Remembering Beryl Kimber OBE

It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Beryl Kimber OBE last Friday in Sydney. Alongside her late husband, Clemens Leske, Beryl Kimber was a much-loved figure at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, where she served as Associate Professor of Violin from 1964 until 1998.

Beryl enjoyed a distinguished international career as virtuoso, performing widely throughout Europe, Russia, and Asia, and as soloist with every major British orchestra. At the Elder Conservatorium, Beryl was responsible for several generations of celebrated Australian violinists, including Adele Anthony, Sophie Rowell, Margaret Blades, Sally Cooper, Helen Ayres, and Niki Vasilakis. She instituted the Elder Conservatorium’s celebrated Bach Festival, and was a regular performer on our stages, often alongside her beloved Clemens. In 2008, Beryl and Clemens were presented with Distinguished Alumni Awards by the University of Adelaide, and in 2015, Niki Vasilakis organised a memorable tribute concert for the couple, attended by former students from around the world, and their son, pianist Clemens Leske (Jnr).

Dr Luke Dollman, Deputy Director of the Elder Conservatorium and Lecturer in Conducting, studied violin with Beryl in the 1990s, and writes that ‘the passing of Beryl Kimber has been deeply felt by Australia’s musical community, particularly here in Adelaide where she was the leading figure in our strings community for several decades. Her beautiful sound, finely honed musicianship and boundless enthusiasm for string teaching were an inspiration to myself and countless other musicians now spread around the globe.’

Beryl was larger than life and will be dearly missed, but her formidable legacy continues.