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Tribute to Richard Hickox
Everyone at CLS was very sad to hear of the death of CLS Founder and Music Director Richard Hickox in November 2008. If you have any thoughts, memories or tributes to Richard you would like to share, please send them to us at info@cls.co.uk and we will post them here.
I feel privileged to have worked with and for Richard for the last 15 years. He was a pleasure to work with - always organised, always prepared and with an eye for detail that made even my anally-retentive and paranoid brain seem slow and lumbering at times. His one failing was that he never forgot what had been discussed or agreed. Even if it was 12 months earlier, you could never persuade Richard that he had agreed to something he hadn't! We managers hate our arrangements being changed, particularly at the last minute, but you could never disagree with Richard. He would smile gently and say "We really have to do it this way, for the music", and that, to me, sums up his life and work. Elaine Baines Robins - General Manager, CLS
Richard was a genuinely nice bloke, a fact I realised as soon as I joined the Orchestra. I kept coming back to play for him for over 20 years because, whatever else, it was always fun making music with him. When he was here, he was a larger-than-life figure. Now he's gone, there's a larger-than-life empty space. Steve Tees - Viola, CLS
Looking back, I consistently found myself playing my heart out for Richard, as he unfailingly seemed to conduct his heart out for us. Somehow, before a solo that in another conductor's hands may have loomed ominously, I always felt that Richard trusted me entirely to play beautifully and that his positive expectation induced a great confidence in me at all times. Richard's energy, commitment and enthusiasm always burst through the door at the start of any rehearsal (albeit at the very last minute) and remained tirelessly to the very last note of the project. The sincerity and warmth that he brought to all his music-making was only matched and equalled in his friendships. I personally do not anticipate or expect ever to repeat the wonderful partnership and conductor/player relationship that Richard had with all his colleagues. At least I have all the wonderful memories. Karen Jones - Principal Flute, CLS
Richard and I both went to the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe and became quite friendly. Whilst I was interested in music, he was already completely hooked. The RGS Head of Music, James Dawes, was very progressive and put on several concerts in which we participated - Messiah, St Nicholas and, the one Richard found most exciting, Balshazzar's Feast. I recall that he took his organ exams and, at 15, was the youngest ARCO in the country. Obviously we all suffered teenage illnesses and the one we feared the most was the dreaded mumps. In the event, Richard was the one who caught the virus and the rest of us escaped. When he returned to school, we were keen to know how bad it was. I still remember exactly what he said and, suffice to say, the word 'oranges' was used in his reply! Apart from Richard playing the organ at Kings Sutton church near Banbury on the occasion of my wedding in 1971, we had no further contact, although I was well aware of his rise in the classical music world. We finally met again in 2000 when I went backstage after a Snape Prom concert. He also introduced me to Stephen Carpenter, then General Manager of CLS. Our company - Viking Optical Ltd - has a long-term contract with the RSPB and, through my renewed acquaintance and subsequent regular contact with both Richard and Stephen at CLS concerts, the idea of a concert for the benefit of the RSPB at Snape Maltings was born. The first concert took place in 2002 and it has now become an important annual event for the RSPB, Aldeburgh Music and the CLS. Unfortunately, because of the time of year, Richard was only available to conduct the 2005 concert, which was so wonderful we still talk about it. I know he improved and enriched the lives of everyone with whom he came into contact and, although I did not meet him very often, he certainly enriched mine and I shall miss him very much. I am so glad that we were able to renew our acquaintance and will always be grateful for his enthusiasm and encouragement - a catalyst for turning a silly idea of mine into an annual event, which in turn has enriched the lives of thousands of other people. Richard Bonnett - Supporter and long-term friend of CLS
Richard had a wonderful presence, an intangible quality, which I found always made a concert special both for the musicians and audience alike. He infected us with his enthusiasm and love of the music, inspiring us to play well. I know he cared deeply about the orchestra and each of the players which in turn has earned him great loyalty and affection. There is a real sense of loss at the moment but I am certain we are all determined to continue making music together that Richard could be proud of. Jane Cawardine - Principal 2nd Violin, CLS
Richard was a force of energy; like a whirlwind he entered my life in a garden at the Endellion Festival over a plate of home-cooked lasagne. I felt I was a mere music student but he put me at ease and warmly welcomed me to the fold. His enthusiasm was infectious: I played there for the next eleven years! He made me feel that my contribution was irreplaceable. Richard made things happen. He had the vision, the dedication, the drive, the tenacity and an uncanny knack of inspiring others into action. Since then I have been a member of CLS for nine years and have had the privilege of making music with Richard on numerous occasions. I have appreciated his outstanding feel for the dramatic pace within music and his ability to give just the right amount of space for the 'big moments'. Richard was unashamedly passionate - oh, I loved that! All musicians have a memory chip that stores only the really special musical moments of their career. For me, giving three performances of 'Peter Grimes' at Endellion with Richard is at the top of the list. Despite my resolution to stay professionally objective, I could not fail to weep each night as Richard unerringly captured the emotional essence of the music. It was utterly magical and even the memory of it gives me goose bumps. I feel so bereft of experiencing further musical adventures with Richard and enjoying his friendship, but no doubt he will be inspiring the heavenly choirs to sing with even greater passion! Joely Koos - Cello, CLS
I heard, with great sadness, at orchestra rehearsal here in Wellington, New Zealand, about the sudden death of Richard Hickox. I was fortunate enough to play in a chamber group in Buckinghamshire many years ago now which had, by virtue of a local businessman, the privilege to have Richard visit and conduct us. It remains a major highlight of my life. He was so patient and extremely diligent with us. My thoughts are with his family and CLS at this very difficult time. Our daughter is an ambitious young orchestral conductor. Richard will surely be an enduring inspiration to such rising would-be stars. Kim New
I was as shocked as anybody to hear of Richard's death. It was totally unexpected. I knew him personally because I sang in the London Symphony Chorus for 13 months in the early 80s. Therefore most of what has been written or said about Richard since his death I know to be true. He WAS warm and friendly, yet he set high standards for the choir, as well as being an inspiration and came out with constructive criticisms during rehearsals. In January 1988 I also auditioned, albeit unsuccessfully, for what became the City of London Sinfonia Singers and he was nice, friendly and jokey then. Stephen Jackson, conductor of the BBC Symphony Chorus, was right. Every time I met Richard, I, too, felt better, no matter how good my mood was before. I can't believe he's gone. I wish I'd known him for much longer but I console myself with the thought that it is better to have known him, if only for a short while, than never to have known him at all. My thoughts are with his family. Judy Daniels - Former Member, London Symphony Chorus
I first met Richard in 1977 at the Endellion Festival when I came back to live in England after several years of studying and playing in Belgium and France. When Michael Tillitt and Roger Gaunt gave up conducting there, Louis invited Richard to take over and it has continued to grow and be much loved by audiences and players due to Richard's huge talent, drive and great ability to inspire everyone he touched. I went with my husband and two young girls and it has been life-changing for all of us. Richard invited me to play in what was then the Richard Hickox Orchestra in the days when it was just getting off the ground. For concerts in High Wycombe and Truro, we couldn't really be paid properly but we all played willingly to be part of that special spirit. Fran Hickox always made sure there was a good party afterwards! We returned over the years as Inga and Emma were growing up and were part of Richard's extended family. As well as singing in the choir when they were old enough, Inga became a leading member of the cooking brigade and Emma was inspired to choose a career in performing due the impact Richard had on her. Even my husband became heavily involved in door and carpark duty and, as an accountant, helped the orchestra to balance its books when they couldn't really afford an accountant. I am privileged to still be a member of CLS and have so many inspired and inspiring experiences under Richard's baton. I am a few years older than Richard was and knew the time would come to step back and I imagined the heartfelt letter of thanks I would give to him for all the wonderful years of music-making and friendship. I thought that I would be wishing him well as he became the 'grand old man' of British music. I never could imagine Richard as old and am very sad that that has turned out to be the reality, still almost impossible to believe. It is a huge personal and family loss for us and the extended family that Richard gathered around him. Sincere condolences to his Mum, who was at so many of our concerts, to Fran and Tom, and especially to Pamela, Adam and Abby. Marjorie King - Violin, CLS
I first met Richard when I was asked to play in a St Matthew Passion in the 1971 Wooburn Festival. He was directing a wonderful men and boys' choir at High Wycombe Parish Church. He used to rehearse them to death - he never knew when to stop. When he left, the boys' parents gave him a First Reader: 'How to Tell the Time'. I took over this job in 1972; following him was not easy. I owe him a lot for getting me started in the music profession; I played in the Hickox Orchestra almost from the start. Two concerts particularly stick in my memory - both War Requiems. One was in High Wycombe with the combined forces of the London Symphony Chorus and the Wooburn Singers, and in which my choirboys at the church took part. The other was in Birmingham in 2007 with the National Youth Orchestra, in which my son Jack was playing trumpet. I took Jack to meet Richard afterwards - a moment to treasure. Jack has posted nice comments about Mr Hickox on Facebook. Our hearts go out to his family, especially Pamela, Adam and Abigail. He was a good husband and family man. Recently I played a rehearsal at Richard's flat for the Tavener Requiem, one of the last concerts that Richard conducted. The rehearsal ended early - it was time for Richard to phone Adam and Abigail before they went to school. Al Ross - Harpsichord & Organ, CLS
I felt immense shock and sadness to hear of Richard's sudden death. My heart goes out to Pamela, the children and Richard's Mum and family. CLS has always held a special place in my working life and it was a great privilege to work with Richard. In recent years I recall particularly fond memories of a spectacular performance of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and, of course, of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Opera House. Richard's passion and commitment for music was truly inspiring and he never faltered in his focus to the singing line, he sang everything from his heart and communicated his love of music to us all. I will miss him. Ann Morfee - Violin, CLS
The shock of Richard's cruelly sudden and dreadfully premature death is going to be very hard for us all to overcome. Those hundreds of us who were very fond of him and held him in great affection will never be free of regret for the lost years that he should have had making music and enjoying his family. His buoyant and joyful contribution to our lives is profoundly treasured and the memories of both his incredible, energising musicianship and his susceptibility to the giggles are equally precious. I am very grateful that, at least in the context of the long view, I had the great good fortune that my time coincided with his. He was a lovely, kind man; I will miss him very much. Jo Cole - Cello, CLS
I can't say how shocked and sad I was to hear of Richard's untimely death. I've worked with Richard for the best part of 30 years. I remember the rather unusual setting of the occasion when he offered me a job in CLS. We had just finished a concert in the Festival Hall and we found ourselves in the lift together. There was only just room, as I was eight and a half months pregnant with my first child (nearly 29 now). So in the short distance between the hall and street level I became a member of the friendliest orchestra in London. I can only say the wonderful, welcoming, enthusiastic and lively atmosphere which is so characteristic of CLS has emanated from Richard, whose evident passion and joy at music-making was so infectious. I know that in the future whenever I play one of the many works that I've performed with Richard, I'll be reminded of his warm smile as he willed us to join him in his love of the music and there will be a tear in my eye. Helen McQueen - Oboe, CLS
After almost 30 years of playing for Richard I can't get to grips with the huge hole that is now here. When I played at St Endellion as a student, he was always so encouraging, positive, fun and - of course - passionate about the music. During the many wonderful years in CLS, somehow Richard ran the orchestra as a sort of large family group with dedicated music making and again, laughter and warmth. Like many friends, I know it will take me a very long time to come to terms with Richard's sudden death, and playing certain pieces of music will be terribly sad. He left many wonderful memories and recordings to cherisha and, more than that, he was a lovely man and I already miss him terribly. Katie Heller - Viola, CLS |
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