Clarinetist Donald Westlake died last month, aged 90. His well-established career began in 1953 when a 22-year-old Westlake received recognition for his talents through various awards and prizes including the ABC’s Concerto Competition among others. That same year he was appointed principal clarinet with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as well as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, a position he held on and off until 1978.
Westlake’s son, composer, musician and conductor Nigel Westlake recounts his father’s remarkable achievements for the Brisbane Times.
On Friday 17 September Neil McEwan presented Remembering Donald Westlake, Clarinetist, a special one-hour tribute, programmed by James Nightingale.
Stream on demand
Program items
Brahms, J. Clarinet sonata in F minor, op 120 no 1 (1894). Donald Westlake, cl; Geoffrey Parsons, pf.
LP RCA VRL1 0341 [22:53]
Mozart, W. Clarinet quintet, in A, K581 (1789). Donald Westlake, cl; Sinfonia Ensemble.
LP ABC VRL1 0008 [30:28]