Obituaries Australia

Mr Richard Goldner, founder of Musica Viva Australia, this country's principal chamber music network and one of its most important concert-giving organisations, died in Sydney last Friday night after a sudden illness.

Mr Goldner, a musician and professional inventor whose contributions to the equipment of Allied services were acknowledged in official accounts of World War II, was one of the refugees from Nazi-dominated central Europe whose arrival in Australia made an incalculable difference to artistic developments here.

Bringing with him wide experience as a professional violin and viola player in Vienna and other centres, he was the driving force in the post-war inauguration of a Musica Viva society with its own chamber music ensemble. Although the enterprise in its original form had to be discontinued after nearly six years, it resurfaced as an enlightened supporter of visiting and resident chamber groups.

As honorary music director of Musica Viva for many years and as an outstanding teacher of violin and viola, Mr Goldner played a significant role in the heightening and deepening of musical activity here.

His wife, Charmian Gadd, who survives him, has continued her career as solo violinist and teacher.