FAREWELL TO…
Anner Bylsma Born 1934 Cellist
A hugely influential figure in the music world, Anner Bylsma was more than merely a cellist. A key member of the Dutch Baroque School, he made his name with a 1979 recording of the Bach Cello Suites, the first on a period instrument. For many, that recording was perhaps trumped only by his own re-recording in 1992 – on a Stradivarius and fivestring cello. Obsessive about historical accuracy, the Bach manuscript was, for him, sacrosanct – this was evident not only on disc but also in print, with Bylsma writing a book called Bach, The Fencing Master: Reading Aloud from the First Three Cello Suites in the late 1990s. His solo career followed six years as principal cellist with the Concertgebouw Orchestra (1962-68) and formative years in the same seat for the Danish National Opera orchestra. He formed the chamber group L’archibudelli with his wife, violinist Vera Beths, retiring in 2006.
Ben Johnston Born 1926 Composer
Ben Johnston’s music was as wide-reaching as it was thoughtprovoking. After winning prizes for his compositions at school in Richmond, Virginia – to where he moved from Georgia – his later degree studies were interrupted by the Second World War (he served in the US Navy). He would go on to study formally and informally with the likes of Darius Milhaud, John Cage and Harry Partch, the last of whom took him on as an apprentice. Indeed, Johnston spent much of his time tuning Partch’s myriad home-made instruments and appeared on a number of recordings with him. Partch was a great influence, and Johnston went on to expand upon his microtonal musings and create his own notation systems – albeit for more recognisable instruments. His music spanned many genres, with ten string quartets, works for piano, opera and ballet scores to his credit. Barrington Pheloung Born 1954 Composer
A multi-faceted musician, Barrington Pheloung played drums and guitar growing up in Manly, New South Wales, Australia. He later moved to London where he studied composition and guitar at the
Royal College of Music – the latter with John Williams and Julian Bream. Composing took hold, though, and Pheloung went on to become music director of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre. Scores for stage and screen followed, thanks to an early collaboration with director Anthony Minghella, with Pheloung composing the music for critically acclaimed films such as Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990) and Hilary and Jackie (1998). He will forever be remembered, though, for TV’S Inspector Morse, which ran for 13 years. He went on to score both its sequel and prequel series, Lewis and Endeavour. He was nominated for two BAFTAS during his career.