Around the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 17

Music & Conversation: The Podcast of English Composer Andrew Downes

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 17 covers the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, with Andrew Downes watching in his highchair; Frank's first TV broadcasts; a mishap with his horn pull-through; Sir John Reith and Sir John Manduel. Paula has chosen to end this episode with the Prelude from Andrew Downes' Five Dramatic Pieces for Eight Wager Tubas, from the CD, "Andrew Downes: Works for Horns and Wagner Tubas", dedicated to te memory of Frank Downes. This work was described as "Gorgeous writing" by Petroc Trelawny on BBC Radio 3 in 2014: https://www.andrewdownes.com/Instrumental-Ensemble.html#Wagner The image of the Queen is a photograph of a Candy Box at about the time of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 by Ross Dunn.