This piece is dedicated to the memory of a friend, John Gould, who died on November 21st in 2023.  John was a violinist and viola player of the first rank. I met him when I was eighteen: we sat at the first desk of violas in the Australian Youth Orchestra in Sydney. Our friendship and musical collaboration persisted over sixty-four years until his death. The friendship culminated in my writing a viola concerto for John, just a few years ago.  We performed it in Canberra, John playing the solo, myself conducting with his Maruki Community Orchestra.  John had the distinction of having attended, as member of staff, twenty-two Riverina Summer Schools in succession.  He planned to be at another this year, 2024: that was not to be. The Camerata's concert season this year has been dedicated to his memory.

Elegy In Memory Of A Lost Friend

Melvyn Cann