GARETH HUDSON,
Madam, - I refer to the report of the death of Ron Goodwin in your edition of January 10th. In mourning the loss of a fine composer and a true gentleman it would be a shame not to celebrate the long association between Ron Goodwin and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Ron conducted the orchestra at the National Concert Hall on numerous occasions over the past 20 years and established a considerable following. He was a consummate professional and a man of great warmth and humour. His long-standing wish to perform with the orchestra in the West of Ireland was fulfilled in 2001 with a performance at the Clifden Arts Festival. Despite failing health in recent years, he managed to maintain an extraordinary ability to communicate with an audience.
He will be greatly missed from the profession, but his music will undoubtedly live on. - Yours, etc.,
GARETH HUDSON, Executive Producer, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.