William Richard Cade (30 June 1883 – 4 August 1957),
/ref> was an Australian violinist and conductor, the founding conductor of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

History

Cade was born in Adelaide and educated at the Pulteney Street School (now

Pulteney Grammar School Pulteney Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, co-educational, private day school. Founded in 1847 by members of the Anglican Church, it is the second oldest independent school in South Australia. Its campuses are located on South Terrace ...

). He studied at the

Elder Conservatorium The Elder Conservatorium of Music, also known as "The Con", is Australia's senior academy of music and is located in the centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It is named in honour of its benefactor, Sir Thomas Elder. Dating in ...

from 1899 to 1909, under Hermann Heinicke. From 1904 to 1910 he was a violinist and music teacher. He studied at the Max Pohl Conservatorium in

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of cities in Germany by population, largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European Union by population within ci ...

in 1910, became the leader of the

Quinlan Opera Company Thomas Quinlan, (10 March 1881, Bury – 20 November 1951, Holborn) was a musical impresario, best known for founding the Quinlan Opera Company. Early life and career Thomas Quinlan was the son of Dennis Quinlan, a railway clerk, and Ellen ...

orchestra in London in 1911, and also studied with Sir

Thomas Beecham Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet, Order of the Companions of Honour, CH (29 April 18798 March 1961) was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic and the Roya ...

.Atkinson, Knight, McPhee, The Dictionary of Performing Arts in Australia
/ref> He returned to Adelaide in 1912 and married that year. For the next 16 years he was associated with J. C. Williamson's company, while also conducting cinema orchestras and the Theatre Royal Orchestra. In 1929 he moved to

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

to lead the Regent and Plaza Theatres' orchestras, conducting over 7,000 times, and also became conductor of the Victorian Professional Symphony Orchestra, a group of 80 players. In 1929 he formed the Adelaide Wireless Chorus (later renamed the Adelaide Singers). In 1936, he was the conductor of the Adelaide Studio Orchestra, which consisted of 16 players and performed light music for radio audiences. it was increased in size by merging with players from the defunct South Australian Orchestra, and renamed the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. He led the orchestra for the next 12 years, until retiring in 1948. During this time he also conducted other

Australian Broadcasting Commission The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-owned ...

(ABC) orchestras around Australia.

Norman Chinner Norman Chinner LRSM OBE (7 August 1909 – 5 November 1961) was a South Australian organist and choirmaster. History Chinner was born in Malvern, South Australia, a son of Charles Williams Chinner (18 July 1866 – 21 March 1953) and Winnifred ...

served as his assistant for many years before their responsibilities were divided, with Chinner taking over as choirmaster. After retirement he was appointed an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Musicians Union. Cade died in his home town in 1957, aged 74. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.

References

1883 births 1957 deaths Australian conductors (music) Australian classical violinists Male classical violinists 20th-century conductors (music) 20th-century classical violinists 20th-century Australian male musicians 20th-century Australian musicians {{Australia-musician-stub