TRIBUTES have been paid to a "dazzling musician" whose performances and teachings inspired countless others during an illustrious career.

Anthony Milledge was a renowned organist, composer and teacher, who latterly worked as musical director of the Furness Bach Choir, helping them to reach new heights under his leadership.

He was credited with teaching members to sing in several languages, as well as bringing his Baroque orchestra, the Holborne Players, to the Lake District from London.

He died at his home in High Carley, near Ulverston, last month from a heart attack at the age of 73, having had no known heart problems.

His widow, Deborah Milledge, said:

"Tony was my accompanist and my music-making has lost its right arm.

"He said to me the night before he died 'you must make music with people other than myself'. It was so strange, he had never said that before."

Dr Milledge spent his formative years as a young concert pianist in London, before turning his eye to several concertos from Beethoven to Grieg.

He studied for a doctorate at Durham University and was musical director at Derby Playhouse and Mountview Cinema School.

In 2003, he moved to the Lake District and fell in love with the way of life.

Alison Bolt, vice-chairman of the Furness Bach Choir, said:

"Tony brought to the choir a wealth of experience and musical virtuosity, which raised it to new levels and stretched its members' ability more than they had ever thought possible.

"Each year Furness Bach Choir, under Tony Milledge's baton, gave three top-class concerts, and his plans for future years were intended to continue this exciting and innovative programming.

"Now, sadly, this will no longer happen, but the choir is determined to continue where Tony left off."

While a scheduled performance of O Absalom in March will no longer take place, a concert in June or early July of Schubert's Mass in G and Faure's Requiem is planned with the help of a temporary conductor.

Ms Bolt added: "Tony was involved in very many aspects of the musical life of Furness and he will be sadly missed.

"It is hoped that a tribute concert may be held in the not-too-distant future where Tony's own compositions will be performed by the various music groups with which he was involved."

Dr Milledge is survived by two sons Alex and Simon from his first marriage, and wife Deborah and stepson Taneli.