TRIBUTE TO MOIRA BIRKS FROM CHRIS BALLANTINE

Professor Chris Ballantine pays tribute to celebrated pianist and music teachers.

Professor Christopher Ballantine, University Fellow of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Music, pays tribute to the late Moira Birks.

“I am sad to relate the news of the death last night of Moira Birks (Kearney), one of the country's most celebrated pianists and piano teachers, and the first person to occupy the post of piano lecturer in the School of Music.

Moira was appointed by Professor Michael Brimer, the inaugural Head of Music; and during the many years that she was on our staff some of the country's most talented young pianists studied with her, many of whom went on to pursue distinguished musical careers both here and abroad.

Among her abundant and remarkable qualities as a musician and human being, perhaps the ones most admired by her peers and students were her luminous musical intelligence, an astonishingly precise analytical mind, and a deep sense of personal and artistic integrity. These were always evident in her performing and in her teaching.

After her retirement, Moira continued to pursue a very active musical life in the city, especially as a teacher of piano and music theory. Now the doyenne of South Africa's pianists, she was actively sought out by advanced students. Both the School of Music and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra marked her 90th birthday by presenting concerts in her honour.”

A Requiem Mass will be held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, corner Musgrave and St Thomas Roads, Musgrave on February 26 at 10h30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Right to Live Campaign, PO Box 50299, Musgrave Road, 4062.