Daryl Irvine

Irvine, Daryl

(Helen) Daryl Irvine. Pianist, teacher, b Toronto 25 Aug 1932; ARCT (organ performance, RCM), ARCT (piano performance, RCM), LRSM (piano pedagogy, Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music), ARCM (organ and piano performance, Royal College of Music). Daryl Irvine studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music with Earle Moss 1948-51 and Eric Rollinson 1949-53, graduating in 1951. She won a scholarship from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and studied in London (Royal College of Music, 1954-7) with Norman Greenward and Herbert Howells. She appeared in recitals in Europe, winning praise in London and Berlin. Irvine performed chamber music in Casals' master classes in Switzerland in 1958 and 1959. On Canada Council scholarships, 1958-60, she studied in England and in Germany with Karl Engel. At the Royal College of Music she won the Dannreuther Concerto Prize and the Marie Curtis Prize 'for performance of Brahms' Sonata in F minor.' In 1960 she entered a competition in Hanover and won both first and second prizes for chamber music. She included Canadian music in all her programs. Walter Buczynski composed his Sonata (1967) for her, and she gave the premiere of his Four Movements for Piano and Strings in 1970 with the Toronto Repertory Orchestra. She appeared with the Boyd Neel Orchestra, the Hart House Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony, and performed for the CBC with orchestras conducted by Gary Bertini and Lukas Foss, as well as in solo and chamber recitals. In the UK, Irvine performed at London's Wigmore Hall, and in the US 30 Oct 1970 at Carnegie Hall. Irvine began teaching at the Royal Conservatory of Music in 1960 and was director 1986-90 of the examination department; she continues to teach both piano and organ there and is a festival adjudicator. With her husband R.G. Condie she co-authored How to Prepare for and Take a Practical Music Examination (Oakville, Ont, 1984). Irvine is also affiliated with Royal American Conservatory Examinations. She is a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, and in 2002 received its special teacher award.