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1. 

   Monica McCabe on August 12, 2021 at 9:19 pm

   Stephen Wilkinson, long-time conductor of the BBC Northern Singers – until they were terminated – and also of the William Byrd Singers, was not only a splendid musician but a wonderfully ebullient character. He was a great supporter of British composers, and gave premieres of works by Peter Dickinson, Nicholas Maw, Walton, Kenneth Leighton, John Joubert, Richard Rodney Bennett, Judith Bingham and John, among many others. The two works of John’s that he premiered he also arranged as commissions. Probably many of his other premieres were also commissions set up by him. Stephen gave every appearance of being immortal. I saw him at a concert organised by the indefatigable John Turner, to celebrate his centenary. Stephen was stomping around with enormous and unquenchable vigour, and gave a marvellous impromptu speech on that occasion. A remarkable man.

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