Pleeth, William (1916– )

English cellist. He studied with Julius Klengel in Leipzig, where he made his debut, in 1932. He made his London debut in 1933. He made many appearances as a soloist, but was best known as a chamber music player, appearing with the Blech quartet (1936–41) and the Allegri quartet (1952–67). He was often heard in Schubert's string quintet, with the Amadeus quartet. He was a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, between 1948 and 1978. He was awarded the OBE in 1989.