The player of Strange and Ancient Instruments has died
RIPClare Salaman, founder of the Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments, died today. She was just 55 years old.
Clare, who read music at Oxford, played (be her own count) baroque violin, nyckelharpa, hurdy gurdy, Hardanger fiddle, medieval vielle, rebec, viola d’amore, trumpet marine and accordion.
She played in most of the UK’s period instrument orchestras and taught at the Royal College of Music. She led an emsemble for Jonathan Miller in a televised Bach Passion.
Her death was made public on her social-media site.
Grief. I’ve just watched some of the videos and, despite not knowing either Clare or her work, feel bereaved. What a talent, what an artist. Still so young. What a loss. What the hell is going on?
I very much enjoyed my correspondence with Clare regarding her research and extensive projects on the trumpet marine. (My father, Cecil Adkins wrote a two-volume tome on that instrument.) She was such a vibrant person, and I had looked forward to meeting her and hearing the trumpet marine ensemble in person on my next visit to the UK. I was very saddened to hear of her passing and all my condolences to her family, friends and fellow trumpet marine enthusiasts.
An irreplaceable musician and a radiant, wise, wonderful person. We will all miss her so.
I only listen to her, together with Jonathan, every year on this day. That is not much but I love her…never mind.
RIP Clare! And thank you.