Ernest Woolford

I’m very sorry to have to inform Club members of the death of Ernest Woolford. Ernest died in hospital on Tuesday following a fall. He was ninety nine and had been one of the first members of the Club some twenty years ago. I recall reading about his performances at Liszt Society meetings over fifty years ago, never imagining that I would meet him many years later at a residential Chopin weekend, then at an EPTA conference and, latterly, over several years at the Piano Club. He achieved a level of playing that very few amateurs ever manage and had played many major piano concertos with orchestras as well as much of the solo literature from memory in recitals. Following a stroke a couple of years ago he had to restrict his playing to his left hand alone. I’m sure that those who heard him will always remember the astonishing courage and character displayed in those performances. I’ll post more about Ernest at a later date. His funeral is likely to be in early November. I’ll pass on details when I get them. He will be sorely missed at our meetings.

Simon S.