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Hugh Maguire obituary Hugh Maguire obituary
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The violinist Hugh Maguire, who has died aged 86, used his apparently effortless technique not in concertos, but as a leader of top orchestras, as first violin of the Allegri Quartet, and then as a teacher, notably at the Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies at Aldeburgh in Suffolk, where a gentle manner disguised a profundity of musical thinking. In the early part of his career he was leader of the London Symphony and BBC Symphony orchestras, and then in the 1980s of the orchestra of the Royal Opera House. He was also associated with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF) and the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, which he founded.The violinist Hugh Maguire, who has died aged 86, used his apparently effortless technique not in concertos, but as a leader of top orchestras, as first violin of the Allegri Quartet, and then as a teacher, notably at the Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies at Aldeburgh in Suffolk, where a gentle manner disguised a profundity of musical thinking. In the early part of his career he was leader of the London Symphony and BBC Symphony orchestras, and then in the 1980s of the orchestra of the Royal Opera House. He was also associated with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF) and the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, which he founded.
Born into a musical family in Dublin, Maguire was introduced to the violin at six years old by his father, an accomplished tenor who encouraged all six of his children to play instruments. He took lessons with Michael McNamara and at 18, after winning numerous prizes in Ireland, Maguire secured a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London.Born into a musical family in Dublin, Maguire was introduced to the violin at six years old by his father, an accomplished tenor who encouraged all six of his children to play instruments. He took lessons with Michael McNamara and at 18, after winning numerous prizes in Ireland, Maguire secured a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London.
After a stint with the London Philharmonic in 1949, he went to Paris for 10 months to study with the renowned violinist, composer and teacher George Enescu, whose other pupils included Yehudi Menuhin, Ida Haendel and Christian Ferras.After a stint with the London Philharmonic in 1949, he went to Paris for 10 months to study with the renowned violinist, composer and teacher George Enescu, whose other pupils included Yehudi Menuhin, Ida Haendel and Christian Ferras.
In 1952 he was engaged as leader of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under Charles Groves, and in 1956 was appointed leader of the LSO at a difficult time of musician and management relations. Maguire helped to re-establish the orchestra, and the roll call of principals – Roger Lord (oboe), William Waterhouse (bassoon), Barry Tuckwell (horn), with Neville Marriner leading the second violins – included many of the great names of the day.In 1952 he was engaged as leader of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under Charles Groves, and in 1956 was appointed leader of the LSO at a difficult time of musician and management relations. Maguire helped to re-establish the orchestra, and the roll call of principals – Roger Lord (oboe), William Waterhouse (bassoon), Barry Tuckwell (horn), with Neville Marriner leading the second violins – included many of the great names of the day.
In the late 1950s Maguire helped set up the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Marriner. He then relinquished the leadership of the LSO to Erich Gruenberg, going to the BBCSO in 1962. With both orchestras he played the demanding solo part in Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben.In the late 1950s Maguire helped set up the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Marriner. He then relinquished the leadership of the LSO to Erich Gruenberg, going to the BBCSO in 1962. With both orchestras he played the demanding solo part in Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben.
Following his departure from the BBCSO in 1967, he became immersed in quartets and teaching. He led the Cremona Quartet, with Iona Brown – a pupil who went on to direct the ASMF – Cecil Aronowitz (viola) and Terence Weil (cello), and in 1974 relaunched the Melos Ensemble.Following his departure from the BBCSO in 1967, he became immersed in quartets and teaching. He led the Cremona Quartet, with Iona Brown – a pupil who went on to direct the ASMF – Cecil Aronowitz (viola) and Terence Weil (cello), and in 1974 relaunched the Melos Ensemble.
In the 1970s he became the second leader, after Eli Goren, of the Allegri String Quartet, with David Roth, Patrick Ireland and Bruno Schrecker. During this period the quartet were associated with the recording company Argo, and fulfilled their brief to record less mainstream repertoire, with Alexander Goehr's Second Quartet and works by Frank Bridge, William Walton and Elizabeth Maconchy. In 1974, the Allegri made a recording for EMI of the Piano Quintet by Elgar with John Ogdon, and in 1976 went to Dublin to give the first performance of Malcolm Arnold's Second Quartet. From 1983 to 1991 Maguire led the orchestra at the Royal Opera House.In the 1970s he became the second leader, after Eli Goren, of the Allegri String Quartet, with David Roth, Patrick Ireland and Bruno Schrecker. During this period the quartet were associated with the recording company Argo, and fulfilled their brief to record less mainstream repertoire, with Alexander Goehr's Second Quartet and works by Frank Bridge, William Walton and Elizabeth Maconchy. In 1974, the Allegri made a recording for EMI of the Piano Quintet by Elgar with John Ogdon, and in 1976 went to Dublin to give the first performance of Malcolm Arnold's Second Quartet. From 1983 to 1991 Maguire led the orchestra at the Royal Opera House.
His desire to teach and inspire young people became more apparent as he grew older. A regular performer at Aldeburgh in the Benjamin Britten years, especially with his friend Aronowitz, Maguire was invited by Peter Pears in 1978 to take over as director of string studies of the then recently created Britten–Pears school. The aim of his gentle but persuasive teaching was not to change the players' intentions – "though I do interfere mightily" – but to make them clearer to the listener. Maguire's idea was to lead by example rather than control. He thought that good players wanted to find illumination.His desire to teach and inspire young people became more apparent as he grew older. A regular performer at Aldeburgh in the Benjamin Britten years, especially with his friend Aronowitz, Maguire was invited by Peter Pears in 1978 to take over as director of string studies of the then recently created Britten–Pears school. The aim of his gentle but persuasive teaching was not to change the players' intentions – "though I do interfere mightily" – but to make them clearer to the listener. Maguire's idea was to lead by example rather than control. He thought that good players wanted to find illumination.
In 1953 Maguire married the dancer Suzie Lewis, and they had five children. His second wife, Tricia Catchpole, whom he married in 1988, died in February this year.In 1953 Maguire married the dancer Suzie Lewis, and they had five children. His second wife, Tricia Catchpole, whom he married in 1988, died in February this year.
• Hugh Maguire, violinist, born 2 August 1926; died 14 June 2013• Hugh Maguire, violinist, born 2 August 1926; died 14 June 2013
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