2 Comments

1. 

   Ian Bailey on October 4, 2025 at 3:56 pm

   Hi Colin,

   I knew Len firstly via the Committee of the FRMS (Federation of Recorded Music Societies) but subsequently, somewhat better, acting as a reviewer for MusicWeb for several years in the ‘noughties’.

   He worked remarkably hard to realise his vision for the site, alongside his great friend and colleague Rob Barnett. The result has become a marvellous resource, not just for reviews of recorded and live music, but for a variety of information about composers and compositions. It is particularly strong on the music of the British Isles, as this was an area he and Rob particularly appreciated.

   The results are often sourced from acknowledged experts and can be of great value in research. For example Len and his team recently secured the services of Alan George, long time viola player of the Fitzwilliam Quartet, who has contributed among other gems, fascinating insights into the Shostakovich Quartets. The Fitzwilliams of course met and worked briefly with the composer, as well as recording a complete cycle for DECCA.

   Meanwhile on the review front, in some 30 years since its inception the site has amassed over 60,000 reviews, and has become one of the ‘go-to’ sites for such information….as well as Classical Source of course !

   It was great to meet up with Len and his wife Barbara at several ‘MusicWeb Lunches’ which Len graciously hosted near his home in Coventry. They were always a happy few hours of conversation, swopped stories and experiences…as well and companionship.
   and good food !!

   Len will be much missed by all who knew him, but I’m sure his creation is safe in the hands of his good friends and colleagues…… such as John Quinn and Jonathan Woolf….I wish them well.

   Finally, as to age…I believe Len was 83…but I’m open to correction.

   RIP Len.

   Reply
2. 

   Ian Bailey on October 4, 2025 at 4:06 pm

   Apologies Colin,

   The sentence at the end of the penultimate paragraph should read……. “swopped stories and experiences…as well as companionship and good food” NOT “as well and companionship”.

   Slip of the typing finger…anno domini ?

   Reply

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