Farquhar Wilkinson

After graduating from the Royal College of Music, Wilkinson played with the Sadler's Wells Ballet for a time,^[2] before returning to New Zealand where he joined the National Orchestra of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service—now called the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO)—in 1953.^[8] Two years later he became the orchestra's principal cellist, in which role he continued until retiring in 1992.^[8] During that period, he was a cello tutor for the New Zealand National Youth Orchestra, and played regularly with the Alex Lindsay String Orchestra as principal cellist between 1961 and 1973.^[8]

Throughout his career, Wilkinson was active in chamber music. He played with the Rosner Chamber Music Ensemble in 1955.^[9] In 1958, he was part of the Malcolm Latchem String Quartet that won the Judith Bagnall Prize for string quartet playing. The quartet, led by Malcolm Latchem who had moved to New Zealand and joined the National Orchestra in 1956, subsequently toured New Zealand.^[10] After Latchem returned to England the following year, Wilkinson became part of the newly formed Aspey String Quartet, led by Vincent Aspey.^[11] In 1961, Wilkinson was a founding member of the New Zealand String Quartet, led by Alex Lindsay, which toured throughout New Zealand and undertook extensive broadcasting work.^[8][12]

In 1964, Wilkinson was an inaugural recipient of a study bursary from the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation that enabled members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to study overseas for six months.^[13] He travelled to Britain in January 1965, stopping in Hong Kong where he performed on television. In London, he played with the London Symphony Orchestra, and made a two-week concert tour with the orchestra that included the Prague Spring Festival. He also undertook advanced study with William Pleeth, observed master classes by Nadia Boulanger, and did freelance playing with various London orchestras.^[14]

Towards the end of his career with the NZSO, Wilkinson was awarded the Queen's Service Medal, for public services, in the 1991 New Year Honours.^[15]

After retiring from the NZSO, Wilkinson moved to Waikawa Bay, near Picton.^[2] He died in Blenheim on 25 October 2022, aged 90.^[16] He had been predeceased by his wife, Barbara, in 2017.^[7]