Miles Baster

Died: 14 October, 2004, in Townshend, Cornwall, aged 69

MILES Baster was proud of his Scottish descent (he was the great nephew of Alexander Miles, the eminent Edinburgh surgeon) and it is fitting that Edinburgh became his home and the base for a distinguished professional career. Miles loved Edinburgh; but Cornwall was also very close to his heart, as it was there he spent his childhood.

His early education was at St Erbyn’s School in Penzance, after which he attended the King’s School, Canterbury where he was a King’s Scholar. There, he won a scholarship to Oxford University, which he did not take up - opting instead for a musical education at the Royal Academy of Music.

In 1944, the young Baster was presented with a three-quarter sized violin. He received initial instruction from Olga Bennett and went on to play in the Penzance Orchestra. In 1945, he began his studies with Albert Sammons (frequently making the long journey from Cornwall to London for lessons), who described Baster as "his gifted pupil".

While still at school, he was appointed leader of the National Youth Orchestra (a post he held for three years during the early 50s), which culminated in him becoming Silver Medallist of The Worshipful Company of Musicians in 1954. After leaving school, Baster commenced studies with Frederick Grinke at the Royal Academy of Music. During a distinguished studentship, Baster won a succession of prizes and awards, culminating in the coveted Dove Prize - the academy’s highest award. In 1956, he was a finalist in the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition; and two years later, won the Boise Scholarship, which enabled him to study with Louis Persinger at New York’s Julliard School.

An inspired performer who inspired others, Baster would have carved for himself a distinguished career as a concert soloist - but fate was to present him with a different path to success. In 1959, while still in America, he was invited by Professor Sidney Newman (then Reid Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh) to form the Edinburgh Quartet (the first university- based quartet in Britain); and from his own circle of friends and acquaintances in the music profession, Baster was able to form an ensemble that gave its first performance in 1960. He remained leader of the Edinburgh Quartet for the following 35 years.

At that time, the musical "climate" of the capital outwith the International Festival was, to say the least, rather bleak; and apart from the Reid Orchestra, weekly concerts by the Scottish National Orchestra, touring orchestras and a few local groups there was not much else. However, it was not long before Baster’s innovative ideas had a positive influence in revitalising Edinburgh’s musical life. He founded the St Cecilia Orchestra and gave encouragement to young musicians and amateur groups. Today, Edinburgh enjoys a "healthy" musical life throughout the year; and it would be no exaggeration to say that much of this is due to Baster’s groundwork during the 1960s.

Despite a withdrawal of funding in 1982 which forced the disbanding of the Reid Orchestra, the Quartet managed to find an alternative source of cash and was able to continue.

Busy schedules with the Quartet took him to the Middle East, Europe, Russia, the Far East and the Americas as well as extensive tours of the British Isles In addition to live performances, he made a number of commercial recordings, regularly broadcast on radio and television (both with the Quartet and as a freelance musician), and away from the concert platform he was often seen playing in theatres throughout Scotland.

Aside from serious music, Baster also enjoyed performing a lighter repertoire. In this field he was leader of the Arthur Blake Orchestra with which he made numerous appearances on television; and was leader of the Edinburgh Light Orchestra from 1978-94. Baster always maintained that "like a good meal, there must be a balance of taste and style if one is to be a complete musician".

Despite the hectic lifestyle of a top musician, Baster still found time to teach and coach students - notably at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, in Glasgow. Baster’s unassuming demeanour, coupled with a generosity of spirit - never egotistical - made him a highly respected figure, not only by his fellow professionals, but by students and amateur musicians alike.

For Baster, the Beethoven String Quartets always held a particular fascination. He found them a constant challenge, and once remarked that working on them was "like taking part in a daily treasure hunt". He was also fond of Elgar’s music; and when asked light-heartedly which pieces he would take with him to a desert island, he unhesitatingly listed the Beethoven Quartets, St Matthew Passion and Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius.

His passions were music, good food, expensive wine and convivial company. A fascinating raconteur, his anecdotes would always hold one spellbound; and on the subject of music, his knowledge was encyclopaedic.

Baster preferred a totally musical approach to his craft, and maintained that in order to achieve a good performance and to understand the composer’s intentions, musical integrity was of paramount importance.

After retiring to west Cornwall in 1995, Baster continued to perform and give freely of his time to instruct and encourage local musicians. There, he gave solo recitals and performances of a number of concertos with local orchestras, which included those by Brahms, Mozart, Bach and, of course, Elgar and Tchaikovsky. In addition, he played Beethoven’s Violin Concerto on two occasions - the second performance given in January of this year in Penzance with the Sinfonia of St Mary’s. This was a most moving performance, given at a time when he was already seriously ill.

We are all greatly saddened by his passing; but can be content in the knowledge that he left a musical "legacy" for all to enjoy - whether it be a memory or something more tangible.

A Requiem Mass will be held on 8 November, at the Church of The Immaculate Conception, in Penzance.