David McCallum Sr.

David Keith McCallum Sr. (26 March 1897 – 21 March 1972) was the Scottish leader (principal first violinist) of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Scottish National Orchestra. He was also the father of actor David McCallum and of author Iain McCallum.

David McCallum Sr.
Born
David Keith McCallum

(1897-03-26)26 March 1897
Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, Scotland
Died21 March 1972(1972-03-21) (aged 74)
Arundel, Sussex, England
Alma materRoyal College of Music
OccupationViolinist
Spouse(s)Dorothy Dorman
ChildrenDavid McCallum
Iain McCallum

Life and career

McCallum was born in Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, to a musical family. He studied at the Glasgow Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, London, where he studied under Maurice Sons, a pupil of Henryk Wieniawski and leader of the Queen's Hall Orchestra. He modelled his violin playing on Fritz Kreisler.

Early in his career, he arranged music for several local silent cinemas. He also played in the cinema trio; and it was here that he met his wife, cellist Dorothy Dorman.

In 1922, he broadcast as a solo violinist for the first time. Between 1932 and 1936, he led the Scottish Orchestra in Glasgow under John Barbirolli, then was asked by Sir Thomas Beecham to lead the London Philharmonic Orchestra in succession to Paul Beard, who had joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

During World War II, McCallum led the National Symphony Orchestra and played with the London Studio Players and the BBC's Overseas Music Unit. After the war, McCallum rejoined Beecham, this time as leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. On the First American Tour of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1950, Beecham fell ill. McCallum stood in as conductor, and his stint on the conductor's podium earned positive reviews.[1]

He had several small roles in movies. His hands are seen playing the violin for Stewart Granger in an uncredited role in The Magic Bow (1946). He played the blind fiddler in the film Last Holiday (1950), which starred Alec Guinness.[2] He also appeared as himself in "Prelude to Fame".[3]

In 1967, McCallum was one of 40 musicians assembled to perform on The Beatles' track "A Day in the Life".[4] From 1961 to 1971 he was leader of Annunzio Mantovani's orchestra. At this time, his son David McCallum Jr. was at the height of his fame, prompting Mantovani to introduce his leader to audiences with the quip, "We can afford the father but not the son!"[2] Indeed, McCallum Sr. played on several tracks arranged and conducted by his son which featured on the Capitol Records LPs Music...A Part Of Me and Music...A Bit More Of Me released in 1966.[4]

McCallum Sr. died at Arundel in Sussex on 21 March 1972.

Guitarist Jimmy Page credits McCallum with giving him the idea of playing his guitar with a violin bow according to MTV's Led Zeppelin rockumentary.[5][6]

References
  1. Sir Thomas Beecham
  2. "David McCallum, Violin, Leader". hallowquest.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  3. "David McCallum Sr". IMDb. 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  4. Gilbert, Pat (April 1996). "David McCallum - Open Channel D" (PDF). Record Collector. London: Diamond Publishing. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  5. Led Zeppelin (1990). Led Zeppelin Rockumentary (Television production). MTV. Event occurs at 4:28. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  6. "Jimmy Page: How I Ended Up Playing Guitar With a Violin Bow". ultimate-guitar.com. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
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