Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Vocal

 

Leslie Heward was a British conductor and composer who made a significant contribution to the classical music scene in the early 20th century. Born on November 12, 1900, in Manchester, England, Heward showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He later studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music, where he excelled in composition and conducting. Heward's career as a conductor began in 1923 when he was appointed as the assistant conductor of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative conductor, and in 1926, he was appointed as the conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. During his time with the orchestra, Heward conducted a wide range of works, including those by Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. In 1930, Heward was appointed as the conductor of the BBC Northern Orchestra, which later became the BBC Philharmonic. He remained with the orchestra until his untimely death in 1940 at the age of 39. During his tenure with the BBC Philharmonic, Heward conducted a number of important premieres, including the first performance of William Walton's Viola Concerto in 1929. Heward was known for his innovative programming and his commitment to contemporary music. He was a champion of the works of British composers such as Walton, Elgar, and Vaughan Williams, and he also conducted works by composers from other countries, including Stravinsky, Bartók, and Shostakovich. One of Heward's most notable performances was his 1932 recording of Elgar's Enigma Variations with the BBC Northern Orchestra. The recording was praised for its clarity and precision, and it remains a classic interpretation of the work to this day. In addition to his work as a conductor, Heward was also a talented composer. He wrote a number of works for orchestra, including a symphony, a piano concerto, and a suite for strings. His music was well-received by critics, and he was seen as a promising young composer with a bright future ahead of him. Tragically, Heward's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1940. He died of pneumonia while on tour with the BBC Philharmonic in Scotland. He was just 39 years old. Despite his short career, Leslie Heward made a significant contribution to the classical music scene in Britain. He was a talented conductor and composer who was known for his innovative programming and his commitment to contemporary music. His legacy lives on through his recordings and his compositions, which continue to be performed and admired by musicians and music lovers around the world.

More....