Janet Craxton is born, the youngest of six children and the only daughter of pianist and teacher Harold Craxton.
Janet Craxton studies at the Royal Academy of Music for three years followed by studies with Pierre Bayeux in Paris at the Conservatoire
Craxton serves as the principal oboist of the Hallé Orchestra.
She becomes the principal oboist of the London Mozart Players.
Janet Craxton starts as principal oboist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In doing so, she became the first female principal player in the history of the orchestra.
Janet is appointed as an oboe professor at the Royal Academy of Music. This year also sees her work with tenor Wilfred Brown to debut Ralph Vaughan Williams' song cycle Ten Blake Songs.
Janet decides to go freelance so she can focus on her chamber music performances and teaching.
She becomes a founder member of the London Sinfonietta, where she performs until her passing.
Janet joins the orchestra of the Royal Opera House - a post she held until her death in 1981.
In 1981, Janet Craxton passed away suddenly at the age of 52. Her unexpected death brought a premature end to an incredible career, leaving the music community mourning the loss of a gifted performer and teacher
Janet Craxton (1929–1981) was born into a musical family as the daughter of pianist, teacher and composer, Harold Craxton. She displayed an early talent for music and pursued oboe studies at the Royal Academy of Music, where her skill and dedication quickly distinguished her. Seeking further studies, she went to Paris Conservatoire for lessons with Pierre Bajeux.
Janet Craxton’s career was marked by exceptional artistry and versatility. She served as the principal oboist with leading ensembles, including the London Mozart Players and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and was a founding member of the groundbreaking London Sinfonietta. Her work with eminent composers such as Vaughan Williams, Michael Tippett, and Elisabeth Lutyens enriched the oboe repertoire, with many works written specifically for her. Her performances were celebrated for their expressiveness and technical precision, earning her widespread recognition in the classical music world.
Beyond her distinguished performing career, Janet Craxton was a passionate educator who shaped the next generation of oboists as a professor at the Royal Academy of Music and a tutor for the National Youth Orchestra. Her artistry and teaching left a lasting impact on the classical music community. In recognition of her contributions to music, she was awarded the Musicians Company Cobbett Medal for Services to Music in 1975 and named the Composer’s Guild Instrumentalist of the Year in 1978. After her untimely passing at the age of 52, she was posthumously honored with the Incorporated Society of Musicians Distinguished Musician Award in 1981. Her legacy endures through her recordings, the admiration of her students, and the works she inspired, cementing her place as one of England’s most beloved oboists.
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