A tribute to Richard Friedman, by Robert Gibbs, Leader of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia

Rick was universally loved by all who knew him, and by so many more who heard his wonderful artistry and musicianship.

He was Leader of our orchestra for several years in the 1980s before he became too busy leading the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Welsh SO, London Festival Orchestra, New Queen’s Hall Orchestra and several other ensembles including the Jardins Musicaux Festival in Switzerland.

Equally at home in everything from his beloved Bach to Gypsy music, he was blessed with a phenomenal technique (he would warm up with double trills from cold!) – but it was the poetry of his playing that transcended all else.

I met Rick on my first professional work which was a Cathedral tour with the LFO in 1988 – he immediately made me feel at home, and I already knew a little about him as his father Leonard, also a fine violinist, was a friend of my aunt Thirza – they were both professors at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire. Leonard formed the Scottish Baroque Ensemble and Mendelssohn on Mull Festival, in both, Rick regularly appeared as Soloist. Rick was also in the highly acclaimed Mondrian Trio which often broadcast on the BBC and recorded for the Merlyn label. With the LFO, Rick often played concerti and solo works and I joined him for countless Bach Doubles and other two violin concerti on foreign tours and in the UK.

Rick treated me as a younger brother – we shared a love of cricket as well as all things Violin, and as with his exceptionally talented siblings Sarah, Maria, Sonia and Ben, he nurtured, encouraged and inspired me. When he was forced to stop playing for several years with finger problems, he recommended me as his replacement with the LFO and NQHO. He returned to playing and took the Co-leader position with us in 2002, a less strenuous workload, and fell in love with and then married Helen, our most recent recruit in the violins. They have two beautiful daughters, Elise and Charlotte.

As he grew older, he became ever more caring and empathetic with his friends, and always had time and shrewd advice for anyone who needed it. He was always larger than life and the many stories of absent-minded moments are legendary – a completely unique, wonderful man!