Gerald Larner Born 1936 Music critic, writer, librettist

As a chief critic at The Guardian for some 30 years, from 1963, Gerald Larner established himself as one of the country’s most respected music writers. Well-read and famously caustic at times, he spent a further eight years with The Times before working freelance as both critic and music consultant. Away from musical musings in the press, Larner wrote the libretto for John Mccabe’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (1969), and translated Wolf’s Der Corregidor into English. Born in Headingly, Larner’s interest in music saw him take up the flute and piano, which he played in the Leeds Youth Orchestra. After completing National Service with the RAF, he studied modern languages at New College, Oxford, where he began writing reviews for the student paper. Following graduation he taught German at Manchester University, and began contributing to The Guardian. In 1996 he wrote a biography of Ravel, for which he was honoured in France. Other than classical music, Gerald had a passion for art and wine, both of which he collected.