Andrew Downes Memorial Concert
The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Road, B4 7XR
£15 (£12)
Wheelchair users are entitled to concessionary priced tickets with a complimentary companion seat.
Guide dogs are welcome at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire venues. If you wish to bring a guide dog or wheelchair, please let the Events Office know by calling 0121 331 5909.
Lynwood Music presents:
Andrew Downes Memorial Concert
Central England Ensemble
Music Director: Anthony Bradbury
Leader: Anna Downes
All music composed by Andrew Downes
Overture for a Modern City, Op.8a (world première)
Celtic Rhapsody, Op.81 - soloist Paula Downes
Concerto for Piano and Symphony Orchestra, Op.98 - soloist Duncan Honeybourne
Centenary Firedances, Op.43
Andrew Downes, who founded the school of Composition and Creative Studies at The Birmingham School of Music (now Royal Birmingham Conservatoire), passed away on 2 January 2023, aged 72.
Andrew's contribution to RBC and his influence on the students he taught is immeasurable. An internationally renowned composer, Downes's music is original and exciting, incorporating beauty of melody with innovative rhythms, bearing the influence of music from around the world which he was so fascinated by.
This concert showcases some of Downes's finest works and even includes a world première: Downes's younger daughter Paula, discovered an unknown piece of her Father's at the end of a cassette recording of another work. Long forgotten by Downes, this was written in the mid 1970s to celebrate the city of Birmingham. We are delighted that he lived long enough for it to be unearthed, and we know he is with us in spirit this evening as we give the première of In a Modern City.
Running time approx. two hours and thirty minutes, including interval.