Category: Radio 3; Proms & Orchestras
Date: 07.09.2006
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Sir John Drummond, a former Controller of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3 and Director of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Proms, has died at the age of 71.
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An announcement about Sir John's death was made on Radio 3 soon after 9.00pm yesterday.
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Sir John was also a former Director of the Edinburgh International Festival.
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A tribute was issued by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ on behalf of Jenny Abramsky, Director of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio & Music; Nicholas Kenyon, Controller, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Proms, Live Events & Television Classical Music; and Roger Wright, Controller, Radio3.
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It reads: "Sir John Drummond was one of the great cultural figures of our time, and a passionate defender of excellence in the arts.
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"As Controller of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3, Director of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Proms and before in a career that included ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TV Music and Arts and the directorship of the Edinburgh International Festival, he upheld the highest standards and fought constantly to ensure that classical music and dance kept their place at the centre of our cultural life.
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"He was fiercely committed to the cause of new music and an adventurous repertoire and, during his time, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Proms became a truly international festival of great orchestras, a beacon for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s commitment to cultural patronage.
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"He was a commanding personality, a great impresario, and a valued colleague for countless artists and performers.
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"He will be much missed by them, and by the whole of our cultural life."
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Today (Thursday) ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Chairman Michael Grade also paid tribute: "The arts in this country have lost a great champion. He was a showman and impresario with exquisite taste and made a lasting contribution to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ arts and music programming."
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The 60th anniversary concert of Radio 3 on 29 September 2006 will be dedicated to his memory.
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