Richard Hickox Has Died!

[Dundonnell]

I have just read with utter horror of the sudden death of the British conductor Richard Hickox. He was taken ill on Sunday during a recording session in Swansea. He was 60 years old.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7745605.stm

http://www.chandosrecords.blogspot.com/

The loss of Hickox-so soon after the death of Vernon Handley-deals a terrible blow to the cause of British music of which Hickox was a prime exponent. He was also a great choral conductor. He had been the Music Director of Opera Australia.

The work Hickox did for Chandos in recording an enormous quantity of music will be a lasting memorial. His tremendous work on behalf of Vaughan Williams-particularly this past year-was of inestimable benefit to the revival of interest in that composer's music.

I am terribly shocked and very, very sad

[Harry]

That is really bad news!
I have many recordings with him, and I will miss his insights and extensive knowledge of many a unknown composer.

[Florestan]

May God have mercy upon his soul! R.I.P.

[Moldyoldie]

 

[Kullervo]

Very sad. I was actually planning on listening to his recording of Delius's Songs of Farewell today. 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

This is bad, very bad. But I am grateful for what Richard Hickox did. His recorded legacy will be there for decades to come.

[Dundonnell]

I have just gone through my CD catalogue. I have 98 cds conducted by Hickox. William Alwyn, Malcolm Arnold, Lennox Berkeley, Frank Bridge, Benjamin Britten, Edward Elgar, Herbert Howells, Gustav Holst, John Ireland, VW, the complete Edmund Rubbra series(Rubbra is one of my favourite composers)...the list goes on!

I know that there are a few Hickox recordings still to be issued, including Vol. 3 of the music of Kenneth Leighton.

As Johan has said, he leaves a legacy that will indeed live on.

[The new erato]

Rubbra is one of my favourite composers.....

Goes for me as well. Hickox did fine work on behalf on Rubbra as well as other Britisk composers.

[Bulldog]

I have just gone through my CD catalogue. I have 98 cds conducted by Hickox. William Alwyn, Malcolm Arnold, Lennox Berkeley, Frank Bridge, Benjamin Britten, Edward Elgar, Herbert Howells, Gustav Holst, John Ireland, VW, the complete Edmund Rubbra series(Rubbra is one of my favourite composers)...the list goes on!

I have 47 Hickox CDs and love each of them.

[Gurn Blanston]

And not to forget, his Complete Masses of Haydn, by far my favorite of the 4 sets I have. 60 years old: far too young 

[vandermolen]

This is terrible news, especially on top of the death of Vernon Handley; a double disaster for British music.  Ironically I contacted Chandos last week to ask when they would be completing the Hickox VW symphony cycle.  The answer is never. Very sad. I am only pleased that I was there for his wonderful performance of VW's 'Pilgrim's Progress' in the Summer and at his concert in London of VW symphonies 5,6,9 and the Tallis Fantasia in early November. I will always remember these concerts, especially the Pilgrim's Progress which was about the most moving performance of any work that I have seen.

[david johnson]

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I am only pleased that I was there for his wonderful performance of VW's 'Pilgrim's Progress' in the Summer and at his concert in London of VW symphonies 5,6,9 and the Tallis Fantasia in early November. I will always remember these concerts, especially the Pilgrim's Progress which was about the most moving performance of any work that I have seen.

In retrospect you really have been privileged, Jeffrey. Two experiences to treasure.

[vandermolen]

In retrospect you really have been privileged, Jeffrey. Two experiences to treasure.

Yes Johan, you are absolutely right. I assumed that he would be around for many more years but, retrospectively, those concerts take on a great poignancy.

Review of concert in June:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article4192745.ece

[Harry]

I counted 106 cd's with him as conductor.

[Brünnhilde forever]

Just heard it on NWPR, so sad. 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=conductor+hickox

[bhodges]

This is quite sad news.  I can't belive Hickox was so young!  I have many recordings by him that I love, and assumed there would be many more to come.  A real shame...

--Bruce

[Senta]

Oh no! So sad. And right after Handley - two of the shining lights of British music for so long. I didn't realize he was that young, what a shame.

The body of invaluable work between those two is something to behold, we are lucky to have had them and their advocacy. I'd like to get more Hickox recordings, I have some of his Holst and V-W that is absolutely superb.

It makes me so terribly sad to see musicians of his generation passing away in recent years...

[donaldopato]

A sad day indeed. British music and the whole music world has lost a great advocate and artist.

[Bogey]

Huge loss for the music world  RIP Maestro.