A composer is left desolate by the death of both parents

The internationally performed French composer Eric Tanguy has lost both of his parents over the past three weeks, to separate heart attacks. His father, Dr Alain Tanguy, was eminent in cancer research. His mother, Thérèse, raised six children and was active in music education. They opened their home and their hearts to innumerable musicians.

When Eric was just 14, they took him to meet Olivier Messiaen in Caen. Alain later became friendly with Henri Dutilleux, with whom Eric worked closely. Eric says: ‘I have especially strong memories of them attending some of my most special concerts such as the cello concerto with Rostropovich and Seiji Ozawa in 2002 at Carnegie Hall and also the premiere of my last orchestra piece in January at Salle Pleyel with Paavo Järvi.’ One of Alain’s last phone conversations this past week was with Ivry Gitlis.

If you know Eric or the Tanguy family, please send him your sympathies and memories.