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1. 

   Ates Orga on December 28, 2021 at 12:36 am

   Christopher Axworthy writes:

   Sidney Harrison often used to talk about two of his prize students at the Guildhall just after the war – Norma Fisher and the mature Canadian Malcolm Troup. He boasted that Malcolm had married a Chilean princess which did not surprise him in the slightest, as he had quite a unique character. His daughter Wendela confirmed that today in her moving eulogy, where she described him on his last journey, with a wink, asking for a glass of champagne. Champagne was offered to all those present in the vestry after the service, as a loving gesture from his family – Malcolm undoubtedly enjoying every moment of it too.

   I took refuge in the nearby Coach and Horses to write a few heartfelt words. What a life!

   Many years later Sidney boasted about another student of his, a graduate from the RAM, who went on to build and run a theatre/concert hall in Rome with his famous Italian wife Ileana Ghione. She had been his pupil in Siena. He rarely returned to England for almost thirty years. It was not until the 80’s that Ileana and I were invited to the Troup house in Gloucester Road to attend a private recital for EPTA given by the renowned Italian pianist Marcella Crudeli. Finally I got to meet Malcolm and his adorable wife Carmen. Malcolm and I became colleagues and I would often see him at the annual recitals of our mutual friend Alberto Portugheis. I remember one memorable occasion when Malcolm sat, unshakable, like the perfect gentleman he was, during an unforgettable performance of the Liszt Sonata with nine fingers – the tenth had a trigger in it!

   His lovely wife died and he somehow never forgave himself that they had been on a holiday just before, which he thought had tired her unnecessarily. My wife died too – on stage – and Malcolm and I became friends.

   Today I said goodbye to a friend with the celestial sounds of the Fauré Requiem in the sumptuous surroundings of Farm Street Church, Mayfair. It had been a haven for him and his wife during their many years together. This Christmas, they are united again.

   23 December 2021, 4pm

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