Gabor Reeves was a Hungarian-born clarinetist who was popular on the continent and found popularity in his new home of Australia. Background Gabor Reeves was one of Australia's leading classical musicians. He was also a burlesque showman and in the early stages played Jazz to support himself.
He was born Gabor Revesz in Budapest, Hungary in 1928 to Jewish parents Oszkar Revesz and Mitszu Kovesi. Oscar was a managing director of a large porcelain factory. He was also an accomplished amateur violinist. During World War II the family converted to Catholicism to avoid persecution.State Library - One Search, Details, Gabor Reeves, principal clarinettist for the Queensland State Orchestra, DescriptionWorld Clarinet Alliance - Gabor Reeves - In Memoriam
He came to Australia in 1948, and his last name was changed to the anglicized Reeves. The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14, 2008 - Clarinet call, with burlesque
During Reeves' career, he found great success as a soloist in chamber music in both England and the European continent.The Australian Jewish Herald, August 28, 1964 - Page unknown
In 1951, Reeves became the principal clarinetist for the Queensland State Orchestra.State Library - One Search, Details, Gabor Reeves, principal clarinetist for the Queensland State Orchestra, Description
It was written in an edition of The Age (4 October 1963) that he would attempt to gauge how his performance would be, he would do his last rehearsal in front of his wife. She would then tell him what she thought of it. The paper also wrote that he wouldn't always take his wife's advice.The Age, Friday, October 4, 1983 - Page 2 News of the Day, Testing Career 1950s to 1960s On Saturday 12 July 1952, Reeves and soprano singer Tatjana Hitrina performed at the Sydney Town Hall with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra which was conducted by Tibor Paul.The Sunday Mail, July 13, 1952 – Page 16 "New Australians' concert balance, FANTASY" By Ernest Briggs
It was reported in the Friday 4 October 1963 issue of The Age that on the coming Tuesday, Reeves was to appear with soprano Rita Streich at the Town Hall.The Age, Friday, October 4, 1983 - Page 2 News of the Day, Testing
It was announced in the 28 August 1964 edition of The Australian Jewish Herald that Reeves was appearing as guest artist in a chamber music concert at the Coppin Hall in Prahran at 8 pm on 30 August 1964.The Australian Jewish Herald, August 28, 1964 - Page unknown
On 22 July 1965, an ensemble comprising Thomas Wightman on bassoon, Gabor Reeves on clarinet, David Cubbin on flute, Stanley Fry on horn, Jiri Tancibudek on oboe, and Clemens Leske on piano performed at a mid-day concert at the Elder Hall in Adelaide, South Australia.AusStage - Mid-day Concert
As part of the University of Adelaide Quintet, he was set to appear at the City Hall in Bendigo on 1 April 1966.Victorian Collections - Document - THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE WIND QUARTET (Note: it should be Quintet) 1970s to 1980s The Adelaide Wind Quintet was appearing at the City Hall in Bendigo at 8:15 pm on Wednesday 15 April 1970.Victorian Collections - Document - ADELAIDE WIND QUARTET, CITY HALL, BENDIGO, 15 April, 1970
In the early 1970s, Reeves, the Adelaide Wind Quintet and indigenous didgeridoo player George Winunguj played together. Other musicians were David Cubbin, Jiri Tancibudek, Thomas Wightman and Patrick Brislan.Fever Pitch Magazine, December 14, 2021 - The Living Music Report, 2019 They can be heard on the track, "Sextet for Didjeridu and Wind Instruments" on the Symphony No. 1 And No. 2 album credited to George Dreyfus on Southern Cross Records SCCD 1024.Discogs - George Dreyfus, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – Dreyfus: Sextet / Symphony No. 1 And No. 2
In the early 1980s, Reeves was a member of the Sydney Wind Quintet. The ensemble also included Michael Scott, Josef Hanic, Gordon Skinner, and Anthony Buddle. They were pictured in the October 1982 issue of Electronics Australia.State Library of Western Australia - MUSICA VIVA PROGRAMMES 1982, Jun 22ndElectronics Australia, October 1982 - Page 36 The Sydney Wind Quintet: Michael Scott — flute; Josef Hanic — oboe; Gabor Reeves — clarinet; Gordon Skinner — bassoon; Anthony Buddle — horn.
On 30 October 1988, Reeves and his ensemble played at the Verbruggen Hall Conservatorium. Performing with Reeves were Rachel Valler on piano, Alex Todicescu on viola, Georg Pederson on cello, and his sons Ron Reeves on percussion and Stephen Reeves on double bass. The music they were performing included Mazart and Brahms. The performance was reviewed by Fred Blanks in the 4 November issue of the Sydney Morning Herald. He mentioned Reeves' excellent clarinetting and said that he continued to show others how the clarinet should behave.The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 November 1988 - Page 16 Arts, Gabor Points the way - FRED BLANKS
1990s For his services to music and his work in education, Reeves was awarded an AM. In 1996 he was still teaching and playing chamber music but was forced to stop due to Parkinson's disease.The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14, 2008 - Clarinet call, with burlesque Death He died in 2008.The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14, 2008 - Clarinet call, with burlesque He was survived by his wife Anthea, former wife Zsoka, brother Janos, his sisters-in-law Maria and Diana, his sons Steve and Ron, his stepchildren Nikki and Richard and their families.The Sydney Morning Herald, June 14, 2008 - Clarinet call, with burlesque
Discography + Singles & EPs Act Release Catalogue Year Role Notes National Folk Dance Players National Dances 5 His Master's Voice 7EG 8754 1962 Clarinet EPDiscogs - National Folk Dance Players – National Dances 5 Pat Shuldham-Shaw European National Dances - Dances of Portugal His Master's Voice 7EG 8786 1966 Clarinet EP Koha - National dances 5 / National Folk Dance Players.Discogs - Pat Shuldham-Shaw* – European National Dances - Dances Of Portugal
+ Album Act Release Catalogue Year Role Notes The University of Adelaide Wind Quintet Plays Mozart - Hindemith - Danzi - Ibert W&G WG-B-S-5008 1966 Clarinet LP Don Banks, Peter Tahourdin, Robert Cooper, Garbor Reeves, Clemens Leske Australian Composers Australian Broadcasting Commission RRC30 1967 Clarinet LP George Dreyfus Symphony No. 1 And No. 2 Southern Cross Records SCCD 1024 1992 Clarinet CD Discogs - Gabor Reeves, Credits References
External links Discogs - Gabor Reeves