The celebrated composer, conductor and teacher Brian Boydell has died in Dublin.
Brian Patrick Boydell was born on 17 March 1917. He studied natural sciences at Cambridge, later switching to music. He wrote compositions for symphony orchestras, string quartets, choral and chamber choirs. For twenty years, he was Professor of Music at Trinity College Dublin and was a founding member of the Music Association of Ireland. He was a member of Aosdána and served on the Arts Council for many years. He received honorary doctorates from the National University of Ireland (NUI) and was an honorary fellow of the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Along with his music, Brian Boydell also enjoyed painting and motor racing.
As well as writing, conducting and teaching, he also performed with orchestras.
I started out in the fifties, really regarded as the naughty boy of modern music. Now, after all these years, I suppose my music is regarded as a bit old hat.
Brian Boydell died on 7 November 2000 and is survived by his wife, Mary, two sons and two sisters.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 November 2000. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
