David Ellis
British composer, conductor, record producer and administrator David Ellis was born in Liverpool on 10 March 1933 and studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music where, with fellow students Harrison Birtwistle, Peter Maxwell Davies, Alexander Goehr, Elgar Howarth and John Ogdon, he formed the New Music Manchester Group. His compositions began to attract awards, commissions and performances.
He worked as a music producer for the BBC, initially in charge of administration and programme planning for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and later becoming head of music for BBC North. He was subsequently artistic director and composer-in-residence of the Northern Chamber Orchestra, and then, in Portugal, assistant to the Orquestra Sinfonica Portuguesa's chief conductor Alvaro Cassuto.
He returned to the UK to devote his time to composition and CD production, working with many important record labels.
David Ellis (1933-2023)
His music has been played and broadcast in many countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Israel, Portugal, UK and the USA.
David Ellis died on 20 April 2023, aged ninety, following a fall.
A selection of articles about David Ellis
Classical music news - April 2023 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
CD Spotlight. Serious and Entertaining - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to choral music by William Mathias. '... each moment ... truly captivates and draws further.'
Classical music news. Le Poisson Magique - Resonus issues John McCabe's complete organ music on CD to mark the composer's eightieth birthday year
CD Spotlight. Very Interesting and Original - Geoff Pearce listens to chamber music by John McCabe and David Ellis. '... superb performances delivered by the Camerata Ensemble.'
CD Spotlight. Lively and Entertaining - A portrait of Antony Hopkins, heard by Patric Standford. '... a warm and generous tribute ...'