Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013): A Life In Pictures
We pay tribute to the towering influence of British conductor Sir Colin Davis who passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2013.
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1. Sir Colin Davis - born in 1927
Davis was born in Weybridge, Surrey, the youngest of three sons among seven siblings, to Reginald George and Lillian Davis. In this early photograph, he's accompanied by British oboist Léon Goossens.
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2. Sir Colin Davis - the early years
A former orchestral clarinettist, studying at the Royal College of Music in London, Davis worked his way steadily to prominence as a conductor of much versatility and dynamism, building up a world reputation in the music of Mozart and Berlioz.
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3. Sir Colin Davis - an 'impeccable Mozartian'
Sir Colin came to prominence in London in the 1960s conducting Mozart, and remained an impeccable Mozartian throughout his long and distinguished career. Photo Credit: LSO Archive
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4. Sir Colin Davis and Sir Michael Tippett
Sir Colin also blazed a trail with modern composers and was a particularly distinguished advocate of English composer Sir Michael Tippett. Photo Credit: LSO Archive
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5. Sir Colin Davis - finding fame
Davis first found wide acclaim when he stood in for an ill Otto Klemperer in a performance of Don Giovanni, at the Royal Festival Hall in 1959.
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6. Sir Colin Davis - a glittering career
Davis was for many years The Royal Opera’s music director, and was a former holder of major posts at the BBC Symphony, Boston Symphony and Bavarian Radio Symphony orchestras.
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7. Sir Colin Davis as teacher
Sir Colin was also an inspirational teacher, holding a post at the Landesgymnasium für Musik "Carl Maria von Weber" in Dresden, and was the International Chair of Orchestral Studies at the Royal Academy of Music, London.
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8. Sir Colin Davis and Hector Berlioz
In the 1960s and 70s, Sir Colin was the foremost advocate of the composer. The music world's current appreciation of Berlioz could arguably be ascribed to his trailblazing commitment. Photo Credit: LSO Archive
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9. Sir Colin Davis at Sadler's Wells
In 1960 he was appointed principal conductor at Sadler's Wells, London.
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10. Sir Colin Davis at Covent Garden
English conductor Colin Davis rehearsing The Marriage of Figaro at Covent Garden, London, 19 November 1971.
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11. Sir Colin Davis and the LSO
In 1995, Sir Colin became the LSO's Principal Conductor, holding the post longer than anyone else in the history of the orchestra.
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12. Sir Colin Davis's many awards
The legendary figure picked up a number of prestigious awards in his lifetime, including a Grammy in 2006 for Best Opera for his LSO Live recording and a Classic BRIT Award in 2008 for Best Male Artist.
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13. Sir Colin Davis and family
After his first marriage to soprano April Cantelo, Sir Colin Davis married Ashraf Naini in 1964. Here they are with two of their children. Photo Credit: LSO Archive
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14. Sir Colin Davis and HRH
In 2009, Sir Colin Davis was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music. Photo credit: Clive Totman
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15. Sir Colin Davis - an inspiration to thousands
His influence stretched far and wide and was, aside from Sir Nevllie Marriner, the most recorded British conductor. Here, he accompanies Josep Caballé Domenech, the Spanish conductor and Sir Colin's protege.
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16. Sir Colin Davis and Mitsuko Uchida
Sir Colin enjoyed a particularly fruitful relationship with pianist Mitsuko Uchida in his later years, performing together on a number of occasions with the LSO. Photo Credit: Gautier Deblonde
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17. 'Sir' Colin Davis
Sir Colin was appointed CBE in 1965 and knighted in 1980. Photo credit: Kevin Leighton
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18. Sir Colin Davis - an 'exceptional' conductor
Sir Colin Davis was widely regarded as a conductor of exceptional capabilities across a whole range of repertoire. Photo credit: LSO Archive
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19. Sir Colin Davis - paying tribute to the great conductor
Classic FM's David Mellor was among the first to pay his respects to the conductor, describing the sad news as "the passing of a very major musician indeed". Photo credit: Alberto Venzago.
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20. Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013)
The sad news of Sir Colin Davis' passing was announced on Sunday Evening, April 14, 2013. Photo credit: Alberto Venzago.
