Death of a noted UK composer, 59
RIPMessage received:
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Ivan Moody (1964-2024), integrated researcher and member of the Board of Directors of CESEM (Lisbon).
Born in the United Kingdom, he settled in Portugal several decades ago and developed an intense career as a composer and musicologist. He obtained his doctorate from the University of York, where he studied composition with Brian Dennis, Sir John Tavener and William Brooks. He was a former Professor at the University of Joensuu (Finland) and an Academician at the Institute of Sacred Arts (St Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, New York), President of the International Society for Orthodox Church Music and of the Music Committee of the International Orthodox Theological Association. As a musicologist, he published widely on the music of the Iberian Peninsula, Russia and the Balkans, on contemporary sacred music, and on music and theology, and was awarded the Santander-Totta Prize several times.
He was editor of the Journal of the International Society for Orthodox Church Music and co-editor of the Revista Portuguesa de Musicologia, which he helped to establish on the national and international musicological stage.
At this difficult time, CESEM sends its sincere condolences to his family and friends, with the conviction that his example of competence and total dedication will remain in everyone’s memory and will inspire the younger generations.
18 January 2024
The CESEM Board
Very sad news, I met him once in Cambridge.
A friend and colleague who will be much missed! A real gentleman! Sad news indeed!
A fine composer and critic, gone too soon.
Much too young in this day and age.
Sadly, the excess death rate has more than doubled in the last three years.
Very sad his early departure, i listened to a concert with his music just this autumn here in Lisbon and he was a very important and rich personality in the music scene here in Portugal.
Sentiments to his family.
Yes, indeed, a fine composer, a fine musicologist, and a fine critic. Also (I don’t think anyone else has mentioned this) an ordained and practicing Eastern Orthodox priest.
Anyone else who wants to go looking for music of Fr. Ivan Moody on YouTube should be warned: with a search simply for “ivan moody,” most of your results will be about Ivan Moody, lead singer of the heavy metal band Five-Finger Death Punch. I recommend searching for “ivan moody choir” or “ivan moody orthodox.”
A terrible loss for the music community here in Portugal as well as internationally. Additionally, he was extremely generous with his time and support, having helped me in numerous endeavors over the years. And such beautiful, unique music. RIP, Ivan, you will never be forgotten.