We record with regret the sad death of violinist Ida Haendel (1923 (or 1928) – July 1st 2020. She will be remembered for her masterly performances of the classic violin concertos, including especially the Sibelius, the Britten and the Walton, all of which she played both in public and for the gramophone.
Also, the death of Guitarist Julian Bream (1933 – August 14th 2020) who popularised his instrument to the post-war generation. He will be remembered by BMS members particularly for his work with Benjamin Britten, whose ‘Courtly Dances from Gloriana’ became a best-selling RCA recording in the 60s. Julian (pictured above in 1964) also played lute music by Dowland and others and recorded Elizabethan lute songs with Peter Pears.
Sadly, we also report the death, due to cancer, of the well-known and respected lecturer on music, Terry Barfoot on 12 August 2020. He contributed to books on music history, presided over summer schools at Oxford and was also a frequent reviewer of new recordings. He will be missed by many, especially those whose own musical knowledge was enhanced and enlivened by his own infectious enthusiasm.
Andrew Youdell