ARichardson

Last updated 01:00, Friday, 28 September 2007

By Anna Richardson

For Keswick Music Society president Joan Sparey, two loves have run constant throughout her life – her family and her music.

This year, the two come together again as the society, of which she and her husband Leslie were founders, celebrates its diamond jubilee this autumn.

Although this year’s programme would impress any classical music aficionado, for Joan it’s especially significant as her two children, now both successful musicians in their own right, are due to perform in honour of their father.

The society was founded shortly after World War Two, when Leslie and Joan, along with a group of fellow Keswick music lovers, decided to revitalise the town’s music scene.

Now 88, Joan says: “Leslie was the one that really got down to founding the music society, but I was always behind him of course. We were a team.

“There were a few concerts after the war but it was fading out and there wasn’t a society as such. Leslie felt we should work together – there should be a central point and have a society, although it was called the music club then.”

Other founders included Keswick fishmonger Percy Todd and music teacher Lesley Hindley, who became secretary. Lady Eleanor Rochdale was also a keen supporter.

The first concert was given in December 1947 and admission cost two shillings, or 10 pence. The club became a success and as well as concerts ran a series of gramophone recitals at Keswick’s Skiddaw Hotel.

The club now boasts more than 170 members and arranges a full and varied programme of classical concerts every year.

This year’s programme kicked off on Sunday, with a performance by the Balsom ensemble featuring acclaimed trumpet player Alison Balsom, who was named Best Young British Performer at last year’s Classical Brit Awards.

This year’s programme also boasts performances from such musical luminaries as mezzo soprano Anna Stephany, the Hermitage String Trio, the Gould Piano Trio, and the Northern Sinfonia, who have performed in the society’s programme every year since 1989. The performance closest to Joan’s heart is bound to be that of the Fitzwilliam Quartet on December 2. Her daughter Carolyn has arranged Wagner’s Mastersinger’s Overture, Leslie’s favourite piece of music, for a string quartet and she and her brother Jonathan will perform it as part the Fitzwilliam Quartet in memory of her father.

Society secretary Gillian Edmonds said: “The Music Society and Keswick owe a hugh debt of gratitude to Leslie and Joan Sparey for having the foresight to start the society, nurturing it over the years and giving their expertise help to the committee.

“It is due to their enthusiasm that the society has continued to be able to bring the most highly talented artists to Keswick. It is not unusual for an artist to have played at the Wigmore Hall in, London on the Saturday, Keswick on Sunday and Paris on Tuesday.

“We look forward to the next 60 years of music making in Cumbria and will always remember Leslie and Joan with gratitude.”

Joan and Leslie, a dentist, first met when she was just 16 and he spotted her performing in London. He tracked her down with the concert programme and managed to wangle an introduction to her through her cousin.

The couple lived in London but came to Keswick for a short break during the war. While they were away their street was bombed, killing some of their neighbours and devastating their home. The couple made the move to Cumbria not long afterwards.

Leslie and Joan, a piano teacher, juggled a busy family life and running a dental practice with the demands of the music society and the organising of concerts.

The musical spell rubbed off on their children and the family began to play together in trios and quartets, with Leslie on cello, Jonathan on violin and Carolyn on viola.

Joan says: “We used to take exams together and the examiners used to say how lovely it was having a family playing together. They were some of our happiest times.”

The couple’s nurturing of their talented offspring paid off – Jonathan is now second violin in the Fitzwilliam Quartet, and Carolyn is principal viola of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Keswick Music Society diamond jubilee season started on Sunday and runs until April next year. The next concert is a performance by American pianist Andrew Brownell who will play pieces by Bach, Chopin and Debussy.

Each season the society also promotes one concert given by local young amateurs as part of its aim to foster an interest in music at an early age. This season’s Local Junior Artists Concert is to be held on March 16. All concerts are held at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake. For full season listings and information on how to book tickets visit http://keswick-music-society.org.uk or call 01768 772 245.