Hazel Yarwood

[hmvman]

I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't heard of this lady before I read her obit. One of those unsung backroom people who have contributed to our enjoyment of recordings over the years. R.I.P

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jun/11/hazel-yarwood-obituary

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks for this, hmvman; I hadn't heard of her, either - but the first successful diamond stylus and working on EMI's first Digital recording (Previn's wonderful Debussy disc) deserves greater recognition and appreciation.

[pastoralguy]

[french frank]

I will assume that she is comparatively little known because she retired, it appears, almost 30 years ago. I wonder how many other female sound engineers in that field there were at the time. To be described as "a technical and sonic pioneer", her achievements still "hard to match", is quite a tribute.

[hmvman]

I will assume that she is comparatively little known because she retired, it appears, almost 30 years ago. I wonder how many other female sound engineers in that field there were at the time. To be described as "a technical and sonic engineer", her achievements still "hard to match", is quite a tribute.

I agree with you on that, FF. I've read a number of books and articles on the subject of sound recording and have never seen her name mentioned. Meanwhile, many of the male sound engineers working in classical music recording have become legends in their own right - although, admittedly, they are the balance engineers capturing the sound at the recording sessions rather than the cutting engineers who commit the final master to disc.

[french frank]

I must correct my previous. It was a 'technical and sonic pioneer', not engineer. I misspoke.