Work in Progress
A Pedagogue on the Platform: Max Cooke’s Life in Music
Max Cooke has been performing and teaching piano in Melbourne and internationally for over 50 years. His memoirs allow the reader insight into the high life in Edwardian Melbourne through the eyes of his proud and ambitious father and loving mother; into his grandfather’s unorthodox views on education, and the story of the Cooke family’s business. We glimpse Max’s life of private school and privilege; meet the family’s friend and neighbour Robert Menzies; and learn first hand about the teaching of music in Melbourne in the 1930s. After four years in the Air Force (1942-1945) as a radio operator when Max was unable to play the piano, he completed his University studies before studying in Paris with the famous French pianist, Alfred Cortot. Returning to Melbourne in 1952 to teach at the Conservatorium of Music, Max’s own performing and teaching career escalated. With his appointment to Dean of the Faculty of Music in the 1970s, he instigated new and innovative teaching practices and as creator of the Team of Pianists in the 1980s he has continued to perform in public, whilst furthering his aim to teach the piano effectively.
From early in his career Max asked himself why he continued with the profession when other opportunities were available to him; how could he become an effective teacher; and why he continued to devote his life to teaching. At the age of 86, reflecting on his challenges and achievements, Max explores in depth the questions that were unanswerable to him half a century ago. This book is the joint effort of Max Cooke and Fay Woodhouse. It is a combination of Max’s forensic examination of his career and Fay’s historical research, bringing the two together through fine editing. Together they are producing an unusual glimpse into the world of music as it has changed in Victoria over the past 50 years.
