Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew Downes

Paula Downes interviews Dr. Karen Demsey, Professor of Flute and Musicology and Coordinator of Woodwinds at William Paterson University of New Jersey in America. Karen Demsey performed Andrew Downes' Sonata for 8 Solo Flutes with the virtuoso ensemble, UpTown Flutes in New Jersey in 2006.  By this time, the work had become a favourite of the ensemble, included on nearly every concert over a period of several years.  It was abundantly clear to UpTown Flutes that the work must be included on their next album, so Karen contacted Andrew Downes to ask permission to record it.  During this interview you will hear from Karen about the serendipitous sequence of events set in motion from that initial contact that led to her current research project.  UpTown Flutes recorded the work for a CD entitled "Uptown Flutes: 21st Century Gems," released in 2009.  

Joe Seager interviews Anna Downes, Andrew's older daughter, about the life and works of Andrew Downes, as well as about his work as an educator, and the health issues he has overcome at the Birmingham Recorded Music Club at the Birmingham and Midland Institue, May 17th, 2019.

Paula Downes interviews Ondrej Vrabec, outstanding Principal Horn Player of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra about the music of Andrew Downes and his experiences of performing, conducting and recording it.

Soprano and filmmaker Paula Downes talks about her life as a muso mum performing the music of Andrew Downes, the crazy challenges it has presented and the amazing experiences they have had as a family.

Paula Downes interviews members of The Meridian Singers, a Community Choir she directs in Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire to find out why they like singing in the choir and how they enjoy singing the music of Andrew Downes. We hear them performing his arrangement of 'Veni Emmanuel' with organ and brass, his settings of 'What shall I do to show how much I love her?' and 'I was glad' as well as his 'Gloria' from 'The Holy Communion'.

Paula Downes interviews renowned pianist and great family friend, Duncan Honeybourne, who has been a wonderful ambassador of the music of Andrew Downes. This episode features Duncan's CD recording of all Downes 'piano works, Daybreak in the Fields released by EM records in 2017. 

Paula Downes explores and presents the Native American influences on Andrew Downes' music with a main focus on his Symphony No.4 for Concert Wind Band which was composed following a trip to New Mexico in 1995, performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. This episode is important from the point of view of our current Climate Emergency: we could learn a lot from Native American Culture.

Paula Downes talks about the Power of Evensong to heal and calm through rituals, collective worship and dark candlelit space; the similarities between Evensongs and Yoga/Pilates classes; and the importance of music education. Throughout the podcast she plays movements from Andrew Downes' Runnymede Choral Evensong Service performed by Royal Holloway Chapel Choir under Professor Lionel Pike. 

Paula Downes interviews her sister Anna Downes, Andrew Downes' older daughter, about her life and career performing the works of Andrew Downes. They talk about the decline of music education, raising money for the homeless and other charities and the importance of music for well-being. andrewdownes.com 

Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew Downes. Episode 1: Introduction