Violins, bows given in father’s memory

The family of the late violist Duncan Gillies, who served in World War 2 and played in both the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the forerunner to Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, have gifted two special violins and bows to the orchestra.

Duncan’s son Steve Gillies, of Dunedin, was delighted to attend the University of Otago end-of-year recital for DSO player Dan Walker late last year to see one of the violins in action.

"It was lovely to meet Dan at the recital and also viola player Grace Shaw, who is using one of the bows — they were so appreciative," Mr Gillies said.

"It feels very special to have that connection with the orchestra and its players ... to know that the violins and bows will continue to be cared for into the future."

DSO general manager Philippa Harris said the orchestra was "absolutely delighted that these excellent violins and bows can be used by its players".

"This is particularly valuable for up-and-coming players as they develop their playing techniques," she said.

The violins and bows — one for a violin and one for a viola — had been on long-term loan to the DSO since 2009 in memory of Duncan, who played in the orchestra’s viola section from 1971-1981.

Following the death of their mother Barbara (nee Horrell) last year, Mr Gillies and his brothers Roger, Martin and David decided to make the loan a permanent gift to the orchestra.

Mr Gillies said his father, then living in Invercargill, became a founding member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in the early 1940s, playing viola with the orchestra for a year.

In the midst of World War 2, Duncan signed up with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and was sent overseas, fighting in Egypt and Italy.

"Dad told me that he picked up the violins and bows while in Cairo, as apparently they had been brought there by German soldiers," Mr Gillies said.

On his eventual return to New Zealand, Duncan married Barbara Horrell and moved to Dunedin, where he worked at Alex Campbell’s Menswear and joined the then 4YA Orchestra.

This later became the Dunedin Civic Orchestra, the Southern Sinfonia and now is the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra.

Mr Gillies remembers handling the violins as a child and receiving violin lessons, but was not destined to become a violinist himself.

Instead, he took up the drums and played in Dunedin bands, including Heavy Leather in the 1970s.

"Though the violins and bows are no longer in the family, knowing that they are still being played and helping to fulfil players’ dreams is heart warming," Mr Gillies said.

brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz