Following Eric Pinkett’s retirement in 1976 the LSSO baton was passed on to the newly appointed county music adviser, Peter Fletcher. Eric died in 1979 and in the following year a memorial concert was held in his honour at De Montfort Hall. Norman Del Mar, who had done so much to improve the playing standard of the orchestra since he first became involved with it in 1966, was the perfect choice of conductor for this occasion. The climax of the concert was a thrilling performance of Mahler’s first symphony, recorded for posterity by BBC Radio Leicester.

Press articles relating to Eric Pinkett’s memorial concert and more information about Norman Del Mar can be seen in the reviews section of this website.