Contributor
Warwick Braithwaite
Composer
Biography
Warwick Braithwaite was born in Dunedin, one of the youngest children in a large family. His father owned a bookshop and later became Mayor of Dunedin. By the time Warwick was born at least two of his siblings, including his sister Mabel who married fellow Dunedinite William Manson, were living in London. Mabel and William’s son Willie was a highly promising young composer who was killed in the First World War. When Warwick left New Zealand in 1915 to study music in London he was supposed to be staying with Mabel. His autobiography, currently being edited for publication by Roger Flury, tells of how he arrived at her door. Willie had just been killed and Warwick reminded her so much of her dead son, being the same age, that their relationship was extremely strained and she refused to help him other than provide a roof over his head.
Braithwaite became a highly respected conductor, although his sometimes prickly personality often got him off-side with both authorities and players. He was Principal Conductor of the Scottish Orchestra, a conductor at Sadler’s Wells, Covent Garden and Music Director of Welsh National Opera. He became the first conductor of the BBC Wales Orchestra, and later became the third Music Director of the New Zealand National Orchestra in 1954, although the appointment wasn’t without its controversy; he had previously conducted the orchestra in 1947. He returned to New Zealand off and on to conduct the orchestra and retained a nostalgic fondness for the home of his birth. One story tells of how, after his last concert in Dunedin, he went out to St Kilda beach to gather a vial of sand to take with him back to Britain. He composed throughout his life, and some of his orchestral pieces were played in New Zealand. Many were inspired by New Zealand stories, such as the tone poem Hinemoa.
Braithwaite was a promoter of New Zealand music and musicians when he could, supporting and encouraging Douglas Lilburn, giving the first performance of Overture: Aotearoa in 1940, and performing many concerts with Arnold Trowell as soloist.