Here is a picture of the late Alec Desmond Wrench. One time Bass player with the L.S.O. as well as player and Fixer for thr Philharmonia when it was first formed. I am trying to piece together many threads of his life within the musical world of the 1940s and 50s. He was Secretary to the L.S.O. immediately after their offices were bombed during the 'Blitz' on London. He used his family home to work from, ably assisted by a young lady whose name was Barbara Newton. I believe she lived near Bromley at the time, but after she left the L.S.O. when Des resigned as Secretary, Barbara moved to Threlkeld in Cumbria.Any information about Des, Barbara or the L.S.O. of that time would be very much appreciated.
Des Wrench was often visited by the Conductors and Artists of the day, but also helped a great deal in finding new teaching staff for the London Music Collages. He also had a passion for helping the South Coast Provincial Orchestras, and was known to give them his professional playing support even when he could have been otherwise engaged in London. He particularly liked it if he could bolster their perfomances of the St. Matthew Passion.
