Margot MacGibbon

Margot MacGibbon was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia on 13 March 1906.^[1] As a child, she received lessons from her aunt in both piano and violin, before settling on the latter and performing solo in local concerts.^[1]

In 1927, MacGibbon was awarded an Associated Board Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London.^[1] She studied violin with Spencer Dyke, piano with Frank Britton, and harmony with Harry Farjeon.^[1] Later, she studied under the pianist Clifford Curzon, and violin with Sascha Lasserson.^[1][3] While at the academy, she won a number of prizes, and while still a student was made sub-professor in ensemble playing.^[1]

In 1931 she married Frederick Jackson, who she had met while at the Royal Academy of Music.^[1] Jackson was a pianist and choirmaster.^[1] Following their marriage, the couple toured Europe, Australia, and New Zealand - described as "musically inseparable".^[1] He died in 1972, while conducting a performance.^[1]

MacGibbon formed her string quartet in 1936, going on to perform regularly around the UK, and frequently broadcast on the BBC.^[1][4] The MacGibbon Quartet gave regular concert series at London's Conway Hall from 1936 to 1969.^[5] As well as in her own quartet, MacGibbon performed many times with others over the course of her career, including with well-known ensembles such as the English Chamber Orchestra.^[1]

She was a founding member of the London Mozart Players under Harry Blech.^[1] Blech praised MacGibbon as an excellent player, saying: “I always liked to have her near the front".^[2]

The Musical Times wrote that:

For Margot MacGibbon, versatility was both a professional strength and source of personal pride; but perfectionism of craft was no less central to her approach music.^[5]

In 1979, MacGibbon co-founded The Sascha Lasserson Memorial Trust, serving on the panel of adjudicators for the international Lasserson Memorial Violin Competition.^[1][6][2]

Margot MacGibbon continued playing into her nineties, even after suffering a stroke.^[1] She still taught, and prepared pupils for exams, at the age of 90.^[2]

She died in London on 4 September 1998.^[1] The Times remembered her as "a musician of formidable character, and natural talent", and "a tiny, colourful and complex person".^[2] In 1999, the Margot MacGibbon Award for an Australian violinist was established at the Royal Academy of Music, in her memory.^[7]