Antony Cooke, son of renowned cellist, Nelson Cooke, studied in London (artist diplomas from the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music). Gold Medal (London Music Festival), “Young Musicians ’73” Award, England’s youngest principal cellist (1971-74 London Mozart Players), international solo appearances (inc. Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, Bath Festival, BBC soloist). He is also a noted author of books on astronomy, and a published composer. Since 1984 a leading recording musician in Hollywood (over 1,500 movie scores) and countless television and record productions; numerous solo recordings, performances.

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 toneperformances involving, thoughtful and polished”, (American Record Guide Nov. 2005). His recording of the Solo Sonata by Kodaly was hailed as “the finest recent performance” in Fanfare, Nov. 1998; Stereo Review, Feb. 1998 (now Sound and Vision), called it “vibrant and dedicated”, and American Record Guide, Sept. 1997 commended Cooke as a “solid technician of unusual poise..this CD does indeed demonstrate cello power”, while commentary in American Poems stated it was a "must own" CD. "Impassioned and exhillarating......Antony Cooke survives the challenge brilliantly!": Michale Barone, in his March 25, 2010 review of Cooke's 2009 recording of the Kodaly Solo Sonata, for Minnesota Public Radio Classical Show.

Amongst reviews regarding Cooke’s published astronomical writings, Astronomy Now (May 2004) remarked that Cooke’s ‘Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs’ (2003) is “a must buy for the city astronomer”, while Southern Stars (Vol. 43 (1), March 2004) stated that it “should be considered an essential for today’s amateur who has to endure light pollution." Regarding ‘Visual Astronomy under Dark Skies’ (2005), the Journal of the Auckland Astronomical Society 2005 stated, “highly recommended for visual observers who want to push their eyeball observing to the limit”.

Assistant Professor of Cello at University of South Florida (1974—80). Associate Professor of Cello at Northwestern University School of Music (1980—84), Chicago.

Henry Mancini Institute at UCLA (1997—2006).

• Antony Cooke: The Solo Cello. Works by Zoltán Kodály, Aram Khachaturian, Alan Hovhaness and Richard Arnell (Centaur 2010)

• The Power of the Cello. Works by Khachaturian, Kodály, Elizabeth Maconchy & Kessler (Resort Classic 1997)

• Johannes Brahms: Three Sonatas for Cello and Piano. (Centaur 2011) * upcoming release

• Homage to Chopin. Frédéric Chopin: Cello Sonata & misc. (Centaur 2008)

• Ludwig van Beethoven: The Complete Works for Cello and Piano (Centaur 2002)

• Sergei Rachmaninoff: Sonata in G minor, Op. 19; Dmitry Kabalevsky: Sonata, Op. 71 (Resort Classic; re-released Centaur 1999)

• Splendors of the 20th Century. Works by Ludwig Thuille, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Paul Hindemith (Resort Classic; re-released Centaur 1997)

• Hungarian Music for Cello and Piano. Works by Ern? Dohnányi, Béla Bartók, Jen? Hubay, Kodaly (Resort Classic; re-released Centaur 1995)

• Music for Cello and Wind Orchestra (Golden Crest 1978)

• Music for Cello and Percussion. Works by David Baker and Niccolò Paganini (Golden Crest 1983)
• Antony Cooke Centaur Records Library

• Make Time for the Stars ISBN 978-0-387-89340-2(Springer 2009)
• Visual Astronomy under Dark Skies ISBN 978-1-85233-901-2(Springer 2005)

• Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs ISBN 978-1-85233-707-0(Springer 2003)

• Western Overture (Kendor 1979)

• Herculaneum (Kendor 1979)

• Variation on an English Air (Studio P/R 1985)

• Fantasia on a Traditional Australian Melody (Studio P/R 1985)

• Outback Work Song (Studio P/R 1986)

• Spirit of the Land (Studio P/R 1986)

• Hungarian Dance (Kjos, adapt/arr. 1990)

• Wings (music for NBC TV series; theme adapt/arr Schubert 1991)

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