Davis was for more than a decade both the chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the musical director of Glyndebourne festival opera.
Between 1988 and 2018 he led proceedings at the Last Night of the Proms on 12 occasions, twice delivering the customary conductor speech in the manner of the major-general in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance: "This is the very model of a modern music festival."
His agent, Jonathan Brill, told the PA Media news agency that he had been diagnosed with leukaemia, which became acute shortly after his 80th birthday on 2 February.
Among those to pay tribute yesterday was the mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly, who said she was terribly saddened at the news.
"I can't use the word 'dead' because in my memory he's hearty & hale, self-deprecating & humble, smart, funny, super-sharp musically and I'm grateful the Fates allowed us to work together," she wrote on X.
"Sir Andrew's wish was to make things easier for his musicians and that takes great kindness, a deep soul and no arrogance. When I see bad, mean behaviour from any conductor it looks pathetic, because getting the best outcome does not require bullying or put downs."
The cellist and music campaigner Julian Lloyd Webber said Davis was "a great musician who was wonderful with his soloists. I treasure the memory of a lovely Delius Concerto in 2012 [with the Philharmonia Orchestra]."
The pianist Stephen Hough said Davis was "a wonderful collaborator in concertos - the sharpest ear and clearest stick."
Sakari Oramo, the current chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, said on X: "Remembering with greatest respect and admiration everything Sir Andrew Davis did for music, and particularly for dear BBCSO over many decades. Always with distinction and kindness."
The BBC Symphony Orchestra...
Between 1988 and 2018 he led proceedings at the Last Night of the Proms on 12 occasions, twice delivering the customary conductor speech in the manner of the major-general in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance: "This is the very model of a modern music festival."
His agent, Jonathan Brill, told the PA Media news agency that he had been diagnosed with leukaemia, which became acute shortly after his 80th birthday on 2 February.
Among those to pay tribute yesterday was the mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly, who said she was terribly saddened at the news.
"I can't use the word 'dead' because in my memory he's hearty & hale, self-deprecating & humble, smart, funny, super-sharp musically and I'm grateful the Fates allowed us to work together," she wrote on X.
"Sir Andrew's wish was to make things easier for his musicians and that takes great kindness, a deep soul and no arrogance. When I see bad, mean behaviour from any conductor it looks pathetic, because getting the best outcome does not require bullying or put downs."
The cellist and music campaigner Julian Lloyd Webber said Davis was "a great musician who was wonderful with his soloists. I treasure the memory of a lovely Delius Concerto in 2012 [with the Philharmonia Orchestra]."
The pianist Stephen Hough said Davis was "a wonderful collaborator in concertos - the sharpest ear and clearest stick."
Sakari Oramo, the current chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, said on X: "Remembering with greatest respect and admiration everything Sir Andrew Davis did for music, and particularly for dear BBCSO over many decades. Always with distinction and kindness."
The BBC Symphony Orchestra...
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The Guardian (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 22, 2024