In Memory of a Great Harpist - Sidonie Goosens

[Garritan]

Tony, one our our members from Scotland, just wrote of the news that the greatest British Harpist Sidonie Goosens died today at age 105. "She played with many of our great orchestras and had several concertos written especially for her. Sidonie could well be described as the last of the old brigade and I have no doubt she is already organising the angels into a harp orchestra."

Sidonie Goosens was born in 1899 and joined the BBC Orchestra in 1927. She was principal harpist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1930 until her retirement. Sidonie Goossens married the conductor Hyam Greenbaum. The photo below shows Sidonie Goossens with Igor Stravinsky.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/jcday/dayspast/images/Goosens58b.jpg


Gary Garritan

[DPDAN]

WOW, what a tremendously long life she had!
Imagine the stories she could tell.
Dan

[SeanHannifin]

She lived through the entire 1900's . . . more than a century . . . she will certainly be missed.

[Styxx]

Gary knows how much I feel harpists are the greatest assets of any orchestra. Realizing the long life she had and the contributions she had made during her lifetime, she will truly be missed.
Wow, the picture…to be in the presence of Igor Stravinsky!