David Bedford (1937-2011)
A tribute by Crouch End Festival Chorus
musical director David Temple
David Bedford was part of my musical life for almost 40 years and so I cherish both my musical relationship with him and also our friendship. I cannot think of anyone in the music world who has been more encouraging to me, my choirs and my work. This generosity of spirit is what set him apart from most.
I first saw David in the late months of 1972 when he came along to a London Philharmonic Choir rehearsal of his Star Clusters, Nebulae and Places in Devon. He would have been 35 and I was 18. Until then I did not know that there were such things as living composers! He turned up on crutches (after a motorbike accident I think), looking very impressive in his leathers – every bit a cool rock star – nothing like my idea of a composer. It would then be another 10 or so years before I met him again and plucked up the courage to speak to him. He was so wonderfully approachable and this led to many years of musical (and some social) collaborations.
I was immensely proud to read the mention of The City and the Stars commission in the Guardian obituary of David. Crouch End Festival Chorus also commissioned I am Going Home with Thee (now called A Charm of Rest) and we also worked together on the Beach Boys extra songs for Hertfordshire Chorus. Perhaps my highlight of our collaboration was recording Twelve Hours of Sunset with CEFC and the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the NMC label a few years back. Jane Ray (my wife) was commissioned to illustrate the CD cover.
Ironically, I was revisiting all of these works with a view to David’s 75th birthday next year. I am sure something will happen though – watch this space.
As a family, we also have memories of relaxing on the lawn with David, Alison and his children at Dartington, fighting off the wasps!
It was a both an honour and privilege to know him and work with him. The world is a lesser place with his passing.
Read the David Bedford obituary in The Guardian
Photo: George Wilson/Alamy