A Continental flavour
to birthday tributes
SIR Charles Groves, principal conductor of the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra, was showered with
gifts and tribute on Saturday in celebration of his 75th birthday.
At a reception after the performance of
Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, the Philharmon-
ic choir, orchestra_and Freiburger Bachchor
paid homage to his musical achievements.
Mrs. Rita Horton, chairman of the Philhar.
monic choir, completed a presentation that
had begun before the concert when the GPO
friends association gave Sir Charles a set of
Dartington glasses. The choir’s gift was a
crate of wine.
Mayor of Guildford Mr. Bernard Parke
presented him with a shield with the Guildford borough coat of arms.
*“The borough is very much aware of how
» lucky it is to have s_uch talent in Guildford.”
he said.
i
Saturday.
L
Mr. Parke also gave a warm welcome to the
Freiburg singers who flew in for the concert to
celebrate the 10th anniversary of the twinning
of Guildford w:th Freiburg.
Herr Prof. Hans-Michael Beuerle, conduc-
tor of the choir, gave Sir Charles a bottle of
wine.
Hugh Bean, associate leader of the philhar-
monic orchestra. presented him with the
Royal Horticultural Society Gardening Encyclopaedia and plant vouchers on. behalf of
the orchestra.
““*Conductors come of age at 70." he said.
“we are really proud not only to make music
with you, sir, but to call you a friend.
“The humanity which Sir Charles displays
in his work is not only confined to music. He
is also interested in gardening. We thought
that shrubs have somethings in common with
orchestral players — they need nurturmg and
occasionally holding in check.”
Herr Prof. Beuerle said the Missa Solemnis,
with Beethoven's mottos “from the heart to
the heart,” and “request for interior and exterior peace,” was most appropriatq_ for their
joint concert.
Sir Charles was overwhelmed “!t 1s a bit
like Christmas,” he said.
Al
-