Brenda Lucas Ogdon: A Life Dedicated to Music and Family
The pianist Brenda Lucas Ogdon, who has passed away at the age of 90, is remembered not only for her own musical talents but for her profound dedication to her husband, the celebrated pianist John Ogdon. Her life was a testament to the sacrifices made in the name of love and art, as she balanced a promising solo career with the demands of caring for a family and a husband grappling with mental illness.
Rise to Prominence in a Musical Duo
Brenda achieved significant recognition through her partnership with John Ogdon, one of the most brilliant performers of his generation. The duo was formed at the suggestion of conductor John Minchinton, and their breakthrough came in 1962 when Lord Harewood invited them to perform Bartók's Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion at the Edinburgh International Festival. This performance was a notable success, leading to a repeat engagement the following year.
John's joint victory at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1962, sharing first place with Vladimir Ashkenazy, catapulted the couple into the international spotlight. They embarked on tours across the globe, including visits to Australia in 1964, where Brenda juggled separate performing schedules with caring for their infant daughter, Annabel. Subsequent tours took them to the United States and the Soviet Union, with memorable performances such as Mozart's Concerto for Three Pianos in Houston, featuring conductor André Previn.
Celebrated Recordings and Premieres
In 1968, the Ogdon duo gave the premiere of Alan Rawsthorne's Concerto for Two Pianos and Stravinsky's Concerto for Two Solo Pianos at the Proms. Their recording of the Bartók Sonata was released that same year, and they made two appearances at the Proms in 1969. Other acclaimed recordings include Rachmaninov's two Suites for Two Pianos in 1975 and Messiaen's Visions de l'Amen in 1971, showcasing their versatility and technical prowess.
Personal Struggles and Literary Contribution
John's battles with mental illness, and Brenda's resilience in coping while raising a family, were poignantly documented in the book Virtuoso (1981), which she co-wrote with Michael Kerr. The book was revised just before John's death in 1989 from pneumonia, exacerbated by undiagnosed diabetes. In the BBC Screen Two docudrama adapted from the book that same year, the couple were portrayed by Alison Steadman and Alfred Molina.
Reflecting on her life, Brenda wrote in Virtuoso, "John, impossible, adorable John, has dominated every aspect of my adult life." In a 2021 interview for the booklet notes of A Life in Music, a double-CD reissue of her recordings, she recalled being nominated for a Women of the Year award and feeling disconcerted at being designated "Brenda Lucas, author" on the place marker. Her recordings of John's music, particularly the two sets of Preludes and the Fourth Sonata, reveal a deep understanding of his creative spirit.
Early Career and Musical Foundations
Before her marriage to John in 1960, Brenda had a promising solo career. Inspired by the Australian pianist Eileen Joyce, she made her debut with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at age 21. She gave solo recitals for the BBC from their Manchester studio and delivered a critically acclaimed performance at London's Wigmore Hall in 1962.
Born in Hyde, Cheshire (now in Greater Manchester), Brenda was the elder daughter of Martha and Jack Lucas. Though not from a particularly musical household, her father was a keen ballroom dancer, and her mother could play the piano "a little." At age seven, Brenda began picking out tunes by ear on an upright piano, leading to lessons with a local teacher, Mrs Round. Her talent flourished at Harrytown high school in Bredbury, Stockport, where she scored the highest mark in the country at Grade VII and received the Associated Board's gold medal at 13.
Education and Meeting John Ogdon
After scholarships at the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music proved impractical, Brenda enrolled at the Royal Manchester College of Music in 1952, studying with Iso Elinson. There, she gained a reputation as an accompanist for musicians like violinist Martin Milner and attended summer courses at the Salzburg Mozarteum in 1956-57. It was at the RMCM that she met John Ogdon, alongside fellow students Harrison Birtwistle and Peter Maxwell Davies. She graduated with honours in 1957, and the couple moved to London, where Brenda took lessons with Ilona Kabos in the early 1960s.
Sacrifices and Later Years
After the birth of their second child, Richard, Brenda put her performing career on hold to care for her children and husband, as John's illness led to intermittent violence through the 1970s. Although he resumed performing in the 1980s, Brenda found it challenging to revive her own career, despite touring with him in the Soviet Union in 1985. However, she later returned to the stage with tours to the US and Hong Kong in 1996, and made fine recordings of works by Bach, Debussy, and Ravel.
Legacy and the John Ogdon Foundation
In 1993, Brenda established the John Ogdon Foundation, dedicated to preserving her husband's musical legacy, and became a noted teacher. She is survived by her children, Annabel and Richard, and four grandchildren. Brenda Lucas Ogdon's life was a blend of artistic achievement and personal devotion, leaving an indelible mark on the classical music world.
