English Chamber Orchestra Founder Quintin Ballardie has Died, Aged 93

James Quintin Ballardie was instrumental in transforming the then-Goldsbrough Orchestra into the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO), and he developed a reputation for selecting string players whose sound would blend perfectly.

Born in the Wirral, Ballardie was raised by his mother in Croydon and went on to study the viola at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1960, Ballardie took over the artistic direction of the ECO and has since given over six decades of service. He served as principal viola as well as ran the orchestra until his retirement.

The ECO is now the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world, having released 860 recordings over the course of its history. With Ballardie, the group performed with soloists such as Daniel Barenboim, Raymond Leppard, Pinchas Zukerman, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Murray Perahia.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the orchestra became closely associated with Benjamin Britten, who was the group's first Patron. The ECO often performed at Britten's Aldeburgh Festival and took part in the premieres of works such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and Owen Wingrave. Under Ballardie's leadership, Britten was joined as the orchestra's Patron by HRH Prince Charles.

Ballardie was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to Music, in addition to being the recipient of the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music (FRAM).

"Known for supporting, encouraging and nurturing talent, Quin was responsible not only for the success of the ECO but also the wider success of those colleagues around him who thrived off his passion for music," said ECO in a statement on the passing of their founder.

Until her death in 2017, Ballardie was married to Margaret Ballardie. The couple had three children: Carole, and twins David and Andrew.

Our condolences to Ballardie's family, friends, and colleagues.