ONE of the country's top musicians who made his home in Leominster has died aged 90.

Professor Gwynne Edwards, former principal violist with the London Symphony Orchestra and co-principal with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic, moved to his wife Ruth's native county in 1981.

He retired from the Royal Academy of Music after 37 years of teaching the viola and chamber music.

Under Sir Henry Wood, Professor Edwards performed in 12 Promenade seasons. Edward Elgar honoured the young musician in describing him as a fellow 'colleague' before signing an autograph.

After serving as tank commander in the 22nd Dragoons during the war, the professor became principal viola with the LSO in 1947.

The orchestra performed at the Three Choirs Festival and in this period he made his first three visits to Hereford Cathedral.

Before the war the violist had played in a quartet for the Queen Mother and princesses and in 1953 led the viola section at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Professor Edwards went on to join the RPO as co-principal and worked with great conductors - from Barbirolli to Toscanini.

He did much free-lance session work at Elstree Studios with stars such as Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones and at Abbey Road with the Beatles.

The professor played down this aspect of his career, however, joking that 'it's not proper music'.

When an Associated Board Examiner, he met his pianist wife Ruth, a local teacher who was a former pupil of the Royal Academy.

The couple had two sons, David, aged 29, and Richard, 20.

His funeral will be held at Leominster Priory on Tuesday June 20 at 2pm.

A Memorial Concert is planned at the Royal Academy and the family intends to set up a music award in his honour.