Shows
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesRemembering Andrew DownesAndrew 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/
2023-06-1622 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 17Paula 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...
2022-09-2426 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 16Paula 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...
2022-09-1118 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 15Paula 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...
2022-05-3118 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 14Paula 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...
2022-01-3121 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 13Paula 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...
2021-12-0622 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 34: Organist Robin WalkerPaula 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.
2021-11-281h 06Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 12Paula 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...
2021-10-0423 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 32: Bass Guitarist Fred Thelonius BakerPaula 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 B...
2021-09-101h 16
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 11Paula 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...
2021-07-2610 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 10Paula 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...
2021-06-1535 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 29: Opera Far from the Madding CrowdPaula 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
2021-06-081h 55
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 9Paula 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...
2021-04-3016 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 8Paula 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...
2021-03-2519 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 26: Composer and Pianist Martin RileyPaula 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 (co...
2021-03-012h 01
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 25: Composer and Pianist Tony BridgewaterPaula 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...
2021-01-291h 13
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 7Paula 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 e...
2021-01-1624 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 6Paula 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...
2020-12-1419 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 5Paula 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...
2020-11-2624 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes, Chapter 4Paula 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...
2020-09-1733 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 3Paula 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 3 tells of the declaration of World War II, his first gig with the now CBSO, working with Adrian Boult and Malcom Sargent, air...
2020-09-0619 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 2Paula 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 2 tells of his first piano concerto performance; his first Radio broadcast on the BBC; his brother's kind gift of a French horn; piano...
2020-08-0223 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesAround the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 1Paula 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 1 tells of his life in industrial Walsall and his lucky fortune to have parents who encouraged him and his 9 siblings to learn instruments...
2020-07-1827 min
Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 17: Oboist George CairdPaula Downes interviews George Caird, internationally renowned oboist and former Head of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, at the same time as when Andrew Downes was Head of the School of Composition and Creative Studies there. George talks about his time at the Conservatoire, his career as an oboist, and his other Headships and we present his and pianist Malcom Wilson's recording of Andrew Downes' Oboe Sonata of 1995, "Idyll: In the Gardens of Burdwan".
2020-04-2754 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 16: Conductor and Violinist Simon ChalkPaula Downes interviews Simon Chalk, internationally renowned conductor and violinist, and former student of Andrew Downes at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
2020-03-111h 19Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 15: The Tantrum That Saved The WorldPaula Downes narrates The Tantrum That Saved The World, a book about Climate Change for Children by Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann accompanied by Andrew Downes' Mass for Solo Violin performed by Rupert Marshall-Luck. There is a video with illustrations from the book on youtube. https://www.andrewdownes.com/Instrumental-Solo.html#VIOLIN
Purchase the book here: https://michaelmann.net/content/tantrum-saved-world-carbon-neutral-kids-book
2019-12-0350 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 14: Choral Evensong for SSAA, Festival of St CeciliaAn Evensong to celebrate the Festival of the Patron Saint of Music: St Cecilia.
Paula Downes presents her arrangements of Andrew Downes' Runnymede Millennium Choral Evensong for SSAA (originally SATB).
https://www.andrewdownes.com/Choral.html#RUNNYMEDE2
2019-11-2237 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 13: ChristmasPaula Downes presents Andrew Downes' wonderful Christmas music which takes us on a journey through time and around the world.
Works covered:
Christmas Cantata - SATB and Orchestra
Motet and Mass: O Magnum Mysterium - SSSAAA (originally SATTBB)
Ballads for Christmas - high voices and harp
Coventry Carol - arrangement for Treble Solo, SATBB
Veni Emmanuel - arrangement for SATB Brass Sextet and Organ
andrewdownes.com
Educational resources at musiceducationwhiz.com
2019-11-131h 10Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 12: Violinist/Violist Rupert Marshall-LuckPaula Downes interviews violinist and violist Rupert Marshall-Luck about his recent CD release with EM Records: The God Marduk: Works for Violin, Viola and Piano by Andrew Downes, performed by Rupert Marshall-Luck on the Violin and Viola, and Duncan Honeybourne on the Piano. More information on the CD can be found here.
2019-09-0952 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 11: Conductor Anthony BradburyPaula Downes interviews conductor Anthony Bradbury about their recent recording of Andrew Downes' Celtic Rhapsody for Soprano and Symphony Orchestra with Paula Downes Soprano and Anthony Bradbury conducting the Central England Camerata with Anna Downes leading. They also talk about the last time they performed the work together 16 years ago and the other experiences Anthony has had of performing the works of Andrew Downes.
2019-07-011h 05Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 10: Flutist Karen DemseyPaula Downes interviews Dr. Karen Demsey, Professor of Flute and Musicology and Coordinator of Woodwinds at William Paterson University of New Jersey in America. Karen Demsey performed Andrew Downes' Sonata for 8 Solo Flutes with the virtuoso ensemble, UpTown Flutes in New Jersey in 2006. By this time, the work had become a favourite of the ensemble, included on nearly every concert over a period of several years. It was abundantly clear to UpTown Flutes that the work must be included on their next album, so Karen contacted Andrew Downes to ask permission to record it. During this interview you will hear from Kare...
2019-06-131h 02Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 9: Birmingham Recorded Music ClubJoe Seager interviews Anna Downes, Andrew's older daughter, about the life and works of Andrew Downes, as well as about his work as an educator, and the health issues he has overcome at the Birmingham Recorded Music Club at the Birmingham and Midland Institue, May 17th, 2019.
2019-05-2354 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 8: Conductor and Hornist Ondrej VrabecPaula Downes interviews Ondrej Vrabec, outstanding Principal Horn Player of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra about the music of Andrew Downes and his experiences of performing, conducting and recording it.
2019-05-0947 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 7: Being a Muso MumSoprano and filmmaker Paula Downes talks about her life as a muso mum performing the music of Andrew Downes, the crazy challenges it has presented and the amazing experiences they have had as a family.
2019-04-2848 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 6: The Importance of SingingPaula Downes interviews members of The Meridian Singers, a Community Choir she directs in Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire to find out why they like singing in the choir and how they enjoy singing the music of Andrew Downes. We hear them performing his arrangement of 'Veni Emmanuel' with organ and brass, his settings of 'What shall I do to show how much I love her?' and 'I was glad' as well as his 'Gloria' from 'The Holy Communion'.
2019-04-1937 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 5: Pianist Duncan HoneybournePaula Downes interviews renowned pianist and great family friend, Duncan Honeybourne, who has been a wonderful ambassador of the music of Andrew Downes. This episode features Duncan's CD recording of all Downes 'piano works, Daybreak in the Fields released by EM records in 2017.
2019-04-1254 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 4: Native American influences on the music of Andrew DownesPaula Downes explores and presents the Native American influences on Andrew Downes' music with a main focus on his Symphony No.4 for Concert Wind Band which was composed following a trip to New Mexico in 1995, performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. This episode is important from the point of view of our current Climate Emergency: we could learn a lot from Native American Culture.
2019-04-0335 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 3: The Power of EvensongPaula Downes talks about the Power of Evensong to heal and calm through rituals, collective worship and dark candlelit space; the similarities between Evensongs and Yoga/Pilates classes; and the importance of music education. Throughout the podcast she plays movements from Andrew Downes' Runnymede Choral Evensong Service performed by Royal Holloway Chapel Choir under Professor Lionel Pike.
2019-03-2640 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 2: Conversation with Anna DownesPaula Downes interviews her sister Anna Downes, Andrew Downes' older daughter, about her life and career performing the works of Andrew Downes. They talk about the decline of music education, raising money for the homeless and other charities and the importance of music for well-being. andrewdownes.com
2019-03-1947 minMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew DownesEpisode 1: IntroductionMusic & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew Downes. Episode 1: Introduction
Paula Downes, presenter and daughter of Andrew Downes introduces you to Andrew Downes and three of her favourite works. More information at andrewdownes.com
2019-03-0919 min