My informant Moira Badstubner originally let me know about an organisation she had had been a member of, the The International Arts League of Youth. That article is here on the site, but in her latest letter, received during my move downunder, she recalls Edward Dunn, the IALY’s patron and leader of Durban’s civic orchestra. She wrote:
Share this:Hello Allan
As a teenager I was “mal” over classical music. Edward Dunn gave me so much to remember – even now when I hear certain classical music I think of him. “Dance of the Hours” was on the Afrikaans programme at 12 today – it was one of his favourites. For the good he did to the future generation, he will be rewarded.
The orchestra members were well-known to the Durban public – Nancy Greig (cello), Snowy Edwards (timpani/drums), John Clark (cello), Ilona de Vos (Harp), Stefan Deak (first violin – Hungarian), Charles Denholm (violin), Barbara Groom (viola)(Aitcheson), my favourite, – Paul Martens (my teacher) and George Walker – their students used to compete in the Eisteddford every year.
I am so grateful to the Durban Transport dept – in those days we could catch a bus to anywhere, anytime – safely!
Looking forward to reading your latest news bulletins…
Moira Badstubner (née Williams)
Fiona Tucker
At last I have found snippets of the orchestra from the 50’s. I am looking for a photograph of Stefan Deak, the lead violin, while he was here in Durban. He was my sister’s violin teacher and I now have the violin he got her from Amon Bilmark’s violin shop in Albany Grove.
I have read that Stefan Deak spent the last of his life in London, some of the time with the Lennox Berkley Ensemble until he had his second mental breakdown after the suicide of his son Dr Ilan Deak. He was in a mental institution for a while and died in 1999 in Camden Town.
Moira Badstubner (nee Williams)
Yes, I was friends with Stefan Deak nd his lovely wife Gertrude.
My personal teacher was Paul Martens, who my personal “hero” as a teenager.
In my early years I played with a small group visiting Old Age Homes so now….when I am actually living in one in Wartburg, I do appreciate the musicians who visit us and share their talent.
Fiona Tucker
I remember Paul Martens well. He lived next door to the Vennikers in Valley View Rd and his daughter Elizabeth sometimes came around and visited. I loved to eavesdrop when they practised but my brother and Richard and Brett thought it too serious!
Gone are the days when youngsters learnt an instrument, now its mostly IT stuff…
Caryl Cusens
So nice to read the letter and comments about the members of the Durban Orchestra. I remember most of the names mentioned from attending concerts in the Durban City Hall.
Edward Dunn was my godfather, and a close friend of my parents.