Nicolas Cock-Vassiliou is Principal Oboist of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony (Hr-Sinfonieorchester). Born in Paris, he began playing the oboe at the age of eight and later continued his studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) with Jacques Tys, as well as David Walter and Maurice Bourgue for chamber music.
He was awarded Second Prize at the “Fernand Gillet–Hugo Fox” International Competition of the International Double Reed Society (USA).
Before joining the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Nicolas served as Principal Oboe of the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire (2007–2010) and gained early orchestral experience with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra and the Zurich Opera Orchestra Academy. His approach to historically informed performance was deeply shaped by his encounters with Marcel Ponseele and Alfredo Bernardini.
As a guest principal oboist, he has performed with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, the Budapest Festival Orchestra, the Bamberg Symphony, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, collaborating with conductors such as Pierre Boulez, Claudio Abbado, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
Beyond his orchestral career, Nicolas is a dedicated educator, teaching at the Orchestra Academy of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony and leading masterclasses in Germany and Switzerland. He also serves on juries and coaches youth and professional orchestras across Europe.