31 August 2009
Farewell to Jan Sedivka and Geoffrey Tozer

Australian music lost two fine artists within a week in August, when news came about the death of pianist Geoffrey Tozer, and, a few days later, of violinist, Professor Jan Sedivka.
Geoffrey Tozer (1954-2009) was
arguably one of Australian's most naturally gifted musicians. He
started his career as a child prodigy, and by the time he had
reached his teens he was playing piano concertos with symphony
orchestras both in Australia and internationally. As an adult, he
was one of the first recipients of the Keating fellowships, and
went on to record a catalogue of recordings for the Chandos label
- among these were his widely admired interpretations of Nikolai
Medtner's piano works. Tozer was known for his virtuosic skills
as an improviser and his wide knowledge of the repertory. He was
much liked as a teacher and a colleague. Tozer died in Melbourne
on 20 August at the age of 54. For a detailed obituary, see
Anna Goldsworthy's article in The
Australian and Ian Munro's article in The Guardian.
Jan Sedivka (1917-2009) made a
career as a concert violinist and as one of Australia's most
important music pedagogues. Sedivka was born in Czechoslovakia
and continued his musical training in France and England. He
moved to Australia in the 1960s and, after some years in
Queensland, soon found his home in Tasmania. There he became the
influential teacher of generations of string players who went on
to take positions in orchestras all over Australia and abroad.
Sedivka was also known as a performer to whom many Australian
composers (Larry Sitsky, James Penberthy, Ian Cugley, Don Kay,
Colin Brumby, Edward Cowie, Eric Gross) dedicated their works.
Prof Sedivka was the Director of the Tasmanian Conservatorium of
Music from 1972 to 1982, and taught regularly at the Shanghai
Conservatorium of Music in China. He held the positions of
Honorary Professor both in Shanghai University and University of
Tasmania, and was the Master Musician in Residence at the
University of Tasmania Conservatorium from his retirement in 1983
until his death. Read University of Tasmania's tribute for Jan Sedivka.
© Australian Music Centre (2009) — Permission must be obtained from the AMC if you wish to reproduce this article either online or in print.
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