NEW PAGE The Society of Recorder Players
President:
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
CBE
Registered Charity No. 282751
Scottish
Registered Charity No. SC038422
Since 1937 The Society of
Recorder Players has been
stimulating interest and enjoyment in the art of
recorder playing
Jean Henry - Obituary
JEAN HENRY 1910 - 2005
We are sad to announce the death of Jean Henry on October 27th 2005 at the age of 95
Many British recorder players will remember Jean Henry, the dynamic pioneer of the recorder movement in France.
He discovered the recorder in 1937 and immediately realised its possibilities as an instrument for use in schools. Having begun by using the German-fingered models available at that time, finding the first plastic instruments made by Dolmetsch was a revelation to him. From 1952 to 1961 he attended many recorder courses including those organised by the SRP at Roehampton, and thus the whole vast spectrum of the instrument, its repertoire and its potential. was opened up to him.
From 1962 to 1968 he collaborated closely with Edgar Hunt in organising two courses each year, one in France and the other in England.
He published a method in four volumes which was intended for use in French primary and secondary schools, and he encouraged the editor Zurfluh in Paris to import instruments of quality, and sheet music.
From 1971 to 1973 he organised several courses in Italy and then from 1975 to 1995, the "Rencontres Internationales de Musique Ancienne et Danses de Cour", first in Aurillac, then in Douai, and finally in Arras. More or less all French professional recorder players participated in these courses at some time. Carried along by his fervour, instructors Edgar Hunt and Kees Otten headed an ever-expanding team and at their height the courses catered for nearly 300 participants!
His energy and enthusiasm were infectious and appreciated by all. His solid musical knowledge (he was originally a professional violinist) was always his guiding principle. He had a true "missionary" spirit and all who knew him respected his generosity and kindness. He will be long remembered.
Beverly Barbey (Smith)