Australian pianist in London, RIP

Australian pianist in London, RIP

RIP

norman lebrecht

November 29, 2023

We are sorry to hear of the death of Gwenneth Pryor, aged 80. Well known for solo recordings and recitals, she was the regular accompanist of the clarinetist, Gervase de Peyer, among other orchestra stars.

Gwenneth taught Morley College Advanced Piano Class for many years.

Comments

  • Joel Lazar says:

    RIP. I enjoyed her playing both solo and with de Peyer back in the 1970s.

  • Paul Carlile says:

    Sad news, a fine artist who i heard in two splendid recitals at the QEH in the 1970s. One of these still lives in my memory as among the best of the (excellent) epoch; Beet op 90, Schubert Wanderer, then Debussy Suite Bergamasque and 6 études. Everything seemed to come together at a high point, musically and pianistically. At that time, when one could still meet perfect strangers who talked about the concerts they’d heard, this one was on several peoples lips: “Wasn’t that marvellous!”
    She also gave me my first “live” Medtner (Sonata Minacciosa), an uncommon, even daring choice at that time.
    I had a chance to remind her of these more recently (a gap of about 45(?) years!), at a concert of her Advanced Piano Class at Morley College; she was very touched while remaining very modest.

    Just to note: born 1941, so actually 83!

  • christopher storey says:

    How strange that I should have been thinking only in the last few days about a performance she gave with the Liverpool Mozart orchestra in about 1970 of K503 – the first time I had ever heard the work and not one at that time which attracted many performances at all. A lovely pianist . RIP

  • Paul Carlile says:

    There’s nothing like a good typo; i mean 82!

  • Phillip Sear says:

    So sorry to hear that. She was an excellent and sympathetic teacher at Morley College (she often deputised at another class I attended there in the ’90s) and generously hosted an annual Morley pianists’ party at her lovely north London home. Gwenneth will be greatly missed by many.

  • Sarah Felton says:

    So upset to learn of the loss of our dear cousin Gwenneth, she meant so much to us all and as a fellow musician, such an inspiration. We will miss her very much but we can still listen to her music.

  • Gwyneth Trotman says:

    Privileged to have attended her master classes at Morley and her home. RIP

  • Colin Smithers says:

    Sad to hear about this – attended her Morley College classes in the early-2000’s and she was always very gracious and inspiring in her comments. A great and communicative player as well, I particularly remember her Schumann Carnival which was very touchingly played.

  • Thalia Myers says:

    A belated tribute to a superb musician, excellent pianist and the warmest and most generous of friends.

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