Ralph Downes
Ralph Downes | |
---|---|
Born | Ralph William Downes 16 August 1904 |
Died | 24 December 1993 |
Alma mater | Royal College of Music |
Occupation(s) | Organist, Professor of Organ in the Royal College of Music |
Ralph William Downes
Biography
Downes was born in
During his time in America, Downes was influenced by the organ builder
In 1948, he was commissioned to design the organ for the Royal Festival Hall.[1] When the organ was first unveiled in 1954, it caused some controversy, but it proved to be the beginning of what is now perceived as the classical reform movement in organ design, leaving behind the vast edifices of Victorian civic instruments in favour of a simpler and more cohesive sound, more characteristic of the Baroque era.[1] Although the final result was still not wholly to his taste, lacking in some tonal colours which he would have preferred, it clearly pointed the way to the "modern" British organs such as those built by Grant, Degens and Bradbeer (see New College Oxford)[3] and Mander. Downes helped execute the rebuilding of many famous organs, including St Albans Cathedral (in 1963)[1] and Gloucester Cathedral[4] (in 1971).
He was Professor of Organ in the Royal College of Music from 1954 to 1975[2] and was regarded as the leading organ teacher of his day.[1] His influence on students such as Dame Gillian Weir, Thomas Trotter, John Scott and Roucher du Toit is a matter of record. He also taught Trevor Pinnock. It was Downes who urged Weir to compete in the prestigious St Albans International Organ Festival at St Albans, where she took first prize. Downes visited the Festival numerous times.
Recordings of Downes at the organ are still available, notably those with
He was appointed CBE in 1969.
His son was the distinguished architectural historian Kerry Downes (1930-2019).[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Webb, Stanley; Patrick Russill. "Ralph Downes". Grove Music Online (subscription access). Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
- ^ ISBN 0-19-869162-9
- ^ "The Organ - Choir of New College Oxford". 25 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012.
- ISBN 0-521-57584-2
- ^ The Independent, 1 January 1994, Obituary: Marc Naylor retrieved 27 February 2018
- ^ "Downes, Kerry". arthistorians.info. Retrieved 15 August 2015.