Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013) studied clarinet at the Royal College of Music in London but conducting was his first love. His first appointment was as an assistant with the BBC Scottish Orchestra (1957) and he made his first recording the following year. In 1959 and 1960 he deputised for Klemperer (Don Giovanni, Royal Festival Hall) and Beecham (Zauberflote, Glyndebourne) and he made his Proms debut in 1960. He was Music Director at both Sadler’s Wells (1961-5) and at the Royal Opera House (1970-86). During a distinguished career Davis held important posts with the BBC Symphony, London Symphony, Dresden Staatskapelle, Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic and Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestras. From a wide repertoire his performances of Berlioz, Mozart, Sibelius, Elgar, Tippett, Stravinsky, Verdi and Wagner stand out.
Sir Colin Davis
