Paul Strang Obituary
Paul Strang, an influential figure in both the legal and musical worlds, passed away at age 91 after battling cancer. Born in London, Strang was the son of soprano Dora Labbette and renowned conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. His early life was marked by infrequent meetings with his father, as Beecham emigrated to the US during World War II.
Strang pursued a legal career, working as a solicitor in London for over five decades. Alongside his legal profession, he was deeply involved in the music community. He served as the chair of The Songmakers’ Almanac, guiding the ensemble through 20 seasons of recitals at Wigmore Hall. He played a crucial role in creating rehearsal spaces for orchestras at Henry Wood Hall and helped Trinity College of Music relocate to Greenwich in 2002, forming what is now the Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Strang also chaired the Tillett Trust, supporting young musicians, and was known for his exceptional musical judgments, which he attributed to inheriting his father's fine ear for music.
In addition to his contributions to music, Strang had a passion for wine. He authored four books on the subject, including "Wines of South-West France" (1994) and "Languedoc-Roussillon: the Wines and Winemakers" (2002).
He married Jeanne Heslop in 1965, who worked at Decca Records and authored a cookbook. Jeanne passed away in 2023 at their home in Aveyron, France, followed by Paul six months later. He is survived by Jeanne’s niece and nephew, Caroline and Christopher.