Margot MacGibbon

Margot MacGibbon
Born(1906-03-13)13 March 1906
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Died4 September 1998(1998-09-04) (aged 92)
London, England, UK
Alma materRoyal Academy of Music
Occupation(s)Violinist; teacher
Known forThe MacGibbon Quartet (founder and leader)
SpouseFrederick Jackson (married 1931)

Margot MacGibbon (13 March 1906 – 4 September 1998)[1] was an Australian violinist and teacher, who was in the "top echelons" of chamber musicians.[1] Her MacGibbon string quartet existed for almost 50 years.[1][2]

Early life

Margot MacGibbon was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia on 13 March 1906.[1] As a child, she received lessons from her aunt in both piano and violin, before settling on the latter and performing solo in local concerts.[1]

In 1927, MacGibbon was awarded an Associated Board Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London.[1] She studied violin with Spencer Dyke, piano with Frank Britton, and harmony with Harry Farjeon.[1] Later, she studied under the pianist Clifford Curzon, and violin with Sascha Lasserson.[1][3] While at the academy, she won a number of prizes, and while still a student was made sub-professor in ensemble playing.[1]

In 1931 she married Frederick Jackson, who she had met while at the Royal Academy of Music.[1] Jackson was a pianist and choirmaster.[1] Following their marriage, the couple toured Europe, Australia, and New Zealand - described as "musically inseparable".[1] He died in 1972, while conducting a performance.[1]

Career

MacGibbon formed her string quartet in 1936, going on to perform regularly around the UK, and frequently broadcast on the BBC.[1][4] The MacGibbon Quartet gave regular concert series at London's Conway Hall from 1936 to 1969.[5] As well as in her own quartet, MacGibbon performed many times with others over the course of her career, including with well-known ensembles such as the English Chamber Orchestra.[1]

She was a founding member of the London Mozart Players under Harry Blech.[1] Blech praised MacGibbon as an excellent player, saying: “I always liked to have her near the front".[2]

The Musical Times wrote that:

For Margot MacGibbon, versatility was both a professional strength and source of personal pride; but perfectionism of craft was no less central to her approach music.[5]

In 1979, MacGibbon co-founded The Sascha Lasserson Memorial Trust, serving on the panel of adjudicators for the international Lasserson Memorial Violin Competition.[1][6][2]

Margot MacGibbon continued playing into her nineties, even after suffering a stroke.[1] She still taught, and prepared pupils for exams, at the age of 90.[2]

She died in London on 4 September 1998.[1] The Times remembered her as "a musician of formidable character, and natural talent", and "a tiny, colourful and complex person".[2] In 1999, the Margot MacGibbon Award for an Australian violinist was established at the Royal Academy of Music, in her memory.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Obituary: Margot MacGibbon". The Independent. 1998-09-25. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Margot MacGibbon". The Times. 7 October 1998. p. 23.
  3. ^ Sascha Lasserson: Portrait of a Teacher. London: Kahn and Averill. 2005. ISBN 978-1-871082-83-8.
  4. ^ "BBC Programme Index". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk. 1954-02-20. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  5. ^ a b "Margot MacGibbon". The Musical Times. 139 (1865): 7–7. 1998. ISSN 0027-4666.
  6. ^ "The Sascha Lasserson Memorial Trust". The Times. 24 October 1987. p. 12.
  7. ^ 2003-2004 Prizes And Scholarships Winners Royal Academy of Music. 2004.