Harpsichord tuner dies after a stroke at Wigmore Hall

The early music world has been shocked by the sudden death of Tom Cochrane, the go-to harpsichord tuner. He was supplying an instrument for the Basel Chamber Orchestra at the Wigmore Hall when he collapsed on November 14 and subsequently died.

Message received:

Tom Cochrane son of harpsichordist Jill Severs and Maurice Cochrane has died suddenly at the age of 61. He was a familiar face to many musicians and followed in his father Maurice’s steps as a keyboard and tuning specialist. Those who got to know him found a warm, happy, generous, very funny and truly empathetic soul.

Tom grew up in a family of musicians and spent much of his youth playing his cello at Sheila Nelson’s group lessons in Highgate and touring with the ILEA School orchestras and the London School’s Symphony
Orchestra. He was deeply musical and listened to and loved a wide range of music.

After studying cello at Trinity college of music, Tom managed to combine his unique skills and had a rich and varied career that took him on many adventures and travels. Music was at the centre of his life but he was also an expert mariner. Having spent his childhood sailing, at the age of 18 he began working as an art director for film and TV. In between film jobs he worked as a delivery skipper and had extensive sailing experience working and living on board vessels in the Mediterranean, UK, USA and Mexico.

Tom had big dreams and ideas which he often shared and discussed and was able to make many of those dreams happen, delighting in bringing people along with him for the ride. Tom leaves behind his children, Rosa and Emily, his partner Anna and their young son Benjamin, Benjamin’s big brother Thomas, his mother Jill and three sisters, Tanya, Lisa and Laura. He will be missed immeasurably.

The Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras’ Handel: Messiah concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London on 16 December will be dedicated to Tom Cochrane’s memory.

A fundraiser has been launched here for his final project.