Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1913

Death

:

1983

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Cedric Thorpe Davie was a Scottish composer who was born on 15th September 1913 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, William Davie, was a well-known conductor and composer, and his mother, Mary Thorpe, was a pianist and singer. Cedric showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Davie attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, where he studied composition with William Wallace and piano with Frederic Lamond. He also studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a pupil of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gordon Jacob. During his time at the Royal College of Music, he won several prizes for his compositions, including the Cobbett Prize for Chamber Music. After completing his studies, Davie worked as a music teacher and conductor in various schools and colleges in Scotland. He also served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, where he was a member of the RAF Central Band. After the war, he returned to Scotland and continued his career as a composer and conductor. Davie's music is characterized by its Scottish folk influences and his use of traditional Scottish melodies. He was also influenced by the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst, and his compositions often reflect their pastoral style. His works include orchestral pieces, chamber music, choral music, and songs. One of Davie's most famous works is his Scottish Dances, which was composed in 1946. The piece is a set of four dances based on traditional Scottish melodies, and it has become a popular piece in the Scottish classical music repertoire. Another notable work is his Symphony No. 1, which was composed in 1951. The symphony is a pastoral work that reflects Davie's love of the Scottish countryside. Davie also composed several operas, including The Ballad of Mary Stuart, which was first performed in 1958. The opera tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her imprisonment and execution by Queen Elizabeth I. The opera was well-received and has been performed several times since its premiere. In addition to his work as a composer, Davie was also a respected conductor. He conducted several orchestras in Scotland, including the Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He was also a professor of music at the University of Glasgow, where he taught composition and music theory. Davie received several awards and honors during his career, including the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1971 and the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 1985. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow in 1986. Cedric Thorpe Davie died on 18th July 1983 in Glasgow, Scotland. He left behind a legacy of Scottish classical music that continues to be celebrated today. His compositions are still performed by orchestras and choirs around the world, and his influence on Scottish music is still felt today.

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