Vincent Aspey

Who was Vincent Aspey?

Vincent Aspey was a violinist, born in England, but raised in New Zealand, who rose to the rank of the first violinist of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In his later life, he taught violin to students, even those less willing, of the Raumati and Paraparaumu Colleges of New Zealand. Notable amongst his many abilities, was a tremendous ability for sight-reading, which undoubtedly helped him impart his knowledge of the violin, as all pieces were accessible to him, so that he could quickly absorb a piece, then suggest, according to his own musicality and experience, how it could be played, and how the piece could improve a player's own musicality.

His concert violin was a Guarneri, with a deeper and less brilliant tone than a Stradivari. He also played the viola, to approximately the same standard he played the violin. Vincent was about 5'8" but had good long fingers. His wife was an accomplished cellist.

Aspey attended New South Wales State Conservatorium from August 1928 to February 1929. In 1958, he was awarded an MBE. Victoria University of Wellington awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1974.