Musician, Marcus Burkitt (1903-1974)

The Wireless Weekly Vol.10 No.16 12 August 1927 p.1 https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-665441240/view?partId=nla.obj-665452504

Happy 100th birthday to the Strathfield Town Hall!

Among its numerous gatherings, Strathfield Town Hall has hosted many prominent Australian musicians during its 100 years. One local performer gave a concert there on Wednesday 25 November 1936. Pianist, Marcus Burkitt, had been blind since birth and lived at Yandilla, 25 Gelling Avenue, Strathfield. On this occasion he performed four groups of pianoforte solos which included Beethoven’s Sonata Opus 13, Chopin compositions, Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No.5, accompanied by his sister, mezzo-soprano, Miss Marjory Burkitt, also of Strathfield. Both had studied at the Conservatorium of Music.[1] They were joined by violin soloist, Miss Nora Williamson and singer, Mr Ulick King.

Marcus was born in Wickham, Newcastle, the fifth of six children, to Walter and Angelina Burkitt. He played his first piano piece before the age of two and was already performing publicly in the Sydney Town Hall by the age of ten, as the pupil of organist, Arthur Massey.[2] The occasion was a benefit concert in aid of the Freemason’s Benevolent Institution. Three months later he performed at the Theatre Royal, again in aid of charity.[3] During World War I, he also arranged and performed at fundraising concerts, including for the Sheepskin Clothing Fund.[4] His elder brother, Walter was abroad with the AIF serving with the 9th Field Ambulance and later as chaplain with the 33rd Battalion.[5]

Marcus Burkitt, aged 12

The Sun 19 September 1915 p.18 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221922474

During November 1919, aged 16, he performed at a concert in Goulburn where ‘Master Burkitt demonstrated a mastery of his medium and keen artistic ability. His comparative youth opens up a wide vista for future achievement.’ [6] The large audience showed its appreciation of every piece with ‘unstinting applause.’

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate 3 July 1920 p.8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138832714

By 1920 Marcus was performing at concerts in the Conservatorium.[7] The following year he performed for the Governor, Sir Walter and Dame Margaret Davidson at Government House.[8]

The family moved to Strathfield during the late 1920s, settling in Gelling Avenue. His father, Walter died in 1931 and mother, Angelina died in 1934. Marcus remained in the family home, which he owned, for the rest of his life. He was joined there by his musical sister, Marjory and her husband, Thomas Peberdy.

Marcus travelled widely throughout Australia to great acclaim as well as broadcasting from Radio station 2FC.

‘At his recent recital in Tamworth so great was the throng that numbers were unable to get into the hall. However, they remained near the open doors and windows right to the end.’[9]

He had a repertoire of 350 pieces, learned by ear. Interviewed by a reported from the Daily Telegraph in 1936 he confidently asserted that:

‘I have never forgotten a note I have ever learned… I believe I could play any of those 350 pieces without serious mistake at a minute’s notice.’[10]

At a reception for Helen Keller in Newcastle in 1948, ‘she placed her hand on the piano when Mr Burkitt played. Her very real enjoyment of the music was mirrored in the expressions on her face.’[11]

Marcus Burkitt died, aged 71, in 1974.

Visit the Strathfield Town Hall to view the exhibition celebrating Strathfield Town Hall’s Centenary until Saturday, 14 October 2023. If you can’t make it, the exhibition will be displayed in the Ironbark Gallery of Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub from 1 November until 10 December.

 

By J.J. MacRitchie

Local Studies Advisor

 

References

[1] The Armidale Chronicle 6 May 1922 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189773453

 

[2] Sydney Morning Herald 4 February 1914 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15475848

 

[3] Sydney Morning Herald 15 May 1914 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15507946

 

[4] Daily Telegraph 14 September 1915 p.8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/239112281

 

[5] Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate 23 June 1947 p.5 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/140304824

 

[6] Goulburn Evening Penny Post 6 November 1919 p.4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98907810

 

[7] Sydney Morning Herald 4 December 1920 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16878174

 

[8] The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 25 June 1921 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/103821864

 

[9] The Armidale Chronicle 10 May 1922 p.8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189773492

 

[10] Daily Telegraph 26 June 1936 p.9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247046493

 

[11] Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate 28 April 1948 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134322193