David Miller (1953 – 2025) had an astonishingly varied and long career that began in the heady days of Early Music discovery, in the 1970s.
Dai, as he was known to many friends and colleagues, was universally beloved by fellow-musicians; he was to be found shaping ensembles from within, from the Consort of Musicke through to years with the Sixteen, the Kings Consort, the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra and of course, the OAE. I was privileged to be his Lute co-principal, and would look forward to the release of a Forward Planner as an opportunity to chew the fat, compare notes, learn something new, and laugh over the absurdities of the lute player’s life.
He would be right in the heart of a rehearsal or tour bus, always pleased to see people, never impatient, and delivering a soft-spoken suggestion that would invariably make the music flow better.
From him I learned how to tour without going mad or bad: after a long day of intense rehearsal he would sometimes slip off for a quiet evening by himself; to find a Greek sunset, to hunt down the best Portuguese beachside restaurant or just to watch the waves – he was always pleased to find breakers that reminded him, he said, of the Welsh coast. Next morning he would be right in the heart of a rehearsal or tour bus, always pleased to see people, never impatient, and delivering a soft-spoken suggestion that would invariably make the music flow better. “Perhaps a little more time here?” was a tactful sign I was rushing madly, or “could we do that corner again?” seeking perfection every time.
He loved accompanying singers – Dame Emma Kirkby, James, Bowman, Nigel Short and Elin Manahan Thomas, with whom he made many fine recordings. His solo release, The Famous Weiss, is a masterclass of beautiful-toned, expressive and always intelligent playing.
David started out as a student of Chemistry at City University, but was lured away by his musical gifts and his obsession with the classical guitar. Before long, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Rodrigo became Dowland and he harnessed his energies to the lute and associated continuo instruments. He also met his wife Linda at a mutual friend’s 21st birthday party (cleverly he showed up with a guitar and they sang all night…) and they remained delightedly together ever since. Family was always first and centre: their three children Douglas, Kate and Rachel and their own children remain close. They were a source of his determination to work as much as possible to build their life in Chesham: quite literally when the delicate lute hands set to work laying a driveway or a floor. (As he would often remind us, he is also featured on the soundtrack of the Bob the Builder film.) “It’s nice to be home” he would always say after returning from all over the world.
Now I jump when I hear a fine instrument I sat next to so often in concerts and rehearsals, singing in different hands. Kind, thoughtful, a true artist, in this and many other ways he’s still with us.
Generations of younger players and students all learned much about life as well as music from David. A few months ago, he arranged for a mutual friend to gather his fine collection of instruments together to give first refusal to current and recently-graduated lute students rather than to wait and sell them anonymously. It was quite a moment witnessing this handover, and the generous thought was so very David. Now I jump when I hear a fine instrument I sat next to so often in concerts and rehearsals, singing in different hands. Kind, thoughtful, a true artist, in this and many other ways he’s still with us.
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