Sidonie Goossens, 105, Famed British Harpist
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Sidonie Goossens, a harpist and the last survivor of a musically distinguished quartet of brothers and sisters, died December 14 at her home in London. She was 105.
She was principal harpist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1930 until her retirement 50 years later.
In 1924, she became the first harpist to broadcast a harp solo. In 1936, she was the first harp soloist to appear on television. Her last broadcast performance was in 1991.
Her father and her grandfather, both named Eugene, were principal conductors of the Carl Rosa Opera Company.
Her sister Marie was also a harpist and held a succession of posts with British orchestras.
Her brother Leon, who died in 1988, was a renowned oboe player, and commissioned works from composers that included Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Another brother, Eugene, directed symphony orchestras in Rochester and Cincinnati in the United States, and later was chief conductor of the Syndey Symphony Orchestra in Australia.
