Another of the stable of truly great “Gramophone” critics is gone. Robert Layton was erudite, insightful, authoritative, articulate, and accessible in a kind of balance, I am sorry to say, that is no longer common. Layton’s name may also be familiar from his contributions to the “Penguin Guide,” the music-collector’s bible, updated annually. Layton’s involvement with the guide began in 1968.
His was an especially prominent voice in the field of Nordic music. His advocacy of Northern composers was extensive, with a particular emphasis on the life and works of Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, and Franz Berwald.
In 1980, Layton pranked Stanley Sadie, editor of “Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians,” by including a bio of a wholly fictitious Danish composer he’d concocted. Not sure how I feel about that, but he certainly possessed the expertise to convincingly pull it off!
His observations were both absorbing and enriching. He contributed greatly to the expansion of my musical knowledge.
Layton was 90 years-old. R.I.P.
For Robert Layton: