Gerald Larner

Gerald Larner (9 March 1936 – 18 December 2018) was a British music critic. He began his career writing for The Guardian, joining as assistant music critic in 1962 and as chief Northern music critic (1965-93). He wrote for The Times from the 1990s. He composed a libretto for a John McCabe opera and wrote a biography of Maurice Ravel.

The Ravel biography was very well received in France as well as Britain, and Gerald was appointed Officier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication on February 6, 2001.

His second marriage was to Lynne Walker.

He is survived by his first wife Celia Larner, two daughters, Alice Larner Dennis BEM, and Melissa Larner Rodley, two grandchildren Dr Matt Dennis, and Eleanor Dennis Hill, and two great-grandchildren.

Selected publications

 * Glasgow Style (with Celia Larner)
 * Maurice Ravel. Phaidon, London, 1996. ISBN 0714832707