Peter Lloyd, a distinguished British flautist, has passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of classical music. For two decades, Lloyd graced the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) as co-principal flautist, stepping into the role previously held by James Galway in 1967 and sharing the position with William Bennet. Beyond his orchestral achievements, Peter Lloyd was a cherished educator, notably shaping young musicians at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) from 1993 to 2012.
Born in Dorset, Peter Lloyd’s musical journey began with local flute lessons before he pursued formal training at the Royal College of Music under the tutelage of Edward Walker. Despite being excused from National Service due to asthma, his early ambition faced a setback when he was dismissed from the National Youth Orchestra. As Lloyd himself humbly recalled, “I got chucked out straight away because the flute teacher, Gareth Morris, didn’t think I was good enough. And he was right, too.” This self-awareness and persistent drive for improvement remained hallmarks of his character throughout his illustrious career.
His professional orchestral career commenced as second flute with the Scottish National Orchestra (now Royal). Inspired by his peers, Peter Lloyd sought further musical enrichment in Paris under Fernand Caratgé. Upon his return to the UK, he ascended to the position of first flute in the SNO before transitioning to the BBC Northern Orchestra (now BBC Philharmonic) in Manchester, where he stayed until 1967.
Driven by a quest for continuous artistic growth, Lloyd undertook further studies, first with Geoffrey Gilbert and subsequently with the legendary Jean-Pierre Rampal in Paris. This dedication culminated in his appointment to the LSO, choosing it over an offer from the Hallé Orchestra. During the LSO’s celebrated ‘golden age’, Peter Lloyd thrived under the baton of eminent conductors like André Previn and Leonard Bernstein. Previn featured him as a soloist in Nielsen’s Flute Concerto in 1972. Notably, four years prior, Lloyd participated in Bernstein’s iconic rendition of Verdi’s Requiem at St Paul’s Cathedral, an experience he described to Gramophone as “deeply moving and spiritual.” Seeking to amplify his sound for orchestral projection, he pursued additional studies in France with Marcel Moyse, recommended by his LSO co-principal, Wibb.
Beyond his orchestral commitments, Peter Lloyd was a respected chamber musician and dedicated teacher. He imparted his knowledge at the Guildhall School of Music and, at Gilbert’s encouragement, at the University of Indiana-Bloomington in the US. However, feeling out of sync with the American emphasis on sports, he returned to the UK and the RNCM. He was honored as an Honorary Fellow in 1999. Eventually, health concerns, including pneumonia exacerbated by asthma, led to his retirement from teaching in 2012, having already stepped back from professional playing in 1993.
Peter Lloyd’s distinctive and resonant flute tone, which he described to students as letting the sound “allow itself” rather than “making” it, is immortalized in numerous LSO recordings, particularly in John Williams’s film scores, including the memorable flute solo in Princess Leia’s Theme from Star Wars. Williams, in fact, tailored many flute passages with Lloyd’s unique sound in mind, and even dedicated his Flute Concerto (1969) to him. Critics lauded Lloyd’s “glorious flute playing” in Debussy’s Prélude à L’après-midi d’un faune. Edward Greenfield in Gramophone (February 1973) praised his performance in Stokowski’s 60th anniversary concert recording, and again in Previn’s Gramophone Award-winning version (December 1979). Similarly, a review of Verdi’s Rigoletto under Bonynge (May 1973) highlighted Lloyd’s “most beautiful tone.” Reviewing “Works for Flute and Piano” (September 1992), an all-French recital program, he was commended for his “sensuous and evanescent romanticism” and especially his “superb performance” of Poulenc’s Flute Sonata.
Peter Lloyd’s contributions as a flautist, orchestral musician, and educator have left an indelible mark on the music world. His dedication to his craft, his pursuit of excellence, and his distinctive sound will continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
