Death of Bramwell Tovey
It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of Bramwell Tovey on Tuesday 12th July. Diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma in May of 2019, Bramwell underwent surgery in June of last year that left him briefly cancer free. However, in January scans confirmed a recurrence from which he was unable to recover.
Bramwell had a distinguished career as a conductor – one which, in 2018, led him to the role of Principal Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra. With early roots in the London Festival Ballet and Scottish Ballet companies, his distinguished career led him to regular engagements with most of the UK's major orchestras before he settled for many years in Canada as Music Director of the Winnipeg Symphony (1989–2001) and later, the Vancouver Symphony (2000–2018). He conducted most of the North American orchestras, being the principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Hollywood Bowl summer concerts and one of the most frequent guest conductors to the New York Philharmonic. Since 2018, he had been Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, and he was to become Music Director of the Sarasota Orchestra from the 2022–2023 season. In a press release Tom Ryan, Board Chair of Sarasota Orchestra conveyed their sense of loss stating, “The musical world has lost a real treasure,”
Bramwell was equally respected and revered within the brass band movement. Following an upbringing centring around the Salvation Army, Bramwell took up the tuba and developed a close affiliation with the brass band tradition, in particular the Foden's Band of which he was president. He was Artistic Director of the National Youth Brass Band from 2006 until 2020, where he undoubtedly inspired a generation of musicians. As well as his legendary conducting skills, Bramwell was also a superb pianist and a prolific and highly respected composer. He was also known for his warm personality, clever wit and superb musicianship, Maestro Tovey was beloved by musicians with whom he shared the stage and countless music lovers from around the globe. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends at this sad time. A full tribute to appear in the next issue of BBW.
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