So sad

I feel priviledged not only to have met him on a couple of occasions, but to have played to his marvellous accompaniment on piano and harpsichord, at Dyrham Park and the first baroque day. He was a thoroughly nice chap and so easy to get into a discussion with. He was kind enough to send me a copy of his baroque piece for two flutes and harpsichord which he called Andante Grazioso, and I know I speak for Bev when I say that we were so excited at the prospect of being able to play it for him, with him at the keyboard, at the upcoming Birmingham bash. I shall treasure that piece of music, and I know it will be difficult for me to play it without feeling a deep sadness.

If anybody hears about the funeral arrangements, please do let me know - being fully retired I may be able to get to it when others here have to work.

R.I.P David.



Oh it seems someone else has asked about the funeral while I was composing my post.

I too had not yet met David, but from PMs we had exchanged, and from his contributions to the forum, I felt that I knew him and that he was already a friend. I was very much looking forward to meeting him in person at the November concert, and to sharing our ideas and insights about many pieces that we both play and love. But now I never shall. it is very sad.

As a newbie to the forums I didn't 'know' Clavicembalo either here or in real life but I could always tell how liked he was and how much his contributions to the forum were valued.

On behalf of all newbies who will never get to feel the benefit of Clavi's posts - RIP

It's also dawned on me that I no longer have a tag-team awful pun-partner

This is so awful.

I thought he must have taken a turn for the worse when he didn't post; after all, he was sending messages nearly all the time.
But this is such a shock.

I did wonder, but then people on here take breaks, go on holidays etc all the time. I just took it for granted that he'd be back to his prolific posting soon enough...

I bet there were a lot of upset schoolkids today when they found out

Do you think it appropriate to mail David's family the link to this thread? So many lovely heartfelt comments.

I'm one of them RIP Clavi.

Oh no! Tragic news

Condolonces to his friends & family

I think that is a good idea.

And if I do get to the funeral, I would be happy to say a few words on behalf of all of us here about his life and friends on this Forum, if that is what others would wish.

I'd quite like to go too, providing I can get the day off. Not sure how his family would feel about there being a forum contingent there, though.

It takes a lot to bring a tear to my eye, but I have only just seen this and they came spontaneously . I am so sad I never met him , but we always seemed on the same wavelength and often PMd , not just on piano and organ repertoire but also on Methodism and missionary work . I am very sorry and offer my sympathy to his family and friends. What a pity he didn't manage his Dip.

I thought this too, but you know what, having seen him in action, I have no doubt in my mind that he was capable of passing his Dip and that he was a great musician.

His sisters are aware of the forum.
They will let me know what and when, and I'll pass it on.
It's unbelievable really..........we used to chat about music, religion and Wales. So very witty, and very nice. His sight reading was superb, and I will not forget him playing at sight the accomp to the Flower Duet for Gerald and me at Dyrham Park.

I've only just turned the computer on and seen this very sad news. My only contact with him was to send him some of Vincent Billington's music which he asked for. I really hope he enjoyed playing it. Maybe, if any of us do get to the funeral, they could take a list of all the forumites who have posted here with their condolences, and a suitable message for his family.

Really shocked to find this thread. Although I never met clavicembalo, we did exchange PMs, and I thought him a smashing chap. The sheer volume of replies to this thread shows how well thought of he was on the forums.

For him, probably the best way to go, but for his family and friends, a terrible blow. It's hard to believe that we shall never again see new posts from him. RIP.

I usually have a look in the forums before retiring for the night, and find it relaxing before turning in. But this news has really upset me. I didn't have the privilege of meeting David in the flesh, but we had a good couple of jokes at each others' expense over the time of his postings.

As mentioned in an earlier post I hope his family get to see some of the thread comments, to appreciate how much we enjoyed his virtual company.

A true heartfelt loss to the forum. Rest in Peace David.

What an awful shock. I never met him in person, but I know what a valuable member of the forum community he became in his short time as a member. I truly think of everybody on here like an extended family - to hear of anybody passing away is such a shock to the system. My condolences to David's family and to everybody who had the privilege of meeting him in person.

Oh no, this is terrible.
Clavicembalo was great virtual company.
I send my condolences to his family and friends.

I've not been on the forum that much recently, so unfortunately did not get the pleasure of really conversing with David, but saddened to hear the news.

What can I add that hasn't already been said?

I had a bad feeling when he didn't post over the past few days, after he had told us of the cellulitis problem...

You will be so missed, Clavi.

*weeps*

I have just re-read David's thread from last month about his friend and colleague who died.

Aquarelle posted this - and I hope she will not mind if I quote it here ...

And of course, a musician always shines bright again through those who have taken his music into their lives.

Oh no! I had no idea... How could this have happened? Even as a relatively new forum poster who lives thousands of miles away I am shocked and saddened by this news I can only offer my most heartfelt condolences from the US...

So many people who have already put in to words what I want to say.

It's odd to think you are going to miss someone you never met. There will be threads that I read where I'll be looking forward to the inevitable humorous comment, and now it won't be there any more.

Very sad, and my thoughts are with his family and friends (and that includes all of us here)

Barry had a great suggestion... The Baroque day is the next event, so perhaps people may like to play something in dedication there (we still have room for a few more people if anyone wants to come and it doesn't all have to be Baroque).

Also maybe it'd be nice for a few people to have a go at playing some of his compositions? I'm not sure what was floated around by David while he was here and am not sure who has copies of what?

I had a few beers last night in his honour... Cheers for the memories! I still have a PM from him in my inbox, and won't be deleting that - I really appreciated his outlook on things and his ability to motivate others.

I've still got a PM : it's a list of various clarinet/piano solos we had plans to do in the future . Like you, I'm not deleting my PM either...

I will dedicate my performance on 30/10 to clavi. Might be a good idea to copy the top half of this post to the event thread too, Sol.

It is always sad when a community loses one of it's most-liked and valued members. The number of comments here is testament to his popularity. This online community will be a darker place now this light has been dimmed, but we will remember him through the most powerful medium of all - music.

I haven't got anything extra to say than what others have already posted. Never got to meet him but am sad anyway. RIP.

Actually the article I found that image in would make him chuckle, I think! How odd:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6592693.stm

That's wonderful, Sol - thanks for posting that. I loved clavi's maths posts. Do you remember the one he wrote on Bev's extended family thread, I was looking at it last night. It was sheer genius, he had such an inventive mind.

My heart goes out to his family x

Just read this (well, first went through the whole thread) and I would like to say, that my thoughts are with his family and friends.

Oh my goodness - I only just discovered this news from Skylark. I met David at Dryham Park and he was what I would call a 'gentle giant'. Such a lovely natured guy, such sad news. It makes you realise how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away.

My sympathies go to all his family - so so sorry to hear this.

I don't know what to say. I never met David but I loved his posts and his kindly words and gentle humour. He felt like a real - life friend. He will very sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.
May he rest in peace.

Of course I don't mind maggiemay - it is very true - David's musical light is one that will shine on in many lives - even in the lives of those like me who only knew him via the forums. It is strange to feel such a strong sense of loss for someone only met over the net, but it shows what an inspiring personality he was.

Just read this and am quite shocked. It really shows that we're all on borrowed time - all the more important to make it count.


My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

I've just found this thread now too, and am shocked. I hope his family reads this thread and can see the esteem in which he was held here. Deepest sympathy to all who knew him.

Sincere condolences to all Clavi's family and friends . I had no idea he was so ill, how sad.

Ed changed the title for me. More appropriate I think.

I think so, Bev. I'm still in shock

Terrible news.

I only met clavi once at Cardiff where he accompanied me on my forum violin debut.

A superb pianist and moreover a lovely man.

My condolences go out to his family

Lois

Just wanted to add my condolences.

I met David in Cardiff, at Looney Tunes' event. He was very friendly and came across as someone who would be a lot of fun to have round for dinner/drinks/chat. I didn't know him well, but I still feel saddened by the news.

As he was posting until quite recently, and he seemed fine at Cardiff (only a month ago) I'm guessing it was a short illness. If that was the case then I hope one day his family will be able to take comfort from the fact that he wasn't suffering or in pain for a long time, that he was still "himself".

RIP, David.

I also never met Clavicembalo, but nevertheless now feel very sad. I had very much felt his recent absence from the forums. His posts were always kind, witty and intelligent, and convinced me that he was a thoroughly nice man. This will definitely be a poorer place now he is no longer here to share it with us.

I am too new to this forum to have known him but he does seem to have made his mark here. RIP David.

when i first heard this i didn't believe it, i thought It was a joke. and i am so sad to realise its actually real. i know i don't know him as well as many of you but even so i know i will miss seeing his humour and helpfulness about the forum. i'm so sorry for all those that knew him i know he will be sorely missed

That is shocking news. I never met Clavicembalo but have chatted to him in a number of threads and he was always really helpful and nice.

Condolences to his family and friends.

I agree.

He was always constructive when providing advice to others, and open-minded when seeking advice himself. A thoroughly nice person to have met, even if only online. I shall miss him.

How very sad

Condolences to all his family and friends.

Very sad indeed, and amazing to have touched so many through his insight and thoughtfulness.

Many condolences.

Such sad news. I always enjoyed & appreciated his posts. He seemed such a kind and thoughtful person.

Many condolences to all his family and friends

How very sad. Poor Clavi, and poor everyone who misses him He was an inspiration on this forum, and a wonderful example to anyone who has ever felt like giving up because they didn't succeed the first time! He had a lovely sense of humour and such commitment to his music-making.

Condolences to his family and friends.

I've only just read this and it is such sad news. I had the opportunity to hear him play and accompany at the Cardiff event and it was a joy listening to him play.

Mine and Mr Blackbird's thoughts and deepest condolences go to his family and friends.