Music & Conversation: The Podcast Of English Composer Andrew Downes

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 3 tells of the declaration of World War II, his first gig with the now CBSO, working with Adrian Boult and Malcom Sargent, air raids and fear. This episode ends with Andrew Downes' Symphony No.2, 1st movement since it depicts the fear and melancholy Frank experienced during this terrifying period. There are also sections that sound like air raids and bombs with angular strings, wailing ostinatos and loud percussion; and there is a sense of hope in parts, which depicts the excitement of performing such great music alongside s

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 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 and horn lessons; experiences playing the horn in amateur and professional orchestras; and the start of World War II. This episode ends with Andrew Downes' Symphony No.1 2nd movement since it depicts the horrors of Nuclear War.

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 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 in their tiny house on a noisy street. This episode ends with Andrew Downes' Overture, Towards a New Age to depict the industrial Black Country since it was commissioned for the 150th Birthday of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Paula 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".

Paula Downes interviews Simon Chalk, internationally renowned conductor and violinist, and former student of Andrew Downes at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Paula 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

An 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  

Paula 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        

Paula 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. 

Paula 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.

Paula 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 Karen about the serendipitous sequence of events set in motion from that initial contact that led to her current research project.  UpTown Flutes recorded the work for a CD entitled "Uptown Flutes: 21st Century Gems," released in 2009.    

Joe 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.

Paula 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.

Soprano 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.

Paula 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'.

Paula 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. 

Paula 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.

Paula 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. 

Paula 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 

Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew Downes. Episode 1: IntroductionPaula Downes, presenter and daughter of Andrew Downes introduces you to Andrew Downes and three of her favourite works. More information at andrewdownes.com