Richard Phillips, a distinguished classical music impresario who passed away at the age of 85, leaves behind a legacy of over 100 arts festivals that enriched cultural life across Britain. His career, marked by innovation and dedication, began with the founding of the York early music festival and the Huddersfield contemporary music festival in the late 1970s.
Building a Festival Empire
In 1980, Phillips returned to his family home in Warwick, where he established the Warwick festival, an annual event that ran until 2005. Known for its focus on chamber music, the festival utilized the town's intimate venues and rural churches in Warwickshire, gaining renown for its high-quality performances.
Expanding Cultural Horizons
Beyond Warwick, Phillips directed numerous other festivals, including the Norfolk & Norwich festival from 1986 to 1991, where he transformed it from a triennial to an annual event. He also led festivals in Solihull, King's Lynn, and Stratford-upon-Avon, and organized concerts in National Trust properties. In 2001, he founded the literary festival Warwick Words, showcasing his versatility in the arts.
Early Life and Career
Born in Northgate, Warwick, Phillips was raised by his mother Isobel after his father Arthur died in Italy during World War II. Educated at Oundle school and Brasenose College, Oxford, where he studied modern history, he initially taught in Italy and at Warwick school before moving into arts administration.
His professional journey included roles with Sadler's Wells Opera from 1966 and the Yorkshire Arts Association from 1970. After his mother's death in 1980, he married Veronica Mountford, started a wine business, and focused on promoting music in the Midlands, replicating his earlier successes in Yorkshire.
Later Achievements and Recognition
In 2005, Phillips parted ways with Warwick Arts Society and, with Veronica, founded Leamington Music, an organization that continues to thrive. A passionate pro-European, he frequently traveled across the continent, fostering cultural exchanges, particularly with Czech musicians, which began with a visit to Prague in 1968.
His contributions were recognized with an honorary fellowship at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2001, an MBE appointment in 2016, and a medal for his role in Anglo-Czech relations in 2018. His last festival was held in 2024.
Richard Phillips is survived by his wife Veronica, their two daughters Katie and Lucy, and nine grandchildren, leaving a lasting impact on the classical music scene.
