Obituary: John Kitchen, 1938-2025

Born in Lancaster, John initially studied the violin with his father before going to the Royal Manchester College of Music. In 1957, after leaving the College, John did National Service with the Band of the Grenadier Guards. Aged 21, he became the youngest member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1959.

He joined the LSO in 1965, initially as Sub-principal Second Violin before moving into the First Violin section. In 1968, having been recommended to them by LSO Leader, Hugh Maguire, John moved to Dublin as Leader of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (RTÉ), where he met his future wife, the opera singer Patricia Reakes.

In October 1971 he returned to the London Symphony Orchestra for two years before joining the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s First Violin section in 1973. He moved to the English Chamber Orchestra in the late 70s, returning to the LPO’s First Violin section in 1982. He remained there until his retirement in 2009 after which he concentrated on playing chamber music and teaching.

The LSO extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.