British clarinettist, director, Professor of Clarinet, and author. Born 27 January 1915 in South Shields, County Durham, England, UK - Died 15 September 2003 in Redhill, Surrey, England, UK. The Times called him "the leading clarinettist of his generation, perhaps of the century".
Former Co-Principal Clarinet with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1947-1963), the BBC Symphony Orchestra (1963-1971), and Principal Clarinet with the London Symphony Orchestra (1972-1988). At various times in his career, he was a founder member of chamber ensembles, such as The Wigmore Ensemble, the Prometheus Ensemble, and the London Baroque Ensemble. Former member of the Tuckwell Wind Quartet and the Robles Ensemble. He was Director of the London Wind Soloists. Professor of Clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music (1950-1958), the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall (1969–73), and The Guildhall School Of Music & Drama (1981-1983). His last public concert was on 18 July 1997 at the Wigmore Hall in London. He published two volumes of memoirs and a book about the clarinet.
He was made an Officer (OBE) - Order of the British Empire.
Uncle of Alan Hacker.