Peter Cropper was no ordinary violinist. He was a thinker, who considered everything he played with the utmost zeal, probing every detail with ardent determination. For this reason, his Lindsay Quartet became the first to champion Michael Tippett’s works for the medium, setting an example to all younger interpreters.
Tippett admired his skill in dealing with the unusual additive rhythms characteristic of his music: and also the fact that every performance he gave had fresh new features, rather than repeating plainly everything achieved before. Cropper asked questions constantly and Tippett found that exciting, as it reflected his own desire to make each work a “new” experience – advice given to the composer by TS Eliot early in his career.
Cropper also supported other upcoming composers with equal commitment. A model musician, he will be much missed.
