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Sir Colin Davis
SIR COLIN DAVIS, conductor, born in 1927 in Weybridge, Surrey, England
Even though he was barred from taking conducting lessons at England’s Royal College of Music because he could not play the piano, Sir Colin Davis’s musical career was set on its course when he played clarinet in Berlioz’ L’enfance du Christ at Christ’s Hospital Boys School. He later decided to form the Kalmar Orchestra with fellow students, and often conducted the ensemble. He also played in the band of the Household Cavalry while serving in the army. It was when he substituted for two renowned conductors, Otto Klemperer and Sir Thomas Beecham, that he garnered attention and acclaim. Both substitutions were in Mozart operas: Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute. Thereafter, his conducting credits read like a Who’s Who of the world’s great musical organizations from whom he consistently earned praise. Today Sir Colin Davis is president of the London Symphony Orchestra (in 2009 he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first concert with that ensemble) and honorary conductor of the Dresden Staatskapelle. Music has been an irreplaceable part of his life: “If you took music away from me I would be lost, because it is a lifeline. I understand life from music.” And perhaps that explains why he wants to share this feeling with audiences through live performances. In recordings “there is tension, but it very seldom approaches the exhilaration of performing before a public…where nobody can stop to correct anything, and you can’t go and listen to what you’ve just done and come back and try to do better; it’s now or never.” In 2008 on the occasion of his 80th birthday, Sir Colin conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in Scottish composer James MacMillan’s St. John Passion, about which the composer said: “My St. John Passion is dedicated to Sir Colin Davis in his 80th birthday year, as a token of my admiration and appreciation for one of this country’s greatest musicians, and for the wonderful music-making he has given us throughout his life.”
“‘When you are as emotional as I, it is simply necessary to use your head.’ That comment applied to this performance. Sir Colin achieved an uncanny balance between wild passion and musicianly control.” The New York Times
“Sir Colin clearly had the Philharmonic players with him in energy and commitment.” The New York Times
“His sanity, humanity, passion and, above all, unswerving commitment to truth are qualities to which every young musician should aspire.” Times Online
Interviews
| Thursday, December 2, 2010 9:45AM |
Open Rehearsal: Beethoven and Mahler |  |
| Thursday, December 2, 2010 7:30PM |
Beethoven and Mahler | |
| Saturday, December 4, 2010 8:00PM |
Beethoven and Mahler | |
| Tuesday, December 7, 2010 7:30PM |
Beethoven and Mahler | |
| Thursday, December 9, 2010 9:45AM |
Open Rehearsal: Elgar and Mozart | |
| Thursday, December 9, 2010 7:30PM |
Elgar and Mozart | |
| Friday, December 10, 2010 8:00PM |
Elgar and Mozart | |
| Saturday, December 11, 2010 8:00PM |
Elgar and Mozart | |
Photo of Sir Colin Davis: Matthias Creutziger
