FROM THE DESK OF THE CHAIR
Barry Tuckwell AC OBE FRCM FRSM
Gramophone recordings (nowadays referred to as CDs) are an essential element for every aspiring soloist, chamber music group, composer or orchestra.
I say this from the perspective of an Australian who lived in the UK and USA with an international career spanning some sixty years. This would not have happened without recordings. I have made over fifty albums.
My break as a soloist came in the mid 1950s with an invitation from the legendary producer, John Culshaw, to record all the Mozart Horn Concertos for the Decca label.
At that time the leading London orchestra was the Philharmonia with Herbert von Karajan. A major reason for its pre-eminence was that it made recordings. I was the Principal Horn with the then struggling London Symphony Orchestra. Our fortunes changed when we were offered a recording contract with the Mercury label. This was followed by one with Decca. It is now unquestionably the top London orchestra.
Recordings continue to be the essential calling card for musicians and Melba is providing this. Melba has reached the top of the tree internationally in a very short time because of its technical and artistic superiority. For Australian musicians Melba provides a platform taken seriously by international reviewers and commentators. This is a matter of fact. A recent comment by the prestigious UK magazine Gramophone, “sensational – the best sounding Ring to date bar none”, underlines this.
Melba is run by people who have the highest expertise in their individual areas, artistic, production, engineering, art work and marketing, and provides an important tool for our young musicians’ international careers. Sport and athletics are gratifyingly supported by federal and state governments to the benefit of the sports and to Australia’s international image. Melba cannot continue without support from government and individuals. When you support Melba you invest in the cultural image of Australia. It would be a tragedy if all this were to be lost.
