There has been a remarkable outpouring of gratitude directed at Bramwell Tovey as he works on his final series of concert appearances as Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

As he prepares to make a musical return to the UK to become the principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra, his 18 years of outstanding artistic leadership and promotion of the cultural importance of music making in the Canadian city has been marked by widespread acclaim.

Thanks

The influential Vancouver 'The Georgia Straight' is the latest major media outlet to thank him in expansive manner; highlighting not only their opinion that the orchestra "has never sounded better", but that during the past 18 years he has completely revolutionised its role as a beacon of excellence and social inclusion in the city.

The article by the respected journalist Alexander Varty states: "An unscientific poll of audience members, from veteran season-ticket holders to composers to adventurous rock musicians, finds universal agreement that Tovey will be handing over a well-oiled machine to Otto Tausk…"

Meanwhile composer Jocelyn Morlock said: "He's willing to put as much new music out there as possible. He believes that the audience will come to us if we try to make a connection with them. So it's not put there apologetically; it's put there with pride and curiosity."

the orchestra, I think, has been a good social citizen, and every penny of public subsidy that it's received at any level has contributed to the economic well-being of the areaBramwell Tovey

Central hub

Thanks to his success in being able to develop the orchestra into becoming a central hub of Vancouver's cultural life through projects such as its School of Music, two new festivals and the regeneration of the area around its home base, it is little wonder he is to be missed.

As he states: "... the orchestra, I think, has been a good social citizen, and every penny of public subsidy that it's received at any level has contributed to the economic well-being of the area. It's good investment by government and a good investment by ticket buyers…"

Thankfully for the Canadians, as the newspaper article states: "…his departure is not so much a matter of adieu as au revoir"as following a series of 'Bravo Bramwell!' concerts over the next few weeks, he will still retain a connection as Music Director Emeritus, as well as keeping a flat in the city and becoming Director of Orchestral Activities at Boston University.

Full article

The full article can be seen at: https://www.straight.com/arts/1082346/bramwell-toveys-years-vso-leave-powerful-musical-legacy