On Saturday 17th May a new plaque was unveiled commemorating the Cathedral’s special connection to the celebrated composer Leonard Bernstein. The plaque, created by esteemed stone carver Robert Jolly, honours 60 years since Bernstein composed Chichester Psalms, which was commissioned by Walter Hussey, the former Dean of Chichester, for the Southern Cathedral’s Festival in 1965.
Below we chat to Robert about his career to date and creating the Bernstein plaque to honour such an important part of our history…
You have been a stonemason since 1972, creating stonework to mark many significant historical moments including designing and carving the inscription on the memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales in Hyde Park. What inspired you to work in this area?
My interest in stone carving was sparked as a young man and inspired by the 17th, 18th and 19th hand carved memorials in church yards and cathedrals, with their elaborate symbolic carvings and beautiful lettering. At 16 I decided that would be my ideal occupation and began a 6-month trial as a letter carver and gilder before securing a 5-year apprenticeship. It is a demanding skill and took many years to achieve the ability to produce work of quality, even to this day I am still learning new levels of skill.
As well as your work at Chichester Cathedral, you have created commissions for some very recognisable names. Tell us about some of your most interesting projects.
My lucky break came in 1980, when Douglas Garland (MBE) contacted me with details of a special commission - he required a quality carver to engrave a Welsh slate memorial for Portsmouth Navy. The memorial was to honour lost servicemen during the Falklands War. Mr Garland was a very skilled stonemason and carver himself. He oversaw the Chichester Cathedral restoration project, managing and organising the rebuilding of eroded stonework, including the replacement of some spires - very technical and high-pressure work. His guidance and influence helped me hone my skills, which enabled me to specialise in high quality commissions, including work for the Royal family.
During this time, I met Richard Meynell who was the acting architect to The Dean and Chapter and retained as the surveyor to the fabric of St Mary's Hospital. Richard was instrumental in my career, introducing me to our King (then Prince Charles) and played a large part in pushing the project for Leonard Bernstein's plaque forward along with a very determined committee.
Richard Meynell with Robert Jolly at the Leonard Bernstein plaque unveiling
You carved the Leonard Bernstein plaque which is now set into the wall of the Cathedral. Tell us about working on this project…
The plaque has truly been a coming together of people. Sought and funded by the Bernstein in Chichester organisation under the patronage of Dame Patricia Routledge, the plaque was designed with the expertise and guidance of Richard Meynell. It has been wonderful to be involved in this project which honours such an important part of Chichester history and has brought me a great deal of joy and pride.
The Bernstein plaque is set into the wall between the Cathedral and The Prebendal School and was unveiled in a ceremony on Saturday 17th May by Dame Patricia Routledge. Following the unveiling, Chichester Cathedral Choir performed Chichester Psalms alongside the premiere of a brand-new choral commission by acclaimed composer Joanna Marsh.