Wilf's latter day wanderings

26/11/2007

Wilfred Simenauer (1943, 1945-46), first featured in the Where Are they Now? column last year.

Wilf Simenauer, in 1966, preparing for a performance with the New Zealand Symphonc Orchestra

Wilf fled from Nazi Germany to New Zealand along with his brother Frank (1941-42) and became one of this country’s foremost musicians. He was sub-Principal cellist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1950 to 1953, was Principal cellist for Sadler’s Wells Opera & Ballet Orchestra from 1953 to ’55, while also deputising for the BBC’s Symphony Orchestra, the BBC’s Concert Orchestra and with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Wilf then went on to play for the Philharmonia Orchestra (1955-57); the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1957-60); the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Ensemble, where he was a Founder member and co-Principal cellist in 1959; and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal cellist) from 1960 to ’64.

Wilf - walking off the Whitrby fish and chips - on this month's Tongoriro crossing

Upon returning to New Zealand, he was the Principal cellist for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra from 1965 to ’70; and the co-Principal cellist (1971-93). He also played as Principal cellist for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 1970.

He has also been a regular soloist with the BBC, ABC and Radio NZ, and the New Zealand Chamber Music Federation, along with playing concertos in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Wilf was the solo cellist on the NZSO’s tour of Australia in 1974 with Kiri te Kanawa and Michael Houston.

Wilf has recently visited England to see hisnewly bornfirst grandchild, Tara, and was invited by his Kiwi tramping friends to join them on the "Alternative Coast-to-CoastWalk", from Arnside in the West - just below the Lake District,to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, just north of Whitby. The group covered the 184 kilometre trek in nine days.

During the visit Wilf celebrated his my 79th birthday with what he describes as the best fish and chips on the planet - Haddock, at Whitby.

After returning home Wilf completed the Tongoriro Crossing, starting at Mangatepopo, reporting that he survived - just!