Bramwell Tovey, a popular composer and music conductor, tragically died. He was 69.
Multiple news outlets, including The Washington Post, confirmed the passing of Tovey one day after celebrating his 69th birthday. It was disclosed that he died at his home in Barrington, Rhode Island, surrounded by his family.
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra expressed their heartbreak through a statement penned by Executive Director David Beauchesne.
"Bramwell Tovey was a dear friend and colleague, and a person of uncommon ability, warmth, humor, sincerity, and kindness. The youngest student and most revered guest artist received the same level of his care and attention," he wrote.
The statement did not disclose Bramwell Tovey's cause of death. But Billboard divulged that he died after his previous cancer diagnosis returned in January.
Tovey learned that he had a form of sarcoma in May 2019. He underwent surgery at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in June 2021 which left him cancer-free.
But things took a turn for the worse this year when cancer reoccurred again.
According to the American Cancer Society, sarcoma is different from carcinoma as the tumor in this case, begins in a bone or muscle. It mostly starts in bones, such as osteosarcomas.
Bramwell Tovey Honored By Colleagues
Aside from Beauchesne, Tovey's colleagues and different groups paid tribute to him after his passing.
The Vancouver Symphony, where he became the longest-serving music director and the orchestra's music director emeritus, said, "His dedication and enthusiasm for building a strong community through music helped place the VSO at the heart of cultural life throughout the Lower Mainland."
Meanwhile, president and CEO of the VSO Angela Elster also wrote (via Vancouver Sun) that they lost an incredible musician and maestro. She also expressed how shattered and heartbroken they are after losing the conductor.
I played a Royal Conservatory Orchestra concert with the maestro a few years back. Watching him coach the students was inspiring and insightful. My favourite thing he taught: "Tempo is like life. It never really goes the same pace. Only a clock can do that." -Bramwell Tovey. RIP
— Liz Eccleston (@LizEccleston) July 13, 2022
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Before his death, Tovey garnered Grammy and Juno awards in the past years. Known as a tuba and piano player, he spent his early days of career in Salvation Army bands.
He became friends with Leonard Bernstein when he was tapped to become a last-minute substitute at the opening night of the London Symphony Orchestra's Leonard Bernstein Festival. From there, he expanded his career even more.
His other works include serving as a music director at the Winnipeg Symphony and with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida.
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