Antony Cooke

Life and career

Antony Cooke is the son of internationally renowned cellist Nelson R. Cooke, and was born in Sydney, Australia in 1948 while his father was playing for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The family moved to London when his father was appointed principal cellist of the London Symphony Orchestra. Indeed, Nelson Cooke was recognized for his contributions to Australia in particular in 2011, when he was honored by the Governor-General of Australia with The Order of Australia AM, one of the highest awards that an Australian citizen can receive. Antony Cooke shares in his distinguished father's selection of the cello as a principal musical instrument; similarly, Antony Cooke has performed as a principal cellist and soloist in concerts throughout Europe and the United States.

Antony Cooke began his musical studies at the age of six, studying cello, later theory, composition, conducting and musicology, winning several music awards in London, including a Gold Medal in the venerable London Musical Competition Festival in 1966 and the "Young Musicians '73" Award. Mr. Cooke was a protégé of the Helen Just who was both a cellist of the English String Quartet and a professor at the Royal College. Mr. Cooke studied theory and historical musicology under John Wilkinson, composition under Nadia Boulanger protégé John Lambert, and conducting under Sir Colin Davis. In London, Cooke obtained Artist Diplomas from both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. As a young BBC soloist, Cooke was regularly featured as a recitalist and concerto soloist under conductors such as Colin Davis and Harry Blech, including appearances at the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Bath International Music Festival. In 1971, he was consequently appointed principal cellist of England's premier chamber orchestra at the time, the London Mozart Players, making Cooke the youngest principal cellist in the country.

Cooke moved to the United States in 1974, where he was appointed professor of cello at the University of South Florida. In 1980 Cooke was appointed Associate Professor of Cello at Northwestern University in Chicago, and was a member of the Regenstein Trio during his time there.

In 1984, Cooke moved to Los Angeles, California, and soon established himself as a luminary of the Hollywood recording industry and as a published composer, writing music for film and prime time television. Mr. Cooke estimates having participated in approximately 1500 movie soundtracks, including many television and record productions, including contributions for the following works: The Amazing Spider-Man (Multiple Films); Avatar; Back to the Future (Multiple Films); Cars; Mrs. Doubtfire; E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial; The Fugitive; Jurassic Park (Multiple Films); The Legend of Zorro; Monsters, Inc.; Night at the Museum; Pirates of the Caribbean (Multiple Films); Sleepless in Seattle; Star Trek (Multiple Films); Superman Returns; Titanic; Toy Story; Waterworld; X-Men.

Cooke is a founding member of the Emerson Trio with pianist Dr. Donna Coleman and violinist Endre Balogh.

Cooke has authored numerous books and articles on music, astronomy and astrometeorology; (see below).

Record Reviews

Cooke has been praised for his "sterling abilities, with technical accomplishments ideally counterpoised by a fertile imagination and volcanic temperament" (Fanfare May 1996), and "rich, sonorous tone…performances involving, thoughtful and polished" (American Record Guide Nov. 2005). Cooke's recording of Kodály's Solo Cello Sonata, Op. 8 was hailed as "the finest recent performance" by Fanfare (Nov. 1998). Stereo Review (now Sound and Vision), called his recording of the Solo Sonata "vibrant and dedicated" (Feb 1998), and the American Record Guide commended Cooke as a "solid technician of unusual poise…..this CD does indeed demonstrate cello power" (Sept. 1997). Commentary in American Poems stated it was a "must own" CD. Michale Barone, in his review of Cooke's 2009 recording of the Kodály Solo Sonata, for Minnesota Public Radio Classical Show (25 March 2010), described Cooke's playing as "impassioned and exhilarating... Antony Cooke survives the challenge brilliantly!"

Of the same recording, the review in American Record Guide was less effusive: "Not my favorite reading, but a good one!" Mike D. Brownell criticized Cooke's playing for allmusic.com, claiming that Cooke "gets carried away musically...." "So filled with rubato is Cooke's interpretation that the usually powerful, forward-moving piece nearly comes to a stand-still on several occasions. Chords are played with a tiresome delay at the bottom half that makes Cooke's playing predictable." In 2012, Fanfare Magazine presented a feature article that detailed many of Cooke’s recordings; amongst the reviewers comments: "Not since Bion Tsang and Anton Nel replaced Nancy Green and Frederick Moyer as my favorites in the Brahms cello sonatas (see Fanfare 33:6) have I encountered another recording of these works quite as breathtaking as this new one...," and from the Audio Video Club of America: "I’ve never heard a darker, richer, more passionately conceived cello sound than Cooke cultivates here...." Colleague János Starker offered the following assessments: "Mr. Antony Cooke is an exceptionally gifted cellist and musician. I consider his contributions to the world of music significant."

Musicology

In recent years, Cooke has focused his musical attentions on Charles Ives, initially with the book, "Charles Ives and his Road to the Stars," and following with the large resource volume, "Charles Ives's Musical Universe." Cooke continues to write about Charles Ives and other related subjects; (see below re forthcoming works).

Astronomy Book Reviews

Astronomy Now remarked in May 2004 that Cooke's "Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs" (2003) is "a must buy for the city astronomer." Southern Stars (Vol. 43 (1), March 2004) stated that this book “should be considered an essential for today's amateur who has to endure light pollution". In 2005, the Journal of the Auckland Astronomical Society commented on "Visual Astronomy under Dark Skies," stating that it was "highly recommended for visual observers who want to push their eyeball observing to the limit." However, Dr. Stewart Moore criticized Cooke's explanations of the basic operation of intensifiers in the "Journal of the British Astronomical Association", stating that "anyone wanting detailed technical information on the operation of intensifiers will also need to look elsewhere." Of "Astronomy and the Climate Crisis," Dr. Arthur Upgren, for the American Library Association Choice publication (Vol. 50 (8), April, 2013), wrote: "This book thoroughly covers the ways in which global warming has been studied and conclusions drawn... a valuable addition to the literature; useful for libraries serving schools at the graduate level of study."

Teaching Positions

Recordings

Current Published and Forthcoming Books / Articles

Published Compositions