Loss of an important cellist
mainWe have been informed of the death of Jenny Ward-Clarke, a key (if shy) figure in London’s early music and contemporary music ensembles.
Cellist with Fires of London, and Roger Norrington’s principal with his London Baroque/Classical Players, she was a member of the Salomon String Quartet and taught for decades at the RAM and RCM. ‘A kinder person one would be hard pressed to find,’ says a grieving colleague.
What a dreadful loss. I worked with her in new music ensembles like the Fires of London and original instrument bands. Her thoughtful virtuosity and resilience were the foundations on which so many groups were built. RIP Jenny – you will be greatly missed.
Jenny was indeed gentle, kind and generous, but above all she was immensely musical. She was central in moving period instrument string playing away from the realm of the competent enthusiast into that of the true professional. Generations of string players, whether colleagues or pupils, and indeed the whole period instrument world, have so much for which to thank her. She will be very much missed. Requiescat in pace.