Tributes to Tony

GRAHAM JOHNSON - PIANIST & RPS HONORARY MEMBER
“Tony Fell was one of those special threads, often invisible, but secure and binding, that hold together the life of musical London. To say that he was an adminstrator, or on the fringes of music, is to underestimate the force of his personality, even if he was always gentle and kind. He was a great observer and a listener, but he also made music with relish (I am proud to say he was a fellow song accompanist among other things) and he loved it with an energy given to few others. There was never a greater enthusiast and supporter of new talent. He could make people feel good about themselves and what they were doing; one always felt better after a chat with Tony having basked in his charm and being warmed by that inimitable smile. One went away from this quietly roving ambassador feeling that making music was a life-affirming occupation, and a privilege.”

JOHN GILHOOLY - DIRECTOR OF THE WIGMORE HALL AND RPS CHAIR
“Tony Fell was a man of enormous generosity and warmth whose passion for music and wise words made him a true friend to many composers and musicians of all ages. Whilst remaining true to the pioneering spirit of the society’s founding fathers, he reinvigorated the RPS with vision and energy and firmly laid foundations for today’s vibrant, engaged RPS.  We will remember him with great fondness and gratitude.”

DAVID LOWE (HONORARY SECRETARY 1996-2008)
“When in 1997 I asked Tony whether he would consider taking on the chairmanship, he said “I will only do it if I feel that I am able to make a difference”. And what a difference he made!”

ROSIE JOHNSON - RPS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“Working with Tony was always fun. He was endlessly curious about the world and full of boundless energy and unquenchable enthusiasm for great music, great theatre, great conversation, great food – you name it, we could talk about it.

Tony loved to be doing and hated red tape which he would cut straight through if he could. He was extraordinarily kind and generous but never wanted to be noticed for being so.  He was a wise adviser and an unofficial mentor to me and to many others in the music world.  All the RPS team miss him enormously.”

GRAHAM SHEFFIELD - BRITISH COUNCIL AND FORMER RPS CHAIR
“I think what I will always remember above all is Tony’s infectious enthusiasm - almost boyish at times, and his great sense of humour. His passion for new music was self-evident, and he was always so keen to share this, but never in a heavy-handed way.  It was he who approached me to join the RPS Council when he became Chairman, and that led to my own involvement which lasted in an official capacity for 15 years.  I am grateful to him for asking me, and also grateful for his relaxed and informal friendship over many years.  What a tremendous man, and what a great servant to the Society.  I am very saddened by his loss.” 

PENNY STEER - ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR 2000-2004
“Joining the RPS office in late 2000 was a revelation and a delight.  After many years in large, often amorphous, organisations I discovered the oasis of a small, closely-knit team with an increasing focus and immense commitment and expertise.  Tony was a marvellous Chairman and colleague, unfailingly generous with his time, with his wisdom and with his support.  His wit, his sharp intelligence, his delight in humour, the twinkle in the eye, his breadth of knowledge and experience all combined to give his comments and advice a very special quality.  I remember him with great fondness and gratitude.”

LAURIE WATT - RPS COUNCIL MEMBER
“From a sunny and cold New York, thank you letting me know this news which I am very sad to hear. He is a great loss and I am so pleased we were able to award him Honorary Membership this year. My sympathies, too, go out to Janis.”

MARIUS CARBONI - FORMER PRESS CONSULTANT
“I joined the RPS as a press consultant shortly before Tony became Chairman. He was a man I took to immediately. Firm, decisive, fair, generous and with a great smile, it was a pleasure to work for him and both the out-going Chief Executive Richard Fisher and the incoming one Rosie Johnson. Tony had a superb business brain coupled with a passion for music and musicians, a real sense of heritage and a vision. The RPS was a beneficiary of that passion and vision. His contribution to music publishing was enormous as was his commitment and love of music, especially to the composing fraternity.” 

BERNARD BROOK-PARTRIDGE -  FORMER RPS CHAIR
“His contribution to the Royal Philharmonic Society was of the greatest significance and far outweighed what almost any aggregate number of his immediate predecessors were able, or competent,  to do until the pathway was to an extent cleared. However the progress made thereafter under Tony’s guidance and leadership was immeasurably more that any of us could have attempted, let alone achieved, without any doubt whatever. A fine and decent man of great competence and inspired leadership. Came the hour, came the man.
The Society will remain forever in his debt and he will abide in our individual and corporate memories.”

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Tony’s family have asked that donations be made to the Royal Philharmonic Society and Marie Curie Cancer Care in lieu of flowers. To donate to the RPS in Tony’s memory please use the donate button at the top of the page and select ‘Tony Fell’ from the drop down option when prompted.