Meet the curator: James Turnbull

James Turnbull has curated an online exhibition intended as an introduction to British oboe music composed since the turn of the twentieth century.

Explore Jame's exhibition on the Google Cultural Institute here.

Read James' first Spotlight to accompany the exhibition here.

Described by The Independent as a "worthy champion of contemporary oboe music" James has dedicated much of his performing life to promoting and extending the oboe repertoire. James has performed frequently throughout the UK and Europe including a solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall and live on BBC Radio 3. He has appeared as a soloist  in numerous UK festivals and has released solo recordings for Champs Hill Records, Quartz Music, ABRSM and Harmonia Mundi USA. Gramophone Magazine described his debut recital disc, Fierce Tears, as a "notable debut" and it was selected as the Editor's Choice Recording by Classical Music Magazine.

What are you looking into with your exhibition?

"I was exploring the British oboe repertoire from the turn of the 20th Century. In particular I was exploring those works within the British Music Collction and how so many of them were inspired by certain players of the time."

What was your most interesting find?    

"It's hard to single out one find but I really enjoyed finding music by Ruth Gipps, and Stephen Dodgson who contributed oboe works across many decades."

What project(s) are you working on next?

"I'm about to embark on a big commissioning project for new oboe music and also creating a comprehensive catalogue of contemporary oboe music from all around the world."

Follow James on Twitter and Facebook.

Visit his website here

Explore Jame's exhibition on the Google Cultural Institute here.

Read James' first Spotlight to accompany the exhibition here.