Mark David was born in Cornwall and started playing the cornet at the age of nine. He studied trumpet with the late John Wilbraham at the Birmingham School of Music and was appointed principal trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra in 1992, having previously held that position in Opera North and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
In the past few years, Mark's solo performances with the Philharmonia have included Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with András Schiff and the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with Ashkenazy at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall and private concerts for members of the royal family at Highgrove and Buckingham Palace. He also plays regularly with the English Brass Ensemble, London Sinfonietta and the Nash Ensemble with whom he has recorded Saint-Saens' Septet in E flat major, Op. 65.
Mark was invited to perform with The World Orchestra for Peace under Valery Gergiev which brings together principal players from all over the world. He can be heard on numerous film and television scores and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.
Mark appeared in the following Philharmonia film and also kept us up-to-date on his training for the Marathon des Sables in his online blog.
The Philharmonia's Principal Trumpet's Chair is endowed anonymously.
October 2008 Podcast
This month we speak to both Sir Charles Mackerras and George Benjamin about their work with the Philharmonia.
We also re-launch our Messiaen celebrations by talking to artist Jane Mackay about Synaesthesia.
Mark David's Blog
Read Philharmonia Principal Trumpeter Mark David's blog as he prepares for the Marathon des Sables.
Trumpets
The members of the Trumpet section.
Players
Find out more about the people behind the music.
Brass Section
Read about the section composers use when they want a spectacular, dramatic sound - the brass.
