The violinist was leader of the London Symphony Orchestra under the directorship of Claudio Abbado, as well as the Hallé Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has announced the death of its former leader, Michael Davis, on 13 November.
Davis was born in Chesterfield in 1944 and began his violin studies aged five with his father, who was a member of the Hallé Orchestra. He studied at London’s Royal College of Music with Hugh Bean and Cecil Aronowitz, later going on to win prizes and a scholarship to study with Henryk Szeryng.
Davis held leadership roles in numerous UK orchestras. In 1967, he was appointed associate leader of the Hallé Orchestra, becoming co-leader the following year.
He was appointed leader of the LSO in 1979, coinciding with the appointment of Claudio Abbado as its music director. During his tenure with LSO, Davis performed in London and internationally, including appearances at the Salzburg Festival, and recorded for Deutsche Grammophon.
Davis led the LSO at the opening concert of the Barbican in 1982, which became the orchestra’s new base. He worked with numerous soloists and conductors, such as Leonard Bernstein and Rafael Kubelik.
Davis left the LSO in 1987 to rejoin the Hallé Orchestra as its leader. He later joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leading the ensemble for many years.
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