Many of you will have seen the sad news of the death of British conductor Sir Edward Downes and his wife Joan, a former Ballet dancer. They both chose to end their lives by assisted suicide at a Swiss clinic. Sir Edward had sight and hearing problems and his wife had Terminal cancer.

Sir Edwards career lasted six decades and I especially remember many of the concerts that he gave as conductor of Manchesters BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. He was outstanding in Russian music and also introduced me to many little known works including the third symphony of Rutland Boughton. He also did a fine Sibelius 2 which I have on tape. This evening I am playing his recording of Elgars second symphony on Naxos 8. 550635 in memory of a great artist.--kp

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And he performed the Sixth quite a bit too.