Leone "Billie" Stredwick (1928-2004) was an Australian pianist.
Leone Stredwick | |
|---|---|
 Leone Stredwick c.1953 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Billie, Leone Myers |
| Born | 1928 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 2004 |
| Occupation | musician |
| Instrument | piano |
| Years active | 1940s-1960s |
Career
editLeone Stredwick grew up in Grafton, New South Wales and studied piano at the Sydney Conservatorium at age 15 under Alexander Sverjensky.[1] She won the ABC's 1947 Concerto and Vocal Competition with a solo piano performance, and was a finalist for a Juliliard scholarship.[2][3]
She moved to London in 1948 for further study, after a scholarship was raised for her,[4][5] and toured England into the 1950s.[6] At 22 years old, she gave her first solo recital in England at Wigmore Hall.[7][8]
After returning to Australia, Stredwick performed solo and with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra,[9][10] and made appearances on radio and television.[6] She returned to England again in 1961, but injured a finger while practising for a BBC recital and was forced to retire.[6]
During the 1970s she began performing again, but was diagnosed with a brain tumour that affected her manual dexterity. Once it was removed she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and retired once more.[6] She died in 2004 aged 75.[6]
Personal life
editWhile in London, Stredwick married Australian journalist Hal Myers in 1950.[6] They had been childhood friends,[11] and delayed their marriage so Stredwick could focus on her music career.[12] During the 1960s, they adopted two children Roger and Lucy, who both later pursued careers in music.[6]
Leone Stredwick's sister Maxine played cello,[13] and married a Dutch pianist.[1] Their mother Vera Giovanelli played violin.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b "London is Exacting Sphere for The Young Instrumentalist". ABC Weekly. 14 (10): 19. 8 March 1952 – via Trove.
- ^ "Concerto and Vocal Finalists from N.S.W. ABC weekly Vol. 8 No. 18 (18 May 1946)". Trove. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "N.S.W. VOCAL, CONCERTO FINALISTS Concert on April 17 - ABC weekly Vol. 10 No. 21 (22 May 1948)". Trove. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Leone Stredwick To Study In England". Daily Examiner. 29 July 1948. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "LEONE STREDWICK PROGRESSES WITH MUSICAL STUDIES". Daily Examiner. 30 March 1949. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g "A pianist of elegance and grace". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 July 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "London Concert By Leone Stredwick". Townsville Daily Bulletin. 11 April 1951. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Important Recital For Leone Stredwick". Macleay Argus. 8 May 1951. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "LEONE STREDWICK COMING". Northern Star. 23 August 1952. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Leone Stredwick With Symphony Orchestra". Daily Examiner. 17 March 1952. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "My Eternal Thanks —Leone Stredwick". Daily Examiner. 19 November 1952. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "LEONE STREDWICK TO MARRY". Macleay Argus. 17 November 1950. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ a b "LEONE STREDWICK HAD MUSICAL FAMILY". Kyogle Examiner. 11 May 1948. Retrieved 24 June 2023.