Music As We Know It

Jacqueline Mary du Pré did not live long - just some 40 and change years.  And her productive career as a musician was even shorter - she stopped giving performances in 1973 when she was only in her thirties. But in spite of these short years we know her as one of the greatest chellists  of all times.  In fact, nobody could play like her. Audience that had a chance to be present at her concerts called her mastership of the instrument as “legendary”

Jacqueline mostly played mostly two Stradivarius cellos.  The oldest cello of 1673 has its own name now - it is called  ”du Pré Stradivarius”.  This says a lot about  her persona. When I listen to her playing Haydn famous  cello concertos I still have very emotional experience.

As you may understand Jacqueline’s life was not a bed of roses.  Shot down by an incurable multiple sclerosis that took its toll on her and, eventually took her life too,  she had to retire from the stage.  While her health kept on declining, her husband  famous composer, pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim started an affair with Russian pianist Elena Bashkirova and had two sons with her before Jacqueline’s death.

Unfortunately, even after death Jacqueline was not allowed to rest in peace.  As soon as she was gone her less talented sister Hilary du Pré wrote and published a scandalous book A Genius in the Family.  Soon after publication even more controversial movie Hilary and Jackie followed.  People that knew Jacqueline were shocked and disgusted and her students picketed the premiere.  And Daniel Barenboim was so upset that he remarked  ”Couldn’t they have waited until I was dead?”