England: famous people
Francis Baines 1917 - 1999
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Francis Baines was one of Britain's most accomplished classical music double-bass players.
He was a collector of rare and early musical instruments, a gifted composer and an inspired
teacher. He also played the pipe and tabor.
Baines never appeared to take himself, or anything else, for that matter, seriously. But behind
the quick, dry throwaway humour there was a history of solid work and a real contribution
to the musical life of Britain. He was a visiting professor at the Royal College of Music, for
many years a lecturer and demonstrator in schools, and at one time ensemble coach
to the Oxford University Music Club. He also founded the Chamber Music Club
of the Mary Ward Settlement in London when he was a Lecturer there from 1948 to 1950.At Aldeburgh in the nineteen Fifties and Sixties he was a frequent performer at the festival
displaying his versatility by playing the double-bass, the French bagpipes (the musette),
pipe and tabor, shawm and hurdy-gurdy. He took part in a performance of the Schubert
"Trout" quintet with Benjamin Britten and the Amadeus Quartet and played no fewer
than nine instruments in a recording of medieval music made many years ago.The Independent - London; Apr 17, 1999
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