Interview with Farquhar Wilkinson

Interview with Farquhar Wilkinson, born in Oamaru in 1932. Talks about his musical family, his father teaching music at Dunedin Teachers College, and starting cello lessons aged 5. Discusses music teachers in Dunedin, his early orchestral experience, and deciding to become an orchestral cellist. Describes being accepted as a student in the Royal College of Music, London, aged 17, his experiences there, teachers, fellow students, and concerts he attended. Talks about working with Saddlers Wells Ballet after graduation.

Discusses returning and joining the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Outlines early performances and the impact of conductor James Robertson who arrived in 1954. Mentions memorable performances, flutist Jim Hopkinson, and becoming principal cellist. Talks about conductors John Hopkins and Juan Matteucci and their impact. Comments on difficulties of management for the Orchestra under the Broadcasting Corporation, the need for guest conductors, founding of the National Youth Orchestra and the Orchestral Trainees scheme, influence of regional orchestras and the universities, and support for New Zealand composition. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of resident versus visiting conductors and reflects on the variable standards of conductors during his career. Talks about a six-month break on an orchestral travel bursary, playing with the Allegri Quartet and with orchestras in London and Vienna. Refers to working with the Alex Lindsay String Orchestra in the late 1950s, and to his chamber music activities. Mentions teaching orchestral trainees and the cello section of the National Youth Orchestra. Describes a visit of the orchestra to Seville with conductor Franz Paul Decker.

Talks about his decision to retire from the orchestra after forty years, moving to Waikawa Bay and following his interest in sailing. Refers to returning to the orchestra for a month's season in Auckland, and to working with pianist and arranger Barry Barker in Blenheim and Picton as well as the Nelson Chamber Orchestra. Comments on selling his cello. Describes building a Flemish double Zuckerman harpsicord from a kitset. Mentions a tapestry project, a visit to Cornwall, the William Morris Museum, and the Elgar Society.

Interviewer(s) - John M Thomson

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-020242 - OHC-020243

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.38 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7107.

Search dates: 1932 - 1997

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies LC-010516, LC-010517

Listening copies avaiable at OHLCD-2112 and OHLCD-2113

Digital copies are available in the Library's Reading Room.