Music & Conversation: The Podcast Of English Composer Andrew Downes

Andrew Downes died on January 2nd 2023. This episode tells the story of his death from the point of view of his daughter, Paula Downes. https://www.andrewdownes.com/

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 17 covers the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, with Andrew Downes watching in his highchair; Frank's first TV broadcasts; a mishap with his horn pull-through; Sir John Reith and Sir John Manduel. Paula has chosen to end this episode with the Prelude from Andrew Downes' Five Dramatic Pieces for Eight Wager Tubas, from the CD, "Andrew Downes: Works for Horns and Wagner Tubas", dedicated to te memory of Frank Downes. This work was described as "Gorgeous writing" by Petroc Trelawny on BBC Radio 3 in 2014: https://www.andrewdown

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 16 covers the late Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953, at which Frank's brother Herbert was leading the violas in the orchestra in Westminster Abbey that day. The image of the Queen is a photograph of a Candy Box at about the time of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 by Ross Dunn. The episode also covers the life of conductor and pianist Leo Wurmser, and violinist Ernest Element. Paula has chosen to end this episode with the second movement of Andrew Downes' Sonata for Violin and Piano, performed by Rupert Marshall-Luck an

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 15 leads to Frank's appointment to Hornist of the BBC Midland Light Orchestra in 1953, with whom he recorded The Archers theme tune, to be broadcast on Radio 4 multiple times a week until 1992, when it was re-recorded. It also covers Frank's move into teaching at the Birmingham School of Music. Paula has chosen to end this episode with the third movement of Andrew Downes' Centenary Firedances, since the loud noises in this piece (originally composed to be performed with fireworks) evoke the loud noises Frank and his CBSO col

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 14 is about Frank's appointment to Principal Hornist of the CBSO in 1949. Paula has chosen to end this episode with the second movement of Andrew Downes' Concerto for Piano and Symphony Orchestra, which was premiered at Birmingham Town Hall, which Frank mentions during this chapter.  This work was written for pianist Duncan Honeybourne with the Central England Ensemble, conductor Anthony Bradbury, Leader Anna Downes and Lead Violist Cynthia Downes. This recording is of the premiere on March 1st 2009. Find out more here: http

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 13 is about Frank's time in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Malcom Sargent, performing at the first Edinburgh Festival in 1947, the Elgar Festival in Malvern, recordings with the Huddersfield Choral Society, and Sargent's Knightood. Paula has chosen to end this episode with the first movement of Andrew Downes' Sonata for Violin, Horn and Piano.  This work was commissioned by the Brahms Trio Prague (Ondrej Vrabec, solo and principal horn, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra; Monika Vrabcova, violin; and Daniel Wiesn

Paula Downes chats to Robin Walker about his 2021 Regent Records release of The Forest at Dawn, organ works by Andrew Downes. Eastwood Records recorded all the organ works of Andrew Downes performed by Robin Walker in Ely Cathedral in October 2020.

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 12 is about Frank's time in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Malcom Sargent and Adrian Boult, tours around the UK, the Isle of Man and Ireland. Since Frank ends this chapter with a tale of the horn section attempting to leave a concert as soon as it ended, not realising that Malcom Sargent was planning to conduct the Prelude to Act 3 of Wagner's Lohengrin as an encore, and therefore not being ready to play some prominent horn passages, Paula has chosen to end this episode with the last movement of Andrew Down

Paula interviews world-renowned jazz guitarist and bassist, Fred Thelonius Baker.  Fred was a student at Birmingham School of Music (now Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) from 1979, and studied composition with Andrew Downes. Andrew went on to invite Fred to teach at Birmingham Conservatoire in 1989, which led to Fred being a major part of Andrew's new School of Composition and Creative Studies from the early 90s. Fred has been a permanent teacher/lecturer in accoustic and bass guitar there ever since. In the mid 90s, Andrew composed his Concerto for Guitar, Electric Bass Guitar and Strings for Fred playing Electric Bass with Simon Dinnigan playing Acoustic Guitar. They recorded it for CD in 1999 with string players from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Fred and Simon also arranged Downes' Piano Sonatina, Movement 2 for Electric Bass and Acoustic Guitar and also recorded this for the CD. All of these works are played throughout the episode. More information on the works and the CD can be found here:

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 11 is about Frank's return to professional horn playing following the end of the war and the birth of his first child, Judith. He played for Sadlers Wells Ballet for a short time before gaining a position with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Malcom Sargent. This epdisode ends with Folkdance from Andrew Downes' Suite for Brass Quintet No.1, because the performances of this work all over the UK, reflect the Sadlers Well tour Frank did, and the music is ideal for dancing to. The work is performed by Sennet Bras

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 10 describes Frank's time in Paris and Germany at the end of the war and also his gigging on his return to London. He is finally demobbed at the end of the chapter. The episode ends with the first movement of Andrew Downes' Symphony No. 1, for organ, brass, percussion and strings, recorded by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Ondrej Vrabec in 2016 for the Artesmon Label. This work depicts the horrors of nuclear war, so reflects my Grandad's uncomfortable retelling of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagesaki in 1945.  Find

Paula Downes interviews the composer, librettist, cast and crew involved in the premiere of the opera Far from the Madding Crowd by Andrew Downes, based on Thomas Hardy's novel. https://www.andrewdownes.com/Opera.html#FFTMC

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 9 continues the tales of Frank's RAF tour of forward airfields in Belgium and Holland in 1944/5, including New Year's Day attacks, a near escape from a V1, a blissful visit to the Montgomerry club, and lessons with Jean Faulx, Principal Horn player of the Orchèstra Nationale of Belgium. The episode ends with the second movement of Andrew Downes' Centenary Firedances for Symphony Orchestra, performed by the Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra under Jonathan Del Mar in 1989. This work conjures up the nostalgia, sadness

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 8 tells of his RAF tour to Brussels in 1944/5, including the uncomfortable journeys, the German propaganda, performances they gave and the dangers they faced. The episode ends with Andrew Downes' "Blazon" from his Suite for Six Horns, performed by the hornists of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra on their CD entitled "Andrew Downes: Music for Horns and Wagner Tubas", recorded for the Artesmon Label in 2008.  This CD is in memory of Frank Downes.

Paula Downes interviews Martin Riley: Composer, Performer, Music Director, Mentor, and student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire from 1988 when Andrew Downes was setting up his school of Composition and Creative Studies there. Martin has gone on to teach at the Conservatoire himself as well as having an extremely successful performing and composing career, ranging from touring with Classical Brit Award winners Blake performing live on BBC Radio 2 on Terry Wogan’s show and BBC London Radio for Gaby Roslin; to composing for the Moscow Symphony and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras; from arranging and composing music for the Southern Sinfonia (composer-in-residence) to playing keyboards with Roger Daltrey and Alice Cooper. https://www.andrewdownes.com https://martinriley.info

Paula Downes interviews Tony Bridgewater: composer, pianist, conductor, teacher and family friend. He met Andrew Downes at the Birmingham School of Music (now Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) in the late 70s for advice on studying at Cambridge and composition. He met Anna Downes at a concert, after which he employed her as Head of Instrumental Studies at Old Swinford Hospital School, where he was Director of Music. They have since given many recitals together, performing works by both Andrew and Tony, and have been joined by soprano Paula Downes, for whom Tony has written 2 song cycles which are featured on this podcast: The Other Side of the Mirror and Snowflakes. On one occasion they were also joined by violist Cynthia Downes for the premieres of 2 song cycles by Andrew Downes. Tony talks about how his compositions have since been influenced by the music of Andrew Downes. Works by Andrew Downes featured on this podcast include Celtic Rhapsody for Soprano and Symphony Orchestra with piano reduction by Paula

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 7 tells of RAF Central Band Marches around  cities including Birmingham and Cardiff; of his wedding to Iris; and recounts Dennis Matthews' diary of events of his experiences of the RAF Central Band tour of America. At the end of the episode, the first movement of Andrew Downes' Sonata for 8 Horns is played since ithe premiere took place at the University of Mexico, near the route of the 40-hour train journey Dennis Matthews describes from Fort Worth, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona. The recording is of the Horns of the Czech Philh

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 6 tells of funny mishaps during RAF parades; touring south Wales and meeting his brother in Cardiff where he was performing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic as the Lead Violist; and most importantly of his engagement to his wife Iris, and the lovely time they spent in Colchester, where she was working for the Fire Service. At the end of the episode, the first movement of Andrew Downes' 3rd Symphony is played since it is a work Iris loved. The recording comes from the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra's recording of all of An

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 5 tells of Frank's fascinating adventures with the RAF Central Band, as well as memories of the amazing horn playing of Dennis Brain. At the end of this episode, Andrew Downes' Concerto for Four Horns and Symphony Orchestra, 1st movement is played since many of the works mentioned in this chapter are horn concertos, and Frank was present at the premiere. The recording comes from the radio broadcast by the horns of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, for whom the work was written, with the Czech Radio Orchestra in 2003. The ful

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 4 tells of Frank meeting his future wife, Iris; his successful audition for the RAF Central Band and adventures as a raw recruit including the forging of many longterm friendships with musicians such as Dennis Brain and Denis Matthews; his time studying with Frank Probyn at the Royal College of Music. At the end of this episode, Andrew Downes' Sonata for Four Horns, 1st movement is played to highlight the fact that Andrew followed in his father's footsteps by learning the French horn and by studying singing and composition a