Center of Huntly Festival 2-3 May 2008
Ronald Center was born in Aberdeen in 1913. He was the youngest of a distinguished musical family. He studied with two eminent musicians of the day Julian Rosetti (piano) and Willan Swainson (organ). Center went on to build his life as a musician and was much in demand as a performer, accompanist, teacher, church organist and choral conductor.
In 1943, with his wife Evelyn, Center settled in Huntly where he remained until his death thirty years later in 1973. During this time he taught music for six years in the Gordon Schools and then devoted himself to private tuition and composition. Despite being a self-taught composer Center’s ability was soon recognised and his symphonic poem “The Coming of Cuchulain” was played by the Scottish Orchestra, conductor Warwick Braithwaite, in 1944. Other works were publicly performed and broadcast to acclaim. As a composer he wrote for voice, solo instruments, strings and full orchestra. In the orchestration of his musical scores he was greatly aided by his wife, a notable soprano. He was her accompanist when she was on tour or broadcasting and together they formed a musical partnership.
Since Center’s death his music has been very little performed despite his undisputed skills and the compelling beauty of his art. However, his work has never ceased to be admired and efforts are now being made to bring his compositions to a wider audience. The Deveron Arts project “Center of Huntly” is a major part of this movement.