Jean Anderson (musician)

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Jean Anderson
BEM FRAM
Birth nameMargaret Jean Anderson
Also known asMargaret Jean Hunt
Born(1923-02-26)26 February 1923
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died12 August 2020(2020-08-12) (aged 97)
London, England
GenresClassical music
Occupation(s)
  • Pianist
  • professor
Instrument(s)Piano
Spouse(s)
Francis Iveson Robeson Hunt
​
​
(m. 1947; died 1992)​

Margaret Jean Hunt BEM FRAM (née Anderson; 26 February 1923 – 12 August 2020) was a New Zealand-born pianist and professor of music who lived and worked in the United Kingdom from the 1940s.

Early life and family[edit]

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 26 February 1923, Anderson was the daughter of Florence Ruth Anderson (née Vincent) and Oscar Wilfred Breakey Anderson.[1][2][3] Her father was a chartered accountant and sharebroker, later served on the Christchurch City Council, and was a noted floriculturalist.[4] Anderson was educated at St Margaret's College, Christchurch.[5]

In London, Anderson met Francis Iveson Robeson Hunt, whom she had known while a schoolgirl in Christchurch.[6] Hunt was a businessman and violin teacher.[7] The couple's engagement was announced in June 1946,[8] and they wed on 22 February 1947 at St Cuthbert's Church, Earls Court.[9] Their children include the musician Gordon Hunt.[7]

Musical education[edit]

Anderson attended the Royal Academy of Music. In 1947, she was awarded the Prize for Pianoforte Accompaniment by Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.[10] In 1948, she was awarded the Elsie Horne Gift and Albanesi Prize.[11] In 1949, she was awarded the Chappell Pianoforte Prize and Rae Leeming Memorial Prize.[12]

Career[edit]

Anderson was, for a long time, professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music. She adjudicated the Louise Band Prizes in 1978,[13] 1979,[14] 1980[15] and 1985, the Albanesi Prize in 1981,[16] 1982,[17] 1983,[18] and 1986,[19] and the Eric Brough Prize in 1982,[17] 1983,[18] and 1986.[19] In 1985 and 1987, she adjudicated the Claude Beddington Prize, the Vivian Langrish Prize, the Frederick Westlake Prize, and the Cuthbert Whitemore Prize.[20][21] She adjudicated the Leslie England Prize and Lloyd Hartey Prize in 1984,[22] the Edna Bralesford Prizes in 1986,[19] and the Evelyn German Prize in 1987.[21]

Anderson was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2017 New Year Honours, for services to music.[23][24]

Former students[edit]

Anderson's former students include Neil Cowley,[25] Sir John Tavener[26] and Lucy Parham.[27]

In Notes from a Small Soprano, Anderson's former pupil Lesley Garrett describes the influence of her professorship.

"She was the most spirited and lively professor on the entire staff and she understood me better than anyone. Tiny, raven-haired and feisty, she attacked life with the same passionate, electrifying energy that she used when she played the piano and she played wonderfully. She became my unofficial tutor and confidante and is still, to this day, a great friend."[28]

Sarah Balfour, another of Anderson's pupils, describes her lasting impact.

"Jean not only taught me how to play and perform, but I also learnt from her, vital life lessons. All of her teachings will stay with me forever. She towers with strength and wisdom, and is truly inspirational. She handles the turbulence and challenges of life with dignity, poise and composure. She has given me the confidence to succeed and I am indebted to her."[29]

Death[edit]

Anderson died in London on 12 August 2020, at the age of 97.[30] She had been predeceased by her husband, Frank Hunt, in 1992.[31]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Birth search: registration number 1923/13775". Births, marriages & deaths online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Births". The Star. No. 16698. 28 February 1923. p. 1. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via PapersPast.
  3. ^ "Marriage". Lyttelton Times. Vol. 115, no. 16451. 17 January 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via PapersPast.
  4. ^ "Obituary: Mr O. W. B. Anderson". The Press. Vol. 113, no. 33255. 19 June 1973. p. 22. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via PapersPast.
  5. ^ "Old girls of St. Margaret's: distinctions listed by bishop". The Press. Vol. 92, no. 27812. 10 November 1955. p. 2. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via PapersPast.
  6. ^ "Pianist's return to city after 14 years". The Press. Vol. 98, no. 28998. 12 September 1959. p. 4. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via PapersPast.
  7. ^ a b "History of the Larry Slattery Memorial Fund". Larry Slattery Memorial Fund. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Engagement". The Press. Vol. 82, no. 24891. 3 June 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via PapersPast.
  9. ^ "Marriages". The Press. Vol. 83, no. 25144. 27 March 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via PapersPast.
  10. ^ 1947 Prize List Royal Academy of Music. 1947. p. 8 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ 1948 Prize List Royal Academy of Music. 1948 – via Internet Archive.
  12. ^ 1949 July, Prize List, Royal Academy of Music. 1949 – via Internet Archive.
  13. ^ 1978 July, Prize List Royal Academy of Music. July 1978 – via Internet Archive.
  14. ^ 1979 July, Prize List Royal Academy of Music. July 1979. p. 32 – via Internet Archive}.
  15. ^ 1980 July, Prize List Royal Academy of Music. July 1980. p. 18 – via Internet Archive}.
  16. ^ 1981 July, Prize List Royal Academy of Music. July 1981. p. 6 – via Internet Archive}.
  17. ^ a b 1982 July, List Of Prizes, Scholarships And Other Awards Royal Academy of Music. July 1982 – via Internet Archive.
  18. ^ a b 1983 July, List Of Prizes, Scholarships And Other Awards Royal Academy of Music. July 1983 – via Internet Archive.
  19. ^ a b c 1986 Graduation And Prizegiving Royal Academy of Music. 1986 – via Internet Archive.
  20. ^ 1985 Graduation And Prizegiving Royal Academy of Music. 1985 – via Internet Archive.
  21. ^ a b 1987 Graduation And Prizegiving Royal Academy of Music. 1987 – via Internet Archive.
  22. ^ 1984 Graduation And Prizegiving. 1984 – via Internet Archive.
  23. ^ "No. 61803". The London Gazette. 31 December 2016. p. N27.
  24. ^ "New Year Honours in full". The Times. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  25. ^ Lindsay, Bruce (26 April 2010). "Neil Cowley: A Rock and Roll Take on Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  26. ^ Haymes, Brian; Kidd, Richard L. (16 March 2020). Communion, Covenant, and Creativity: An Approach to the Communion of Saints through the Arts. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 9781532668654 – via Google Books.
  27. ^ Spanswick, Melanie (16 December 2012). "Lucy Parham in conversation with Melanie Spanswick". Melanie Spanswick. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  28. ^ Garrett, Lesley (2001). Notes from a Small Soprano. Coronet. p. 64. ISBN 9780340768112 – via Google Books.
  29. ^ "An Interview with Sarah Balfour". Luxury Travel Guide Awards. Corporate LiveWire. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Mrs Margaret Jean Hunt in the England and Wales, death index, 1989–2022". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Francis Iveson Robeson Hunt in the England & Wales, national probate calendar (index of wills and administrations), 1858–1995". Ancestry.com Operations. 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
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