Dinmore Records

Paul Arden-Taylor

Oboe, Recorders

Paul Arden-Taylor was born in Hertfordshire and studied the oboe at the Royal Academy of Music with the late Janet Craxton, simultaneously becoming active in the early music world as a member of the Praetorius Consort, in which he played recorders and early wind instruments. Upon leaving the Academy with four diplomas and the Leila Bull Oboe Award, of which he was the first ever winner, he was appointed principal oboe at the age of 20 with the Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet Orchestra.

After 5 years, an interest in light music prompted a move to the BBC Midland Radio Orchestra, and he has since built a wide-ranging freelance career, including regular work with the Royal Shakespeare Company band and as principal oboe with the English Symphony Orchestra, of which he is a founder member.

He has played with many British orchestras and ensembles, and his talents as a multi-instrumentalist have kept him in demand for a plethora of recording sessions, ranging from playing penny whistle in an episode of The Archers to commercial CD recordings of concertos.

A strong interest in the technical aspect of recording has led him, over the last few years, to combine his performing career with work as an independent recording engineer and record producer. In 1997 Paul was awarded an honorary Associateship of the Royal Academy of Music.