John Steane RIP

[verismissimo]

Encyclopedic knowledge of singers and singing, coupled with boundless enthusiasm and an ability to communicate second to none.

With the loss in recent times also of Patrick O'Connor and Alan Blyth, a real void exists for us.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

We recall the long-lasting "The Gramophone and the Voice" in the magazine of a similar name. Invariably I read it from end to end.

[Alison]

That's really sad. Always enjoyed John's writing even if I wasnt interested in the music under review.

One of the old school. RIP.

[Eudaimonia]

His works opened up a whole other world to me...RIP.



Wasn't it thrilling to pore over this great work and hunt down the masterworks he described so vividly? Sort of a bible, really.

[Op. XXXIX]

Encyclopedic knowledge of singers and singing, coupled with boundless enthusiasm and an ability to communicate second to none.

Well said! I used to look forward to his reviews in Gramophone. Even if I wasn't particularly interested in the music he was reviewing, I just enjoyed reading what he had to say and how he said it.

His knowledge of past singers amazed me, then he could turn around and review an Anglican Church music CD with the same authority. Some of his most entertaining reviews were of opera DVDs!

Good night, John. RIP.

[Chris Newman]

I am sure that if JS were not a singing teacher he knew more about the ways that the human voice produced beautiful sounds than anyone else on this planet.

R.I.P.

[amateur51]

His works opened up a whole other world to me...RIP.



Wasn't it thrilling to pore over this great work and hunt down the masterworks he described so vividly? Sort of a bible, really.

Sort of a bible? You said it, babycakes!

[amateur51]

Well said! I used to look forward to his reviews in Gramophone. Even if I wasn't particularly interested in the music he was reviewing, I just enjoyed reading what he had to say and how he said it.

His knowledge of past singers amazed me, then he could turn around and review an Anglican Church music CD with the same authority. Some of his most entertaining reviews were of opera DVDs!

Good night, John. RIP.

I completely agree. It was truly a privilege to read his opinions and his learned views couched in such wonderful prose.

I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times at Wigmore Hall - he was a connoisseur who gave of his time and expertise with great generosity and enthusiasm.

A wonderful light has gone out but his works live on

[Barbirollians]

Sad news and just about the last good reason to read Gramophone gone.

[Alain Maréchal]

He added to his encyclopaedic knowledge and many years of listening the ability to place any live or recorded performance in context, and devise a considered opinion, rather then one based solely on the immediate effect of the performance. Considered, well-written opinions are at a premium, and I wonder if there is anybody who could now, or ever again, match him in that.

[gradus]

Well-informed, a lucid writer and an engaging speaker from whom one learnt a great deal. I can't think of any obvious successor but hope that someone with his breadth of experience and understanding of singing appears soon.