Sir Colin Davis

Sir Colin Rex Davis (25 September 1927 – 14 April 2013) was an English conductor, known for his association with the London Symphony Orchestra, having first conducted it in 1959. His repertoire was broad, but among the composers with whom he was particularly associated were Mozart, Berlioz, Elgar, Sibelius, Stravinsky and Tippett. Davis studied as a clarinetist, but was intent on becoming a conductor. After struggling as a freelance conductor from 1949 to 1957, he gained a series of appointments with orchestras including the BBC Scottish Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. He also held the musical directorships of Sadler's Wells Opera and the Royal Opera House, where he was principal conductor for over fifteen years. His guest conductorships included the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the Staatskapelle Dresden, among many others. As a teacher, Davis held posts at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and the Landesgymnasium für Musik "Carl Maria von Weber" (preparatory school for music) in Dresden. He made his first gramophone recordings in 1958, and his discography over the next five decades was extensive, with many studio recordings for Philips Records and a substantial catalogue of live recordings for the London Symphony Orchestra's own label.

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5 - 2025-11-14T00:00:00.000000Z

Bizet: Carmen - 2025-03-30T00:00:00.000000Z

Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 6-9 - 2024-08-30T00:00:00.000000Z

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H. 48 (Live) - 2024-04-19T00:00:00.000000Z

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H. 48 (Live) - 2024-04-19T00:00:00.000000Z

Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1-3, Enigma Variations, Cello Concerto, Marches - 2023-11-24T00:00:00.000000Z

Historical Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 (Live) - 2023-09-01T00:00:00.000000Z

Most Magic Moments of Mozart: Divertimentos Nos. 10 & 11 & Symphony No. 34, K. 338 - 2022-09-16T00:00:00.000000Z

Te Deum - 2020-11-20T00:00:00.000000Z

Beethoven 250 Fidelio Overture, Symphony No.7, the Creatures of Prometheus - 2020-04-03T00:00:00.000000Z

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique - Davis, LSO - 2020-03-06T00:00:00.000000Z

Dvořák: Symphonies Nos. 7 and 8 – Davis, LSO - 2020-03-06T00:00:00.000000Z

Dvorak: Symphonic Variations; Serenade for Strings - 2020-02-07T00:00:00.000000Z

Mozart: Flute Concertos; Symphonies 39, 40, 25, 29, 32 - 2020-02-07T00:00:00.000000Z

Leningrad Cello Concertos - 2020-01-03T00:00:00.000000Z

Elgar: Symphony No. 2 & Marches – Davis, Tuckwell, LSO - 2019-11-29T00:00:00.000000Z

The Last Night of the Proms - 2019-05-10T00:00:00.000000Z

Berlioz Odyssey: The Complete Colin Davis Recordings - 2018-11-30T00:00:00.000000Z

Berlioz: Harold in Italy; Overtures - 2018-08-31T00:00:00.000000Z

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7 - Sir Colin Davis, LSO - 2018-04-20T00:00:00.000000Z

Mozart: Requiem, K. 626 - 2018-02-23T00:00:00.000000Z

Suite Ballet Greek Carnival - 2017-05-05T00:00:00.000000Z

Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Nos. 1 & 2 - Spohr: Clarinet Concerto No. 1 - Weber: Clarinet Concerto No. 2 - 2016-11-04T00:00:00.000000Z

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7, Kullervo, Pohjola's Daughter, The Oceanides - 2016-10-14T00:00:00.000000Z

Sibelius: Violin Concerto; Six Humoresques - 2016-09-16T00:00:00.000000Z

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