Richard Farrell

Richard Farrell (30 December 1926 – 27 May 1958) was a New Zealand classical pianist who achieved almost legendary status, but whose flourishing career was terminated in a road accident at the age of 31. He has been described as New Zealand's "greatest classical pianist".

Musical career

Early life

Thomas Richard Farrell was born in Auckland in 1926 to Thomas and Ella Farrell, and spent most of his young years in Wellington. His parents were not musicians, but his uncle, John Farrell, was an actor and singer with J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd. He attended St Mary's Convent School and St. Patrick's College, both in Wellington.

He made his first radio broadcast when aged only four. From age six he had piano lessons with Florence Fitzgerald, and from age 9 he studied with Gordon Short. At age seven Farrell played his own composition, a lament on the death of Archbishop Francis Redwood, in a public concert with the Wellington Symphony Orchestra. At the age of 12, he was noted to possess absolute pitch.