Boyd Neel (1905-1981) was an English conductor and doctor, best known for the Boyd Neel Orchestra. He became an important advocate for string orchestra repertory and for British music.

Neel’s ensemble gave the first performance of Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, and in the Pristine catalogue he appears in Britten première recordings.

His conducting was clear, disciplined and particularly sensitive to string texture. He helped give chamber orchestra music a crisp modern profile in Britain.

Neel’s importance lies in advocacy as much as interpretation. He was one of those musicians who built a platform just large enough for new music to stand on, then made sure it was heard.