A tribute to Bramwell Tovey from his good friend Paul Hindmarsh.

I have only just seen the deeply sad news that Bramwell Tovey has died.

He was one of the most charismatic and gifted musicians it was my privilege to know and work with across half a century in different circumstances. When we played in the same bands at the SA’s summer music camp at Tylney Hall we did not get to know each other. But I will always remember the pride with which his sister (who also worshipped at Croydon Citadel) would speak of his exploits. Then very much later, after I had started singing professionally, Bram conducted the Edinburgh Choral Union in a performance of Messiah. It was his very first Messiah as conductor. I had been singing the tenor solos for some time by then, and always remember the energy he brought to the performance. You’d never have thought he’d not conducted it before, such was his authority and presence. Here was a young conductor with a future I thought - and as it turned out a much brighter one than I ever achieved as a professional singer!

Fast forward a generation and our paths began to cross more frequently as his star as a conductor rose. I loved the way he inhabited the music he conducted. Nothing was ever routine. It was wonderful to work with him with Foden’s band - truly collaborative.That association was truly special in my experience. The CD I produced with them of contemporary music that I had chosen was such a privilege. To have an international conductor prepared to take the time to follow his banding passion was an example to us all. Bravo Bram for returning home to conduct NYBBGB for so long and so successfully, your friends at Fodens and all your earlier triumphs.

Bram was revered in Canada, where he lived for so many years. Receiving Canada’s highest honour as a musician is testimony to the high regard in which he was held. The members of the orchestras in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and his friends in the great orchestras of the US will be mourning his passing. Illness and Covid meant that his time as Chief Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra was not fully realised. He was just about to embark on a new chapter in Florida too. In my opinion, his international stature as a conductor was never fully appreciated in his homeland.

Then there is Bramwell Tovey the composer, pianist and inspirer. His hero Leonard Bernstein was obviously the model. His music is up to date but accessible and always direct and meaningful. Plain speaking, clear messages, spontaneous sounding but technically rock solid - a rare combination. His magic touch at the keyboard was inspiring. Bram was a truly gifted communicator and I know that I will miss him along with so many others with whom he came into contact.



At the RNCM Brass Band Festival in January Fodens was going to be giving a 70th birthday tribute. That will now be a memorial tribute to a life well lived. The last few years were very challenging for him but he fought to keep working as long as he could. Time to rest now my friend! RIP Bramwell Tovey.