Andrew Downes, former Head of School of Composition and Creative Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, died this morning of various longterm health conditions. He was 72 and widely loved for his practical attitude to all forms of music making.
Among a large catalogue of works, he wrote an opera on the Thomas Hardy novel, Far From the Madding Crowd. The Czech Philharmonic reord four of his symphonies and premiered his concerto for 4 horns and orchestra.
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