John MacMurray
Encyclopedia
John Stewart Wright MacMurray (30 December 1958 — 20 August 2006) was a Canadian musician
from Saint John
, New Brunswick
, who held the position of Principal Trumpet
with the Hallé Orchestra of Great Britain
from 1986 to 2006. Married to artist Susie MacMurray and father of two teenaged boys, Andrew and Matthew, he died at the age of forty-seven after the return of cancer
for the third time.
. He considered himself a musician
first and a trumpeter second, and this is reflected in the fact that he began instrumental studies at the comparatively late age of fifteen, by which time most would have completed their Grade VIII exams.
Starting not as a child, but as a young adult, he progressed quickly through his native Canadian and American
universities with the renowned teachers William Vacchiano
and Armando Ghitalla
. His rapid development brought him to London
in 1981 at the age of twenty-two to study at Goldsmiths College
. By now he had acquired so much maturity and style that his musical personality shone out, just like his trumpet sound itself. And it was that sound — with the full resonance but not the hard edge of many American-trained players — that made him unique.
with the Hallé Orchestra was 2 November 1986 at the age of twenty-seven, he had already been Co-principal for almost three years with John Dickinson, impressing everyone when stepping up to play first. Despite the early end to his career, only two people have held the principal position longer, going back before Harry Mortimer
to Alex Harris in 1919.
Bringing extensive experience to trumpet
-playing from his travels, from his role models and teachers who instilled in him an appreciation for music
as a whole, but also from his own unique strength of character, he was able to succeed where others might flounder. His attitude to preparation, attention to detail, awareness in rehearsals, differentiation between musical styles, and overall professionalism in the most unrewarding or trying of circumstances, were all typical of his character. He took inspiration from a wider artistic standpoint and his personal contribution in sound and phrasing were a particular highlight, expressing a depth of feeling beyond the written notes.
In his teaching too, his maturity and example of integrity to the music
as well as to oneself, the challenge to focus in a personal way, to look behind the notes on the page, made him a formative influence, not just a trumpet player. As well as holding teaching posts at such institutions as Chetham's School of Music
and the Royal Northern College of Music
, he also taught select students privately, including famed French footballer Eric Cantona
for a short while. Students and colleagues alike noted his wonderful sense of humour
, and his great intuition and wisdom outside of music
, showing genuine concern and encouragement in difficult times.
He experienced two periods of cancer
, but overcame both the physical and emotional hurdles to re-emerge in his characteristic style, first with a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 5 and then with Shostakovich's Concerto
for Piano
, Trumpet
and Strings
, broadcast live on BBC
radio in February 2006 after seven months absence. This was testament to his immense professionalism and strength of character.
with which he had struggled for several years returned for a third time. Word quickly spread of the seriousness of its third assault and colleagues, friends and many of his devoted former students were able to contact him for the very last time.
He died on Sunday 20 August and his funeral took place on 29 August near his home in Macclesfield
. There hundreds of friends, family, colleagues, former colleagues and students spilled out of the cemetery building — proof of just how loved and respected he was. As well as tributes, recordings of some of his favourite music
were heard, including Bach
's Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C, Itzhak Perlman
’s Cinema Paradiso, Eva Cassidy
’s Way Beyond the Blue, and also a recording of his own performance of Mahler’s Blumine from February of that year.
On Thursday 20 September 2006, the Hallé
dedicated its evening concert
at the Bridgewater Hall
to his memory with a performance of Bach
's Brandenburg Concerto No.5 and an electrifying performance of Mahler's Symphony No.5. Conductor, Mark Elder
, spoke glowingly of his former colleague to a full house, and an obituary was provided in the programme notes by fellow trumpeter and personal friend, Ken Brown, who noted how profoundly he would be missed not only by colleagues at the Hallé
but also by the discerning and committed Hallé
audiences who over the years had grown so accustomed to the presence of this exceptional musician
.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
from Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, who held the position of Principal Trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
with the Hallé Orchestra of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
from 1986 to 2006. Married to artist Susie MacMurray and father of two teenaged boys, Andrew and Matthew, he died at the age of forty-seven after the return of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
for the third time.
Early career
John MacMurray — "Moose" to those who knew him — was a latecomer to the trumpetTrumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
. He considered himself a musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
first and a trumpeter second, and this is reflected in the fact that he began instrumental studies at the comparatively late age of fifteen, by which time most would have completed their Grade VIII exams.
Starting not as a child, but as a young adult, he progressed quickly through his native Canadian and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
universities with the renowned teachers William Vacchiano
William Vacchiano
William Vacchiano was a trumpeter and trumpet instructor.Originally from Portland, Maine, Vacchiano studied trumpet at age 12. At 14 years old, he was playing in the Portland Symphony. Later he performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for 38 years and taught at the Juilliard School for...
and Armando Ghitalla
Armando Ghitalla
Armando Ghitalla was an American orchestral trumpeter. He studied at the Juilliard School, and performed in the New York City Opera, the New York City Ballet, and the Houston Symphony. He was a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for twenty eight years, and served as principal trumpet for...
. His rapid development brought him to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1981 at the age of twenty-two to study at Goldsmiths College
Goldsmiths College
Goldsmiths, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom which specialises in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It was founded in 1891 as Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute...
. By now he had acquired so much maturity and style that his musical personality shone out, just like his trumpet sound itself. And it was that sound — with the full resonance but not the hard edge of many American-trained players — that made him unique.
The Hallé Orchestra
Although his first concert as Principal TrumpetTrumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
with the Hallé Orchestra was 2 November 1986 at the age of twenty-seven, he had already been Co-principal for almost three years with John Dickinson, impressing everyone when stepping up to play first. Despite the early end to his career, only two people have held the principal position longer, going back before Harry Mortimer
Harry Mortimer
Harry Mortimer OBE was an English composer and conductor who specialised in brass band music.Born in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, his father was conductor Fred Mortimer . Fred taught Harry and his brothers Rex and Alex to play the cornet, and also composition. Later he was taught by William Rimmer...
to Alex Harris in 1919.
Bringing extensive experience to trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
-playing from his travels, from his role models and teachers who instilled in him an appreciation for music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
as a whole, but also from his own unique strength of character, he was able to succeed where others might flounder. His attitude to preparation, attention to detail, awareness in rehearsals, differentiation between musical styles, and overall professionalism in the most unrewarding or trying of circumstances, were all typical of his character. He took inspiration from a wider artistic standpoint and his personal contribution in sound and phrasing were a particular highlight, expressing a depth of feeling beyond the written notes.
In his teaching too, his maturity and example of integrity to the music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
as well as to oneself, the challenge to focus in a personal way, to look behind the notes on the page, made him a formative influence, not just a trumpet player. As well as holding teaching posts at such institutions as Chetham's School of Music
Chetham's School of Music
Chetham's School of Music , familiarly known as "Chets", is a specialist independent co-educational music school, situated in Manchester city centre, in North West England. It was established in 1969, incorporating Chetham's Hospital School, founded as a charity school by Humphrey Chetham in 1653...
and the Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...
, he also taught select students privately, including famed French footballer Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
for a short while. Students and colleagues alike noted his wonderful sense of humour
Humour
Humour or humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement...
, and his great intuition and wisdom outside of music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, showing genuine concern and encouragement in difficult times.
He experienced two periods of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, but overcame both the physical and emotional hurdles to re-emerge in his characteristic style, first with a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 5 and then with Shostakovich's Concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
for Piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and Strings
String orchestra
A string orchestra is an orchestra composed solely or primarily of instruments from the string family. These instruments are the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass , the piano, the harp, and sometimes percussion...
, broadcast live on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
radio in February 2006 after seven months absence. This was testament to his immense professionalism and strength of character.
His Death
In July 2006 the cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
with which he had struggled for several years returned for a third time. Word quickly spread of the seriousness of its third assault and colleagues, friends and many of his devoted former students were able to contact him for the very last time.
He died on Sunday 20 August and his funeral took place on 29 August near his home in Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
. There hundreds of friends, family, colleagues, former colleagues and students spilled out of the cemetery building — proof of just how loved and respected he was. As well as tributes, recordings of some of his favourite music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
were heard, including Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
's Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C, Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-born violinist, conductor, and instructor of master classes. He is regarded as one of the pre-eminent violinists of the 20th and early-21st centuries.-Early life:...
’s Cinema Paradiso, Eva Cassidy
Eva Cassidy
Eva Marie Cassidy was an American vocalist known for her interpretations of jazz, blues, folk, gospel, country and pop classics. In 1992 she released her first album, The Other Side, a set of duets with go-go musician Chuck Brown, followed by a live solo album, Live at Blues Alley in 1996...
’s Way Beyond the Blue, and also a recording of his own performance of Mahler’s Blumine from February of that year.
On Thursday 20 September 2006, the Hallé
Halle
Halle is a noun that means hall in the German language. It may also refer to:-In Germany:* Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, official name Halle , also called Halle or Halle an der Saale...
dedicated its evening concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
at the Bridgewater Hall
Bridgewater Hall
The Bridgewater Hall is an international concert venue in Manchester city centre, England. It cost around £42 million to build and currently hosts over 250 performances a year....
to his memory with a performance of Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
's Brandenburg Concerto No.5 and an electrifying performance of Mahler's Symphony No.5. Conductor, Mark Elder
Mark Elder
Sir Mark Philip Elder, CBE is a British conductor. He is the music director of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, England.-Biography:Elder was born in Hexham, Northumberland, England, the son of a dentist...
, spoke glowingly of his former colleague to a full house, and an obituary was provided in the programme notes by fellow trumpeter and personal friend, Ken Brown, who noted how profoundly he would be missed not only by colleagues at the Hallé
Halle
Halle is a noun that means hall in the German language. It may also refer to:-In Germany:* Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, official name Halle , also called Halle or Halle an der Saale...
but also by the discerning and committed Hallé
Halle
Halle is a noun that means hall in the German language. It may also refer to:-In Germany:* Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, official name Halle , also called Halle or Halle an der Saale...
audiences who over the years had grown so accustomed to the presence of this exceptional musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
.