Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013)

[eighthobstruction]

Marvellous man....RIP

[secondfiddle]

Marvellous man....RIP

Very sad news indeed. I first saw him in 1959 when he brought the LSO to my school, and he came again in 1961 – typically with Mozart and Stravinsky. I will always remember him doing The Trojans at the Barbican. A fine Elgarian, he revived the First Symphony in the 60s and gave many fine performances of The Dream of Gerontius, especially one in Boston. His tastes and enthusiasms were so wide ranging. How fortunate that the LSO label in particular preserves so many of his interpretations, and fortunate too that he was able to add the Berlioz Grande Messe des morts to that impressive cycle. To me he was a truly great conductor because he never got in the way of the composer. He was also, I think, one of the few conductors that are a pleasure to watch. He will be greatly missed.

[Stanley Stewart]

I've just transferred an off-air video to DVD of a 1997 Proms on BBC 2 (12 Sept) when, ironically, Sir Colin had replaced George Solti, who died a few days earlier, before he was due to conduct a performance of the Verdi Requiem. LSO and chorus; with soloists Michele Crider, Olga Borodina, Frank Lopardo and Rene Pape(bass) - a new voice to me at the time but what what a voice and platform presence! Nicholas Kenyon spoke before the performance and told us that he had spoken to Sir George a few days before his death and, in turn, he had generously asked for the occasion to be dedicated to the Princess of Wales after her recent funeral. Memories of that time came rushing in! The performance is now particularly poignant.

[Ferretfancy]

Three brief memories of a marvellous musician. The first was seeing him conduct the opening scene of Don Giovanni at the Camden Theatre back in 1958, for an experimental stereo trial with a chess board marked up stage.He enjoyed himself choreographing the singers in the death of the Commendatore, complete with a sword fight.
The second was a spirited performance of Berlioz's Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale st the Regents Park Open Air Theatre on a summer evening in the 60s

The last was a lovely performance of Figaro at the ROH with Kiri te Kanawa singing the Countess for the first time. We were right behind the podium in the second row, and he was amused in a quizzical way by the improvisations of the continuo player during the performance.

If I was forced to choose one performance by him on record, it would be Beethoven's 7th with the RPO, which is very special.

[BBMmk2]

I've just transferred an off-air video to DVD of a 1997 Proms on BBC 2 (12 Sept) when, ironically, Sir Colin had replaced George Solti, who died a few days earlier, before he was due to conduct a performance of the Verdi Requiem. LSO and chorus; with soloists Michele Crider, Olga Borodina, Frank Lopardo and Rene Pape(bass) - a new voice to me at the time but what what a voice and platform presence! Nicholas Kenyon spoke before the performance and told us that he had spoken to Sir George a few days before his death and, in turn, he had generously asked for the occasion to be dedicated to the Princess of Wales after her recent funeral. Memories of that time came rushing in! The performance is now particularly poignant.

Stanley Stewart, thank you very much indeed for that memory. Yes, with the Verrdi Req, the Libera me was performed at her funeral service.

[Stanley Stewart]

My pleasure and, indeed, privilege, bbm. I've been tinkering with the hard disk since I wrote as I had to suspend the recording about 3 mins into the Prom intro due to a 'no signal' alert. However, I resumed recording as the soloists came on to the platform and it continued without further interruption. The 25 secs silence at the end of the Libera me also spoke volumes for the viewer as there was a freeze frame on Colin Davis which literally brought tears to my eyes.

As a non-sentimental addendum, I also remember the droll humour of Sir Colin. Many forum members may recall the installation of the plastic domes above the platform of the RAH, circa 1969/70. I remember Colin Davis turning to us at the end of the performance, his eyes moved upwards before he added, "Won't make much difference to Bruckner".

[Petrushka]

I've just transferred an off-air video to DVD of a 1997 Proms on BBC 2 (12 Sept) when, ironically, Sir Colin had replaced George Solti, who died a few days earlier, before he was due to conduct a performance of the Verdi Requiem. LSO and chorus; with soloists Michele Crider, Olga Borodina, Frank Lopardo and Rene Pape(bass) - a new voice to me at the time but what what a voice and platform presence! Nicholas Kenyon spoke before the performance and told us that he had spoken to Sir George a few days before his death and, in turn, he had generously asked for the occasion to be dedicated to the Princess of Wales after her recent funeral. Memories of that time came rushing in! The performance is now particularly poignant.

Stanley, I was present at that unforgettable performance. If there is one Colin Davis performance I'd choose to remember it would be that one. Somehow, I fancifully think that he may well have thought so himself.

[Mr Pee]

I think that this says a lot about the man:-

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/04/the-last-time-sir-colin-davis-picked-up-a-baton.html

[amateur51]

I completely agree about that Proms performance of Verdi's Requiem - it was quite clear from the start that we were witnessing something very special and so it transpired.

Bravo Sir Colin!

[Stanley Stewart]

Felt so inspired by the Verdi Requiem, I also tracked an off-air video of George Solti's final Prom performance of Beethoven's Choral Symphony, PROMS '96, (13 Sept) with the CSO, soloists Deborah Voight, Anne Sofie von Otter, Johan Botha, Rene Pape, BBC Singers and London Voices which should provide an eloquent tribute to the two exceptional maestros on one DVD. Heart warming, too, to see several familar prommer faces of that era.

[AjAjAjH]

As a non-sentimental addendum, I also remember the droll humour of Sir Colin. Many forum members may recall the installation of the plastic domes above the platform of the RAH, circa 1969/70. I remember Colin Davis turning to us at the end of the performance, his eyes moved upwards before he added, "Won't make much difference to Bruckner".

I was at that concert. Didn't Yehudi Menuin play the 2 Beethoven Romances in the first half?

I saw him conduct the Berlioz Requiem at the proms in the late 60s or early 70s.

Whilst living up north, I've seen him in Manchester with the National Youth Orchestra (Sibelius3 and Elgar2) and the Manchester Camerata (Mozart 'Haffner' Symphony and Requiem.)

Among my favourite recording - Sibelius 'Kullervo'; Smetana 'Ma Vlast'; Dvorak 6-9.

RIP.

[amateur51]

Felt so inspired by the Verdi Requiem, I also tracked an off-air video of George Solti's final Prom performance of Beethoven's Choral Symphony, PROMS '96, (13 Sept) with the CSO, soloists Deborah Voight, Anne Sofie von Otter, Johan Botha, Rene Pape, BBC Singers and London Voices which should provide an eloquent tribute to the two exceptional maestros on one DVD. Heart warming, too, to see several familar prommer faces of that era.

Riches indeed, Stanley Stewart

[Petrushka]

Just started a thread on Sir Colin's many recordings if any may care to contribute.

[ARBurton]

I had the fortune to see him doing Les Troyens a few times and am grateful for that. I love his recordings of Sibelius and Beethoven too.

[BBMmk2]

Radio 3 are broadcasting Brittten's Turn of the Screw live, played by the LSO tonight. Included in the broadcast be a triute to the conductor and a minutes silence.