Peter Musson
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Peter Musson (21 May 1940; Auckland – 8 April 2022; Brisbane) was a bassoonist and bassoon teacher. He was a principal
bassoonist The bassoon is a musical instrument in the woodwind family, which plays in the tenor and bass ranges. It is composed of six pieces, and is usually made of wood. It is known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, versatility, and virtuosity ...
in the
Queensland Symphony Orchestra Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) is an Australian symphony orchestra in the state of Queensland. The orchestra is based in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's building in South Bank. The Orchestra is funded by private corporations, the ...
and Senior Lecturer in bassoon at the Queensland Conservatorium and was a soloist and member of chamber music ensembles.


Background

Peter Musson received his education from Auckland Grammar School and St Peter's College. He gained a reputation as a child prodigy on clarinet, studying with George Hopkins, later moving to bassoon. In 1956, he auditioned for a position with the NZBC orchestra under James Robertson, the resident conductor of the orchestra, (who had instituted a policy of regular auditioning and reauditioning). Musson was appointed and, at the age of 16, became the youngest ever member of the NZBC Symphony Orchestra.


Professional career

Peter remained with the NZBC Symphony Orchestra for twelve years (June 1956-March 1967), becoming Principal
Bassoonist The bassoon is a musical instrument in the woodwind family, which plays in the tenor and bass ranges. It is composed of six pieces, and is usually made of wood. It is known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, versatility, and virtuosity ...
and also a member of the New Zealand Wind Quintet. In 1967, he left New Zealand in order to broaden his musical experience and travelled widely. After a period as a free-lance player in London, he was appointed to Principal Bassoon positions with, in turn, the
Ulster Orchestra The Ulster Orchestra is a full-time professional orchestra in Northern Ireland. Based in Belfast, the orchestra plays the majority of its concerts in Belfast's Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall. It also gives concerts across the United Kingdom ...
in
Belfast Belfast (, , , ; from ) is the capital city and principal port of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan and connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North Channel ...
, the Durban Symphony Orchestra in
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
, the Niederrhein Sinfoniker in
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
and the
Queensland Symphony Orchestra Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) is an Australian symphony orchestra in the state of Queensland. The orchestra is based in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's building in South Bank. The Orchestra is funded by private corporations, the ...
in
Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...
. Peter also appeared as Guest Principal with such orchestras as London's
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London, England. The RPO was established by Thomas Beecham in 1946. In its early days, the orchestra secured profitable recording contracts and important engagemen ...
, the Gurzenich Orchestra of
Cologne Cologne ( ; ; ) is the largest city of the States of Germany, German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the List of cities in Germany by population, fourth-most populous city of Germany with nearly 1.1 million inhabitants in the city pr ...
, the
Australian Chamber Orchestra The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) is an Australian orchestra focused on chamber music based in Sydney. History The Australian Chamber Orchestra was founded by cellist John Painter in 1975.Verghis, Sharon"Bach with more bite pays off" ''T ...
, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney. With roots going back to 1908, the orchestra was made a permanent professional orchestra on the formation of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1932. ...
. He has also performed widely as a soloist and as a member of chamber music ensembles.


Teaching

Peter also had a very successful teaching career with former students, having held professional playing and teaching positions on four continents.for example, Paul Rodgers, fmr Principal Durban SO, Judy Wood, fmr Principal Queensland Philharmonic, Leesa Dean, fmr Principal QSO, Mark Gaydon, Principal Adelaide SO, Leah Stephenson, 2nd bassoon Adelaide SO, Claire Ramuscak, Australian Chamber Ensemble and QSO.
/ref> He has been on staff at the Belfast School of Music, the
Krefeld Krefeld ( , ; ), also spelled Crefeld until 1925 (though the spelling was still being used in British papers throughout the Second World War), is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, in western Germany. It is located northwest of Düsseldorf, its c ...
Musikschule and the Queensland Conservatorium where he was Senior Lecturer in Bassoon and Chamber Music until 2002.


Family

Peter Musson had three children: Donna, Paul and Guy.


Discography

"From Fire by Fire" Queensland Wind Soloists 4MBS 1990 "William Hurlstone Chamber Music" Continuum 2001


Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Musson, Peter 1940 births 2022 deaths Musicians from Auckland People educated at St Peter's College, Auckland New Zealand classical bassoonists Academic staff of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University New Zealand expatriates in England New Zealand expatriates in South Africa New Zealand expatriates in Germany New Zealand expatriates in Australia New Zealand Symphony Orchestra people Players of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Players of the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne Sydney Symphony Orchestra people