David Parkhouse was a man of prodigious energy. As a pianist he used that energy to the full in setting himself, and achieving, the highest of standards. As a teacher he inspired his students to reach for the same. On their many travels, David and his wife Eileen were ambassadors for British music and musicians, indomitable and much loved.

In 1945, at the age of 14, David had been one of the youngest students to have entered the Royal College of Music, having won a major scholarship. He studied with Herbert Fryer and Lance Dossor and, when he was 17, won the RCM’s highest award for piano playing, the Chappell Gold Medal. After serving in the Royal Air Force more prizes followed, with the Boise Foundation Award and the Queen’s Prize, when he was chosen to play before Her Majesty the Queen as soloist in Cesar Franck’s Symphonic Variations. He formed a trio with Eileen Croxford and Hugh Bean, all founder members of the Music Group of London to which David devoted much of his performing life.

Reputedly one of the finest chamber music ensembles of its time, The Music Group of London played extensively at the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and St John’s Smith Square. They made several important recordings for BBC Radio 3, playing all the chamber music of Brahms, Dvorák and Mozart, the latter alongside a contemporary British work. Their commercial recordings include the Saga, Enigma and EMI labels. They travelled world-wide with extensive itineraries planned by David Parkhouse himself.