# Felix Kok

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**Felix Kok** (1 August 1924 – 11 August 2010),[1] was a South African-British violinist. He was leader of the [City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra](/source/City_of_Birmingham_Symphony_Orchestra) from 1965 to 1988. Born in South Africa, he moved to Britain in 1938.

## Life

Kok was born in [Brakpan](/source/Brakpan) in South Africa in 1924; his father, once a farmer, was a miner, and his mother played violin and piano. A teacher, noticing Felix's talent in playing the violin, encouraged him to have lessons in London. The family moved to Britain in 1938, and he attended [Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School](/source/Haberdashers'_Aske's_Boys'_School); with a scholarship, he went to the [Royal Academy of Music](/source/Royal_Academy_of_Music), studying with [Rowsby Woof](/source/Rowsby_Woof).[1][2]

After graduating, he joined the [Blech Quartet](/source/Harry_Blech), playing second violin. In 1947, with his brother the cellist [Alexander Kok](/source/Alexander_Kok), and pianist Daphne Ibbott, he formed the Beaufort Trio. He was sometimes guest leader of the [Boyd Neel](/source/Boyd_Neel) Orchestra; the violinist [Peter Mountain](/source/Peter_Mountain) said "We always enjoyed his leading – he led firmly and his playing had strength and truthfulness".[1][2]

He joined the [Philharmonia Orchestra](/source/Philharmonia_Orchestra), where the conductors he played under included [Herbert von Karajan](/source/Herbert_von_Karajan), [Otto Klemperer](/source/Otto_Klemperer) and [Wilhelm Furtwängler](/source/Wilhelm_Furtw%C3%A4ngler). From 1959 he was leader of the [Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra](/source/Bournemouth_Symphony_Orchestra), under conductors [Constantin Silvestri](/source/Constantin_Silvestri) followed by [Charles Groves](/source/Charles_Groves).[3]

In 1965 Kok became leader of the [City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra](/source/City_of_Birmingham_Symphony_Orchestra) (CBSO), remaining there until his retirement in 1988. During this period the conductors were [Hugo Rignold](/source/Hugo_Rignold), then from 1969 [Louis Frémaux](/source/Louis_Fr%C3%A9maux). After Frémaux's departure, Kok was on the selection committee that shortlisted [Simon Rattle](/source/Simon_Rattle) as conductor; the players then voted for Rattle's appointment in 1980.[2]

In 1992, while in Portugal to set up a youth orchestra for the [Gulbenkian Foundation](/source/Gulbenkian_Foundation), he slipped under a train in [Porto](/source/Porto). His left leg was amputated and he sustained other injuries. He was able to appear a few months later as guest leader of the CBSO for a run of ten opera performances.[2][3]

In his last years Kok lived in an almshouse in [London Charterhouse](/source/London_Charterhouse).[2] He died in 2010 aged 86, from a stroke.[3]

### Family

In 1955 he married pianist Ann Steel; they often gave musical recitals together. They had three sons, including the conductor Nicholas Kok, and a daughter who predeceased her father. Ann died in 1998.[1]

## References

1. [Felix Kok obituary](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/sep/26/felix-kok-obituary-violinist-cbso) *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*, 26 September 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2018.

1. [Felix Kok](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/7947019/Felix-Kok.html) *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)*, 15 August 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2018.

1. [Felix Kok](https://web.archive.org/web/20181122133452/https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/obituaries/2010/felix-kok/) *[The Stage](/source/The_Stage)*, 28 September 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2018.

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