Background
She was born in Liscard, Wallasey, Cheshire, a member of the famous Goossens family that had emigrated to Britain from Belgium in the 19th century. Her father and grandfather were both conductors, both called Eugène.
She was born in Liscard, Wallasey, Cheshire, a member of the famous Goossens family that had emigrated to Britain from Belgium in the 19th century. Her father and grandfather were both conductors, both called Eugène.
Her brother Sir Eugene Goossens made an international conducting career in the mid-20th century and was also a composer. He spent many years working in Australia as the director of the NSW Conservatorium of Music and chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony. As a child, she wanted to become an actress but was encouraged by her father to play the harp.
Taught by Miriam Timothy, she was already playing in public by the age of 16.
When she joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1921 she was the only female performer. In 1923 she became the first harpist to be broadcast on the radio, and followed this up in 1936 by becoming the first to be broadcast on television
She also played under guest conductors such as Arturo Toscanini, Bruno Walter and Arnold Schoenberg. She loved her metier, her instrument.
All this, really, was the reflection of her personality for which I have had from the first instant, not only the greatest admiration, but also an immense affection."
She was honoured with a Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1974, and later an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1980.
She was recommended for a Damehood, but this was allegedly vetoed by Margaret Thatcher, who said: "We can"t give a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire to an orchestral musician". She retired officially from the in 1980, the year of the orchestra"s Golden Jubilee. Her final performance was in 1991 during the Last Night of the Proms when she accompanied Dame Gwyneth Jones in her own arrangement of "The Last Rose of Summer".
There were celebratory concerts for her 100th birthday at London"s Wigmore and Royal Festival Halls.
She died in Reigate, Surrey, on 15 December 2004 aged 105.