Slad in Gloucestershire. |
| 1983 | Devised television series Sound of History. Attempted to buy the Old Bakery in Cheltenham to rehouse the music school and create a small concert hall, to be dedicated to the memory of Walter Legge. Plans confounded by local politics. |
| 1986 | Car-crash in Gloucestershire, all material for autobiography and The Sound of History burnt , as were two cellos and bows. |
| 1987 | Placed in receivership on false evidence. |
| 1988 | Receivership rescinded. Next fifteen years spent trying to recover losses and to prove fraud. |
| 1998 | Moved to France. Created a building with a perfect acoustic for use by talented young performers. |
