Jane Parker-Smith

Jane Caroline Rebecca Parker-Smith (1950–2020) was a British classical organist.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Her obituary in The Guardian said she had "a stellar international career, popular with audiences for her wide-ranging sympathies and jaw-dropping virtuosity".[2]

Jane Parker-Smith
Background information
Born(1950-05-20)20 May 1950
Northampton, United Kingdom
Died24 June 2020(2020-06-24) (aged 70)
London, United Kingdom
Instrument(s)Organ

Personal life and education

Jane Caroline Rebecca Smith was born on 20 May 1950 in Northampton and moved soon after to Hampshire where she was educated at Barton Peveril Grammar School in Eastleigh. She then studied at the Royal College of Music, at first taking piano, cello and harpsichord before changing to the organ.[2] She used the name Parker-Smith professionally from her debut recital aged 20: Parker was her mother's maiden name.[2] She studied under Nicolas Kynaston, organist of Westminster Cathedral, whom she "acknowledged ... as the most important musical influence of her life", and Jean Langlais in Paris.[2]

She married John Gadney (died 2012) in 1996, and became stepmother to three children. She died on 24 June 2020.[2]

Career

Parker-Smith performed at the BBC Proms in 1972.[8]

Select discography

References

  1. David M Cummings, ed. (2000). International Who's who in Music and Musicians' Directory. Routledge. p. 492. ISBN 9780948875533. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Rickards, Guy (30 July 2020). "Jane Parker-Smith obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. "Jane Parker-Smith dead at 70". The Diapason. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. "From the archives: interview with Jane Parker-Smith". Rhinegold. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. "Jane Parker-Smith, virtuoso organist who brought glamour and insight to her playing – obituary". The Telegraph. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. "Obituary: Jane Parker-Smith". www.churchtimes.co.uk. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. "Britse organiste Jane Parker-Smith (70) overleden". orgelnieuws.nl (in Dutch). 26 June 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  8. "Prom 47 19:30 Thu 7 Sep 1972 Royal Albert Hall". BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2021.

Guardian Obit for Jane Parker-Smith


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