Rodney Friend

British classical violinist, concertmaster, conductor, pedagogue, and author. Born in 1939 or 1940 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He was Deputy Leader Violin with the London Symphony Orchestra (1962-1964). In 1964, he became the youngest ever Leader/Concertmaster of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1975, he was invited by The New York Philharmonic Orchestra to be their Concertmaster. On his return to London, he became concertmaster of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and a professor and consultant of violin at the Royal College of Music, London, where he formed and directed The RCM String Ensemble. Later, he joined the faculty of the Royal Academy of Music as a Professor of Violin. In 1991, he formed The Solomon Trio. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to music.