An English composer died today
RIPAndrew Downes, former Head of School of Composition and Creative Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, died this morning of various longterm health conditions. He was 72 and widely loved for his practical attitude to all forms of music making.
Among a large catalogue of works, he wrote an opera on the Thomas Hardy novel, Far From the Madding Crowd. The Czech Philharmonic reord four of his symphonies and premiered his concerto for 4 horns and orchestra.
Another composer Radio 3 ignored
Very sad to read. He was a wonderful colleague at Birmingham Conservatoire whose teaching was as generous as his compositional creativity.
He wrote beautiful, deep, lyrical works for flute choir/flute orchestra as well. I was fortunate enough to meet him several times and I have played several of his flute choir pieces; they are some of the best works in the genre! He was a sweet and funny man, and he will be missed.