Sir David Willcocks, R.I.P.

david-willcocks-maggie-heywood_0We are sorry to hear of the death of Sir David Willcocks (on 17th September), a giant of the world of choral music. David Willcocks was conductor of the City of Birmingham Choir 1950-1957, later taking up his famous roles as director of King’s College choir, Cambridge, and The Bach Choir, as well as editing the Carols for Choirs books. Sir David kept in touch with us, recording a message for our 90th anniversary.

…At Birmingham he gave noted performances of Tippett’s Child Of Our Time and Britten’s Spring Symphony, together in 1952 with the first English performance of Maurice DuruflĂ©’s Requiem…
(The Independent)

Read his obituaries:
Guardian
Gramophone.
Independent
Telegraph
Telegraph – full obituary

90th anniversary message: Sir David Willcocks
Photo by Maggie Heywood.