Frances Shepherd

Thank you Ben for your wonderful friendship. I miss you.

£25.00

Roger Fine

£10.00

Bellini

Dear Ben, What an absolute joy, savouring your playing of Bach's Sonatas & Partitas from 1997-2019 in Brighton's St Michael's & All Angels during the Festival (same venue, player, pieces, audience ... but very heaven); those late spring golden nights will last long in my memory, as will the final note of Sunday's C minor solo - my first concert, May 1997 so clearly remembered, etched in time, as your bow left the Tononi string, and I swear the note rose, and rose and rose, into the rafters, spun around for eternal seconds then beyond to heaven, and I'm sure it's rising still. What a joy. I am so glad that we met and chatted (a chance encounter, too at Pleeth's RCM where your card enabled my late, but not too late, letter), and that I had the opportunity to convey my heartfelt appreciation for those 20+ years of perennial bliss, a marker in my world, too. Rest well, my friend, 'Benedict' by name & nature. My donation just about covers the Saturday & Sunday ticket for another recital ... Bless you for the joy you have brought others: Psalm 150, 1-5 ~ 1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

£25.00 (+ £6.25 Gift Aid)

Warren Z.

Thank You Dear Ben for your Amazing kindness, insight and generosity. I'm sorry that i didn't see you more in recent years! I think of you every time i hear some Solo Bach, look at Beautiful french bows, order Dim Sum and of course, the WINE!!! My last remaining bottle of the 2000 Hewitson that we bought together in Borough way back then will be opened and celebrated in your Honour very soon. God Bless You and Rest in Peace Ben. xoxo

£100.00 (+ £25.00 Gift Aid)

Sylvia and Jim

Thank you Ben for your music ad friendship. We will miss you.

Claire & Roderick

In memory of a dear, dear friend who will be much missed

Anonymous

John Black

Dear Ben, Always a great and valued friend. You will be much missed but never forgotten. An invitation to Ben and Katia's was immediately a 'red letter' day - one to savor! You enriched our lives. Thank you! Love John

George Fenton

Dear Ben Great memories of your wonderful playing and your sweet nature George x

£250.00 (+ £62.50 Gift Aid)

Keith Anderson

Tononi Quartet - Tzigane - Bach - with many fond memories and gratitude.

Richard and CNC Harvey

Ben was so very much like a true brother to me. Even at the HKAPA , when we walked together the young students would run to him and say "is that your brother professor Cruft?" One of the most interesting and knowledgeable people I've had the privilege to know.....albeit that he was noticeably changed when he lost dear Katia, his true other half and still very much missed by all who knew her. I fear that he was ever truly happy again, from that point on so we pray that somehow that they are reunited. His a life that celebrated so many things, should itself be celebrated and we remember him with love and say thank you "Acharn Ben" for all the happy memories XX

£250.00 (+ £62.50 Gift Aid)

Jane Salonen

RIP Ben. I am so happy to have met you and Katia all those years ago. Thank you for enriching my life in so many way sharing your love of fine wine and food, music, art, photography and especially cats! You will be missed by so many dear friends. With love, Jane.

£250.00

Carol & Desmond

Thank you Ben, you are the best dean and role model of us. We will miss you. Ping & Sisi

£51.00

roger

in honour of the fabulous Cruft heritage and family

£25.00 (+ £6.25 Gift Aid)

Sue, Sebastian and all the family

Darling Ben - we shall all miss you so very much!

£250.00 (+ £62.50 Gift Aid)

Jonathan and Lorena

Dear Ben. A wonderful colleague, intelligent, warm, empathetic and endlessly curious. A real Renaissance Man. We’ll miss you.

Richard Woolley

Ben. Simply the best of friends, the most sympathetic of beings - and a fine musician and erudite educator to boot. I shall sorely and deeply miss him. May he rest in peace alongside his beloved Katia.

£500.00

Bea and Ben Chappell

Ben was a truly kind and generous person and a great educator, he will be greatly missed by us both.

Peter and Jayne

Dear Ben, who was so warm hearted and kind.

Chris and Rita

Dear Ben , what a lovely man, who maintained his love of music , fine wine and food ! He will be sadly missed as a great character in our musical world ! Chris and Rita xx

Roger and Viviane Garland

In memory of Ben Cruft whose contribution to music was wide-ranging particularly with respect to the education of those coming along behind.

Howard Shelley

To dearest Ben, my brother in all but DNA. Best man at my wedding, beloved and loyal friend, wise, encouraging, talented, always available and kind. We shared so many happy times together, both as musicians and friends, and with our darling wives, Katia and Hilary. They both moved on before us, alas, but I pray that you will now be reunited and forever joyful. Until we meet again, I send my thanks and my love to a wonderful soul, whom I was so fortunate to have in my life. xxx

£1000.00 (+ £250.00 Gift Aid)

All at Isobel Griffiths Ltd

We have wonderful memories of Ben in the studio over many years and his amazing warmth and generosity of spirit. His presence made the studio a happier place to be, a lovely kind man who was always welcoming and encouraging to young players.

£100.00

Mala and Pierre

We only met Ben a few times. He was a vibrant and immensely interesting man. And much loved by his family.

£35.00 (+ £8.75 Gift Aid)

Rhodri and Barbara

Ben was a good friend, a fine cultured man and a marvellous musician. We were privileged to know him over nearly forty years.

£25.00 (+ £6.25 Gift Aid)