Tributes flow for past School of Music teacher Margaret Nielsen
New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī share fond memories of classical pianist and music teacher Margaret Nielsen, who passed away last week at the age of 90.
Margaret was well-known in the University community for her many years spent teaching piano. She also had a number of professional achievements, including performing piano works by New Zealand composers, in particular, those of her friend and colleague, the late Douglas Lilburn.
In Douglas’ words, "It has been a great incentive and privilege for me to compose music for a performer who so intuitively realised the sounds my manuscript notes were trying to formulate. Not only has she helped persuade me of the validity of my own search for authentic sounds, but she has made explicit and endeared to me the piano music of many of my composer colleagues."
Margaret is warmly remembered by her colleagues and students, having made a life-long impression on all who crossed her path. One of those colleagues is Dr Jian Liu, Programme Director of Classical Performance at New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī who shares the impact Margaret had on him early on in his career.
“I first met Margaret in the Adam Concert Room after my first recital in 2012, technically my interview recital. She was very kind and encouraging about my performance but immediately asked me whether I knew any New Zealand piano works, of which I had no knowledge at all. With sparkles in her eyes, she very energetically introduced me to the works by Lilburn and Farquhar. Thanks to her, my journey of exploration and learning of New Zealand music started from there! She will be missed!”
Diedre Irons, MBE—who previously held the post of Classical Performance Programme Director—also reflects on Margaret’s influence on New Zealand music, as well as her true zest for living.
“Margaret was among the most generous, warm, lively, and intelligent people I’ve had the good fortune to know. In her later years she was often to be seen walking around Karori where it was always such a pleasure to run into her and have a catch up.”
Sally-Jane Norman, New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī Director adds, “I met Margaret shortly after arriving at the University in 2017. We had delightful conversations at various events, notably about the specific place New Zealand music holds. Although I'd read Lilburn's writings, Margaret was concerned that I didn't have my own copy of the publication combining his two key lectures— ‘A Search for Tradition’ and ‘A Search for a Language’—and generously turned up at an event with a new copy which she gave me.”
Margaret’s legacy and generosity will live on, not only in an impressive body of works, but in the scholarship she personally funded to assist first-year Bachelor of Music students majoring in Classical Musical Performance.