Death of a harpsichord king

Death of a harpsichord king

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norman lebrecht

March 23, 2018

The death has been announced of Maurice Cochrane, one of the finest harpsichord and early keyboard technicians. Maurice was the quiet but essential presence behind hundreds of recordings and thousands of concerts given by baroque orchestras, ensembles and soloists. That he was named on so many LPs and CDs was testament to the respect in which his skills were held.

Maurice was married to the harpsichordist Jill Severs. Two of their daughters are professional musicians.

Comments

  • Robert King says:

    One of the greats who started his work at a time when so much to do with period instruments and the renaissance of their technology was still in the hands of remarkable pioneers. Requiescat in pace.

    • Bum Note says:

      He was not RC hence RIP is not appropriate. Are you the fellow who was in the dock at Islington Crown Court a while ago?

    • Laura Cochrane says:

      Thank you for your kind words Robert;
      they are appreciated. We all miss Maurice very much.

      • Margaret Chapman says:

        Hello Laura, I realised after I left my first comment that you were the baby of the family when we were neighbours! I remember making you a soft toy. Best wishes to you all.xx Margaret Chapman

    • Laura Cochrane says:

      Thank you for your kind words Robert, they are much appreciated. We all miss Maurice very much.

    • Laura Cochrane says:

      Many thanks for your kind words Robert. They are appreciated.
      BW
      Laura

  • Rebecca Stell (nee Gale) says:

    Maurice was my paternal grandmother’s brother and she often used to mention him. I must have missed the announcement of his death by mere days. Oddly I was trying to trace family members at about this time as some tidying of family records intrigued me and because my grandmother and grandpa passed on several years ago. Amongst grandma’s photographs, I came across the name ‘Jill Severs’ which rang a bell and later the same day looking for something to play I picked up a Bach harpsichord CD and the name ‘Maurice Cochrane being fresh in my mind caused me to start putting two and two together.

    I knew he was my grandmother’s brother and that the family were very musical. Even as a small child I recognised that music was an integral part of our visits. I don’t play but she did teach me the beginnings of my scales and my sister inherited the piano which is alas somewhat battered! My grandmother often spoke of various family members but sadly my father failed to inherit the same love of classical music or stay in contact with family and it was only later that I picked it up Early Music as part of my own interest in Renaissance history and literature.

    My husband is an Early Music enthusiast and plays violin and lute and his sister worked with both David Munrow and Emma Kirby. I’ve often felt at something of a disadvantage at family gatherings unless the need for sleeve notes or commentary on period detail was required but that my sister in law’s generation would never even have had this rich heritage to draw on without Maurice Cochrane is some consolation for being behind the door when the ability to read sheet music was handed out!

    Wishing Jill and the family belated condolences.

  • Kris Taylor says:

    For the last 21 years of his life Maurice was married to Latife (Franzen Khoury) Cochrane.

  • Laura Cochrane says:

    Many thanks for your kind words Robert- they are appreciated.
    Best wishes
    Laura

    • Paul Young says:

      Hi Laura,
      You probably don’t remember me as my brothers and I were childhood friends with Tom, Lisa and Tanya when you all stayed at Lyng Farm in Redgrave in the 60s/70s. (We also met, briefly, when I had a few viola lessons with Lisa in the 80s).
      Maurice and Jill were unbelievably kind (and tolerant!!) during our many visits.
      My very belated condolences to you (I just spontaneously searched and found this article!) Please extend the same and wish everyone well from me.
      Kindest regards,
      Paul Young

  • David says:

    Sorry to read of Maurice Cochrane’s passing. I was a young boy having my first piano lessons with his mother back in 1970s Romford. I remember his war veteran father Bryce Cochrane and the campaign to save the Argyll & Sutherland Regiment.

  • Margaret Chapman says:

    I was so surprised to find news of Maurice’s death. I was thinking about him and his wife Jill who were our neighbours at Ling Farm, Wortham in about 1968/9. I remembered that Jill’s mother told me that her daughter was Jill Severs who was a harpsichordist I think with the Mozart Players? I remember Tania, Lisa and Tom. We would like to send you all my sincere condolences. Margaret andJohn Chapman

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