Last night I discovered that the composer David Ellis had died on the 20th. April aged 90.
David Ellis studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music where his contemporaries included Peter Maxwell Davies, Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Elgar Howarth and John Ogdon.
For a few years he taught music at Eccles Grammar School near Manchester, where I was a pupil. Later he joined the BBC and was a music producer, based in Manchester (I think), for many years.
As music teacher he introduced us to music such as Stravinsky's Rite, Walton, Hindemith (Symph Metamorphosis), and Stan Kenton "City of Glass". He also arranged various musical events - one being a piano recital given in the school hall, on the probably rather ropey school grand piano by no less than John Ogdon - who, of course, he knew from his RMCM days.
I also remember going to the Halle one evening to hear David's Violin Concerto being rehearsed and then performed by Martin Milner, the leader. I can't remember the conductor.
David Ellis was a major influence on me - although I must have been a real pain in the backside to teach.
There is an obituary on the British Music Society website.
Thank you David.
RIP
David Ellis studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music where his contemporaries included Peter Maxwell Davies, Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Elgar Howarth and John Ogdon.
For a few years he taught music at Eccles Grammar School near Manchester, where I was a pupil. Later he joined the BBC and was a music producer, based in Manchester (I think), for many years.
As music teacher he introduced us to music such as Stravinsky's Rite, Walton, Hindemith (Symph Metamorphosis), and Stan Kenton "City of Glass". He also arranged various musical events - one being a piano recital given in the school hall, on the probably rather ropey school grand piano by no less than John Ogdon - who, of course, he knew from his RMCM days.
I also remember going to the Halle one evening to hear David's Violin Concerto being rehearsed and then performed by Martin Milner, the leader. I can't remember the conductor.
David Ellis was a major influence on me - although I must have been a real pain in the backside to teach.
There is an obituary on the British Music Society website.
Thank you David.
RIP
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