The music and education world mourns the loss of Betty Hudson, a pianist and teacher of remarkable spirit, who has died at the age of 98. Her life was a rich tapestry woven from a deep love of music, adventurous travels, and an unexpected role as a translator for the Hungarian national football team during the 1966 World Cup.
A Musical Life Forged in Sheffield and London
Born in Sheffield, Betty was the youngest daughter of a dressmaker, Rose, and a table knife cutler, William Hudson. Her musical journey began in childhood with piano lessons. After attending Abbeydale Girls’ Grammar School, she pursued a music degree at Sheffield University between 1945 and 1948.
Her talent then took her to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London in the late 1940s. There, she received tuition from a pupil of the famed Polish pianist Theodor Leschetizky, a lineage of which she was immensely proud.
Love and Revolution: The Hungarian Chapter
In the 1950s, Betty’s life took a dramatic turn when she fell in love with a Hungarian violinist. Following him to Budapest, she immersed herself in the country's vibrant musical culture. She studied with the renowned composer and educator Zoltán Kodály and formed a friendship with composer György Kurtág, from whom she also took piano lessons.
She embraced life in the Hungarian capital, taking on teaching work. However, this chapter was abruptly closed in 1956 when the Hungarian Uprising forced her to return to the United Kingdom.
Teaching, Translation, and a World Cup Cameo
Back in England, Betty built a distinguished career as a music teacher and head of department. Her fluency in Hungarian, honed during her years abroad, opened unique opportunities. Alongside her teaching, she took on translation work.
This skill led to one of her most colourful anecdotes: serving as a translator for the Hungarian football team during the 1966 FIFA World Cup, hosted in England. In the mid-1960s, she became head of music at Brighouse Girls’ Grammar School, later moving to become deputy head of the music department at Huddersfield Technical College in the 1970s.
Her teaching legacy is profound. She guided numerous students to successful careers, most notably the leading bass-baritone Matthew Brook, who fondly remembered his A-level music teacher as "a lovely lady."
A Retirement Filled with Music and Joy
Betty retired in 1992 but her passion for life never dimmed. She travelled extensively, often to European music festivals, with the Verbier festival in Switzerland being a particular favourite. She continued giving piano lessons, learned the cello, and played in a string quartet well into her eighties.
Known as an excellent cook and a lover of fine wines, Betty Hudson lived her later years with the same zest that defined her earlier adventures. She is survived by two nephews and a great-niece.
