The Petra Quartet’s founding violist was widely respected in Australia’s orchestral and chamber music scenes
The death has been announced of Australian violist Simon Oswell, following reports of a heart attack.
Oswell studied in both Australia and the United States. During his time in California, Oswell held principal viola positions in orchestras including the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Mozart Classical Orchestra, and the Carmel Bach Festival, and was active in the motion picture recording industry.
Upon returning to Australia, he appeared as principal violist with ensembles including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra, as well as the Melbourne, Queensland, Adelaide and Tasmanian symphony orchestras.
As a chamber musician, Oswell co-founded the Petra Quartet and performed with ensembles including the Firebird Trio, Australian Trio, Ensemble Liaison, Wilma and Friends, Trio Dali, Ironwood Ensemble, Quartz Quartet, and at festivals including the Albury Chamber Music Festival and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM).
As a music educator, he served as artistic director of the ClunesMusic summer chamber music program and tutored at the Young Mannheim Symphonists program.
Oswell performed on a 1740 Gaspare Lorenzini viola made in Piacenza, Italy.
AFCM paid tribute to the violist on social media:
‘AFCM deeply mourns the passing of Simon Oswell, a cherished violist whose profound musicianship, warmth, and generous spirit left an indelible mark on AFCM’s stages. His distinguished international career spanned decades, but it was his heartfelt dedication to collaboration and mentorship that truly epitomised the essence of chamber music.’
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