Bernard Roberts FRCM 1933 - 2013

Tuesday 5 November 2013

We are very sorry to report the death of Bernard Roberts.  A former professor of piano at the RCM, Bernard was well known as one of the finest Beethoven players of the 20th Century.

Bernard Roberts was born in Manchester, where his mother had been a pupil of Egon Petri, and where his father was on the music staff of The Manchester Guardian. He won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in 1949, where he later became a piano professor for many years.

As well as his solo and recording career, he always reserved time for chamber music playing. From 1975 until 1984 he was a member of the renowned Parikian, Fleming, Roberts Trio. He was often heard as a chamber player with ensembles such as the Chilingirian String Quartet, the Wind Soloists of the English Chamber Orchestra, and with the violinists Norbert Brainin and Nona Liddell.

His will be remembered by his former colleagues for his amazing playing and his wonderful sense of humour.

He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Music in 1981.