R.I.P. Dr Richard Marlow, former Director of Music, Trinity College, Cambridge

[Guest]

A modest man of great musical talent with a passion for perfect tuning, 'clean' lines and putting the music before individual musicians' personalities.

Press release states: "It is with regret that I announce that Dr Richard Marlow, Fellow of the College, and former Director of Music, passed away yesterday morning,
Sunday 16th June, in the Arthur Rank Hospice, after a long illness. The funeral will be private. Details of a memorial service will be announced when known."

[Contre Bombarde]

A true gentleman, a dear friend and a huge inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

May he rest in peace.

[ardcarp]

He had a long and distinguished 'reign' at Trinity and left several fine recordings. He was noted for expecting a very pure, treble-like sound from his soprano choral scholars. RIP, RM.

[Dave2002]

Some details of Richard's life are given here.

[jonfan]

I bought the recording of Parry's Songs of Farewell in 1988 and was hooked immediately. Subsequently I bought everything they recorded on the Conifer label; not a dud among them. The Faure Requiem is amongst the strongest in the catalogue as are the Durufle Motets [a pity the Requiem was never recorded as far as I know]. Dr Marlow's style eschewed ego. You felt the composer's music was in safe hands. The blend, intonation and ensemble was a joy to listen to and the result was always beautiful. He devoted as much care to the singing of hymns as to more complex music. I have a disc of spine-tingling double descants. There were many Evensongs on the radio, but chiefly the Epiphany Carol Service broadcast was always a blessed relief after the Christmas carols were out of the way with its fresh settings and changing liturgy.
A desert island choice would be Victoria's Lamentations and Tenebrae Responsories. Sublime.
RIP Richard Marlow and thank you.

[mopsus]

His Trinity chant book contains many intriguing and very singable chants which are centos of well-known choral pieces and can be used in services alongside music by their composers. (Somehow they also managed to have his own stylistic imprint on them too).

[cjba]

RKM Durufle Requiem

Richard Marlow's recording of the Duruflé Requiem with the Trinity Choir is available on Chandos, CHAN 10357 and on various download sites.

Yours,

Christopher Allsop

I bought the recording of Parry's Songs of Farewell in 1988 and was hooked immediately. Subsequently I bought everything they recorded on the Conifer label; not a dud among them. The Faure Requiem is amongst the strongest in the catalogue as are the Durufle Motets [a pity the Requiem was never recorded as far as I know]. Dr Marlow's style eschewed ego. You felt the composer's music was in safe hands. The blend, intonation and ensemble was a joy to listen to and the result was always beautiful. He devoted as much care to the singing of hymns as to more complex music. I have a disc of spine-tingling double descants. There were many Evensongs on the radio, but chiefly the Epiphany Carol Service broadcast was always a blessed relief after the Christmas carols were out of the way with its fresh settings and changing liturgy.
A desert island choice would be Victoria's Lamentations and Tenebrae Responsories. Sublime.
RIP Richard Marlow and thank you.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Richard Marlow's recording of the Duruflé Requiem with the Trinity Choir is available on Chandos, CHAN 10357 and on various download sites.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000AV622Y/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&qid=1371576015&s=music&sr=8-1

[jonfan]

Richard Marlow's recording of the Duruflé Requiem with the Trinity Choir is available on Chandos, CHAN 10357 and on various download sites.

Yours,

Christopher Allsop

Many thanks, don't know how I've missed it.

[Wolsey]

I remember with warmth one particular harmony class with him in his rooms; we'd all prepared our continuations of the opening of a Fauré song which he'd provided in the previous session. I imagine that the class was going well, because he brought the session to a halt for a few moments to offer us all a glass of sherry from the decanter on the nearby table. The remaining minutes of that hour lent the remaining Fauré pastiches a particular bloom... R.I.P.