Angela Malsbury (1945-2026)
Angela Malsbury, who has died at the age of 80, was one of the most distinguished clarinettists of her generation, a sought after orchestral player who also shone as a chamber musician and soloist and an eminent teacher whose students include some of our most successful players today.
Born in Preston on 5 May 1945 Angela moved to Leicestershire at an early age where her musical ability soon became apparent both as a pianist and a clarinet player. She joined the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra gaining her early training that led naturally to being offered an Associated Board Scholarship to the Royal College of Music in 1962 where she studied with the legendary Thea King, who in later life became a mentor, colleague and close friend.
Angela began her orchestral career as a freelance player but was soon to be appointed to the London Mozart Players as second clarinet to Thea King. Appointed as Principal Clarinet in 1983, she retained this position for over 30 years working closely with the orchestra’s Principal Conductors Harry Blech, Dame Jane Glover, Matthias Bamert, Andrew Parrott and Gérard Korsten. She was quickly absorbed into the London music profession performing regularly with the London Sinfonietta, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and many other orchestras.
Angela had a special affinity with chamber music, where her wonderful clarinet sound and her astute ability to play within an ensemble underpinned countless performances and recordings. She worked regularly with such illustrious quartets as the Amadeus, Allegri, Medici and Maggini and later extensively with the Coull String Quartet with whom she recorded the Mozart Clarinet Quintet. With the Medici Quartet she recorded the beautiful Clarinet Quintet by Wilfred Josephs, a work dedicated to her. With the cellist Rohan de Saram and pianist David Pettit she was a member of the De Saram Trio, was also a member of the Albion Ensemble and played regularly as a guest with the Nash Ensemble and London Winds.
Angela was equally at home as a soloist, seeming to thrive when taking such a lead role in a concert. From the moment that she entered the stage, her ability to perform and communicate with an audience was always a memorable experience. She made her Festival Hall concerto debut in 1972 and performed in many other major halls during her career, playing the Mozart and Weber on many occasions as well as concerti by Crusell, Alice Mary Smith, Joseph Horovitz and the premiere of Paul Patterson’s Clarinet Concerto.
But perhaps her most important and personal performing was with her husband, the pianist and organist, David Pettit. Having met when he was a young teacher at her school in Leicestershire, David and Angela enjoyed over 60 years of marriage and performed as clarinet and piano duo for all that time. Together, they were sought after artists on the music club circuit and, working with the promoter Stephanie Williams, performed on over 30 cruises presented by Richard Baker for P&O and taking them to many parts of the world.
Angela had a lifelong interest in teaching the clarinet, perhaps feeling strongly the legacy that she had received from her studies with Thea King. For many years, she taught for the Birmingham School of Music (now Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) and from 1987 she was Professor of Clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music. Her dedication and attention to the needs of every student set her apart and over the years a great many of her students have progressed to enjoy success in the music profession. She held Fellowships of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music.
Angela was a superb colleague, a friend to so many, a devoted wife to David and mother of their son Tim, daughter-in-law Joanna, and grandson Toby. Her sheer zest for life and enjoyment of her work in music was infectious. Every day seemed to have excitement in it and Angela’s energy helped everyone she worked with through all eventualities. With a colourful dress sense and a true touch of glamour, life itself was a performance to be relished and every day not to be missed.
Angela with husband (and former RSM Chair) David Pettit and their son Tim.
Dame Jane Glover writes: “Her warmth is perhaps the characteristic that shone through every aspect of her life, as a person, as a supportive colleague, and as a friend; and in her those things were somehow inseparable. She and I performed the Mozart Concerto together countless times and they were always a great joy”.
Andrew Marriner (former Principal Clarinet, London Symphony Orchestra and Academy of St Martin in the Fields) writes: “Angie’s warmth and generosity benefitted her colleagues and students alike. She welcomed me into what was then quite a tight knit freelance world, offering me some of my earliest opportunities.
Our many predominantly chamber music collaborations were defined by her serious, but not overbearing artistry, always combined with a lightness of touch and her irrepressible sense of fun”.
Philippa Davies (Nash Ensemble and Former Principal Flute, London Mozart Players) writes: “I knew Angie in the 1980s, when we played together in the London Mozart Players and the Albion Ensemble and I always admired the warmth of her playing, her friendship and loyalty, and the shared laughter and fun we enjoyed over the years. She will be greatly missed.”
Margaret Archibald (former Sub-Principal Clarinet, London Mozart Players) writes: “Thank you Angie for an extraordinarily close musical partnership as your second clarinet over more than three decades, quite literally breathing as one”
Robert Plane (Principal Clarinet BBC NOW and Head of Woodwind, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and former student) writes: “Without Angela Malsbury’s inspirational teaching and unwavering support, believing in me at a time when I didn’t believe in myself, I wouldn’t be in this wonderful profession today”.
Chi-Yu Mo (Principal E-flat Clarinet, London Symphony Orchestra and former student) writes: “Angie was such an important person in my life and without her inspiration, belief and guidance, I would not be where I am today”.