Tributes for Northern Sinfonia's Richard Hickox

Nov 25 2008 by David Whetstone, The Journal

RICHARD Hickox, the conductor who was artistic director of the Northern Sinfonia for eight years, has died suddenly of a suspected heart attack.

A statement from his agents, Intermusica, said Mr Hickox, who was 60, died on Sunday after a recording session in Wales.

He had been due to conduct English National Operas new production of Vaughan Williamss Riders to the Sea, opening on Thursday.

He is survived by his wife, mezzo- soprano Pamela Helen Stephen, and children, Tom, Adam and Abigail.

Stephen Lumsden, managing director of Intermusica, said: The shock of Richard Hickoxs sudden and unexpected death will resonate right around the globe and has robbed the music world of one of its most popular and respected musicians.

Mr Hickox, who was made a CBE in 2002, regularly conducted the UKs major orchestras and appeared at many festivals, including BBC Proms.

He also had more than 300 recordings to his name and in 2006 received his fifth Gramophone Award, one of the most coveted honours in classical music.

In 2005 he was appointed music director of Opera Australia and his contract had recently been extended until 2012.

He was artistic director of the Northern Sinfonia from 1982-90 and returned to the region to conduct it for the first time in its new home, The Sage Gateshead, in May.

It was a programme of English music, featuring works by Vaughan Williams and George Butterworth.

In an interview in 1988, Mr Hickox told our sister paper, the Evening Chronicle, that he had wanted to be a conductor from the age of three.

He said: My mother used to catch me conducting in front of the mirror and music has always been the only thing Ive really ever wanted to do.

The clergymans son talked to The Journals then arts editor, David Isaacs, in 1984 on the eve of taking the Northern Sinfonia on a 21-concert tour of America. The interview focused on his extraordinary energy and a diary which often saw him zipping from continent to continent.

A colleague had confided that he was indefatigable ... he never seems to run out of steam.

He said his association with the Northern Sinfonia began when he came to the North East to make some BBC recordings. His career was on the ascendancy and the orchestra homed in on me... which was very nice.

Anthony Sargent, Sage general director, said: In losing Richard Hickox, weve lost not just an inspirationally committed and enthusiastic colleague, but a truly passionate exponent of British music; a constantly inquisitive explorer of new repertoire and, personally, a perpetually supportive and generous friend.

Though his name may not always have attracted celebrity headlines, he was one of the most dedicated and enterprising musicians Ive ever known.