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For Anthony Camden nothing seemed impossible. Brisbane enjoys many examples of the vision and persistence of this dynamic man who arrived from London to direct the Queensland Conservatorium in 1988. In only 5 years, Camden invigorated the Conservatorium, leading it through amalgamation with Griffith University whilst at the same time fighting for its prime location amid the South Bank cultural precinct. Whatever he touched inspired excellence and greater endeavor. His was the period of many international visitors, including James Galway, Grace Bunbury, Barry Tuckwell, Joan Sutherland, Neville and Andrew Marriner; the royal visit by the Duchess of Kent; and the Conservatorium’s unforgettable production of Britten’s “Billy Budd” which firmly placed Queensland Con on the international map and other conservatoriums on notice. He developed an international student program and formed exchange relationships with some of the great music academies. Nothing stopped him: where funding was short, he found sponsorships to enlarge the pool of possibilities. Howard Ainsworth said at the time that “the Conservatorium is vibrant and alive and everyone is over-stretched. But we have a Director who is dynamic and full of energy, and it just filters down.” Camden understood that a conservatorium is part of the cultural infrastructure. His vision touched the communities of Brisbane, Mackay (through the regional campus of the Con) and eventually Noosa (as Director of Music for the Noosa Federation of Arts). He convinced the Goss Government to support a new Brisbane Biennial Festival of Music in 1991, and was Artistic Advisor to classical music programming for Tony Gould’s Brisbane Festival even after moving to Hong Kong in 1993. As their Artistic Advisor, Camden inspired the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra to achieve an international profile, sharing with them a number of successful recordings and many lifelong friendships. The QPO made its own permanent impact on Anthony: it was here he met Lilly Li whom he married in 1993. The Camden footprint is evident in many parts of the world. Born in London into a musical dynasty, he studied at the Royal College of Music and became Principal Oboe of the London Symphony Orchestra early in his career. In 21 years at the LSO, he was also the longest-serving Chairman of the orchestra, a demanding parallel role. Camden led the LSO through turbulent times to artistic and financial security in their new home at the Barbican Centre, and their permanent place among Hollywood film scores after the first of the “Star Wars” trilogy. In “a significant moment for the orchestra”, the LSO this week observed a minute’s silence to honour the man they called “the Whizzer” because of his infectious energy. In a pattern of parallel musical lives, Camden established the London Virtuosi and toured the world with them for more than two decades. In his spare time, he founded a music festival at Segovia in Spain and continued to run the festival even after moving to Australia. Amidst juggling Conservatorium and community development in Brisbane, he maintained a busy schedule of performances and recordings in Europe and Asia. Post-Brisbane, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts played a special role in Camden’s life, as he did in creating a place for the Academy among the world’s best music institutions. With energy running at a level that would take one’s breath away, Camden also shared his talents in China, Thailand and the Philippines where he performed regularly, and constantly inspired new projects. There are few who were not touched by this remarkable man. He mixed with royalty, politicians, business people and audience with equal ease. Great musicians call him friend. So too do many students. In the words of Joseph Ward, “he was no-one’s fool but he was a dear man.” Above all, Camden was a brilliant artist. As the most recorded oboist of all time, his “dazzling technique and beautiful sound” (Washington Post) is well documented. Indeed, nothing seemed impossible for Anthony Camden – until he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2004. Having spent a few lifetimes facilitating the work of others, Anthony was planning to indulge himself in solo and chamber performances after “retirement” in 2003. That was not to be. Despite his determination to fight the disease, Anthony finally faced the impossible when he passed away suddenly in his Brisbane home on Tuesday morning 7 March. In a moment, many lost a wonderful friend, and the world lost a remarkable musician, educator, innovator, and entrepreneur. The family request that consideration be given to donating to the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Queensland (www.mndaq.asn.au/donate.htm). Brisbane Courier Mail - Helen Lancaster |
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