He was a renowned French horn virtuoso. He showed modest musical talent in childhood, playing the piano, violin, and organ (his father was an organist). He took up the French horn at age 13, and soon was mastering the difficult instrument. He began playing professionally with orchestras in Australia while still in his teens. He became principal horn player in the London Symphony Orchestra when he was only 24, and held that post for 13 years before becoming a solo artist.