Malcolm Critten joined the orchestra in 1987
The Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) in Gateshead has announced the passing of violist Malcolm Critten. Critten left the viola section recently after 37 years with the orchestra and died after a short illness.
Originally from Manchester, Critten studied at Chetham’s School of Music, as well as the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) with Nobuko Imai.
He freelanced for a number of years before joining the RNS in 1987, where he held the Merle Rewcastle chair. He described performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no.6 with Thomas Zehetmair at the Edinburgh Festival as one of his career highlights with the orchestra.
Critten was a keen supporter of chamber music in the north-east region and was a board member of the Newcastle Chamber Music Society. In addition to his performing career, he worked towards an MA in Music Education with Trinity College of Music.
’Malcolm will be terribly missed by all of us at Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Glasshouse,’ the orchestra said on social media.
The orchestra plans to celebrate Critten’s memory in concert when it reconvenes for its new season.
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