Choir maestro Malcolm dies

BY ANDREW M BROWN ONE OF THE MOST influential and visionary choirmasters of the 20th century, George Malcolm, former Organist and Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, died last Friday aged 80. The energetic virtuoso harpsichordist and conductor was appointed to the cathedral in 1947 by Cardinal Griffin.
There, with his intuitive understanding of boys' voices, he introduced a robust, unprecious kind of singing which had a far-reaching influence. Benjamin Britten dedicated his Missa Brevis to Malcolm. After hearing the Westminster choir, Britten had written to him praising the "staggering brilliance and authority" of the choir.
Mr Malcolm, who was educated at Wimbledon College, Balliol and the Royal
College of Music, made an outstanding recording of Victoria's Tenebrae Responsories and exuberant, bestselling Brandenburg Concertos and Art of Fugue by Bach. During the 1960s and 1970s he became one of the first international stars of the harpsichord. He also recorded work by Britten, Purcell, Handel and Poulenc and composed fine liturgical music.
Only last year, George Malcolm conducted a promenade concert at the Royal Albert Hall. James O'Donnell, current Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral, paid tribute last week to Mr Malcolm's "brilliance" and said he was always kind and encouraging to young musicians. "He was one of the greats. His style is still detectable in the Cathedral today," said Mr O'Donnell.