First chair of historical performance in UK? (No, it isn’t)

First chair of historical performance in UK? (No, it isn’t)

News

norman lebrecht

April 21, 2023

The Royal Academy of Music has just created what it says is the first Chair of Historical Performance at a UK conservatoire.

The chair is funded by Sir Martin Smith and Lady Smith OBE through the Martin Smith Foundation and is named for Lady Smith’s mother Elise Granbery Becket. Professor Margaret Faultless, Head of Historical Performance at the Academy since 2012, has been named to the Chair.

UPDATE: Contrary to the Academy’s claim, the Royal College of Music tell us that Ashley Solomon has been Chair of Historical Performance at the RCM since 2014. So there.

Comments

  • Pianofortissimo says:

    A faultless appointment, at last!
    🙂

  • Anthony Sayer says:

    Names after, not for.

  • Paul Dawson says:

    Quite astonishing that their ‘first’ claim was so easily debunked. Someone’s head should roll.

  • Vinum bonum says:

    The Academy’s press release says ‘first ENDOWED Chair’ (my capitals).

  • Kirsty MacDonald says:

    This is indeed the first endowed Chair in Historical Performance. There are lots of named chairs around, but not endowed ones. This is a first.

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