7.00 for 7.30pm Partners Evening Reminiscences of Kathleen Ferrier

Reminiscences of Kathleen Ferrier

The Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society was awarded to 34 musicians in the second half of the twentieth century. They included Stravinsky, Menuhin, Britten, Shostakovich, Kodály, Rostropovich, Messiaen, Tippett, von Karajan, Segovia, Lutoslawski, Bernstein, Fischer-Dieskau, Solti, Arrau, Janet Baker, Haitink, Boulez and, shortly before her death in 1953 at the age of 41, Britain’s own Kathleen Ferrier.

Kathleen goes down therefore in history as one of the most distinguished musicians of our time, despite not living long enough to reach her prime on the concert platforms of the world.

Many Rotarians will have heard her sing on the radio or on recordings, and may be interested to hear about the person behind the music.

David Heather is the son of Kathleen’s first cousin, whom he knew well as a family member until she died when David was twelve. After supper on 30^th August, David will be speaking about the very real, unpretentious, irreverent and mischievous person behind the music.