Notes and Editorial Reviews
At a time when so little light music can be heard either in the concert hall or on the radio, what earlier generations recognised easily and instinctively is somehow not easy to describe. Indeed, the meaning of the term has exercised many musical brains over many years. Yet there has always been light music in virtually every country, not least in Britain, where it flourished during the first half of the last century and only began to fade in the 1960s. But where did it start? Many would say that broadcasting was the most powerful force in stimulating the spread of light music; they point to the 1930s, when it was nothing for there to be two or even three programmes each day given by ensembles of different sizes and styles. Long before
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that, though, most British holiday resorts worthy of the title boasted their own small or medium-sized orchestras, which brought light music direct to the public through morning and afternoon concerts in park, bandstand or seaside concert hall. Their repertoire was exceptionally wide and varied, ranging from cornet and piccolo solos and songs from the latest London musical stage successes to, in some cases, a Haydn symphony, and it was for those orchestras that composers who could orchestrate deftly and, above all, write a good tune poured out their talents.
Over the years the repertoire became more defined and a huge library gradually built up of specially written pieces which created a distinct category of their own. They were not arrangements of songs (though there were plenty of those); they were original orchestral pieces, often descriptive but in many cases simply three or four minutes of music with an arresting main theme and a contrasting middle section. If they succeeded with listeners it was simply on account of the fact that they were well written and had melodies which were immediately attractive. As the veteran broadcaster Denis Norden has remarked, light music is ‘not just tuneful round the outside, but tuneful right through’.
Some of the greatest composers have embraced it in their less serious moments, but the finest exponents have been those who have devoted their careers to it, and to the closely associated genre of film music. These CDs include works by a wide range of such composers, the most important of whom are Eric Coates—with whom we begin and end—Percy Grainger, Albert W. Ketèlbey and Ronald Binge.
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Works on This Recording
1.
The Merrymakers: Miniature Overture by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Gilbert Vinter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
2.
London "London Every Day": Knightsbridge by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Sir Charles Groves
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; England
3.
Elizabethan Serenade by Ronald Binge
Conductor:
Reginald Kilbey
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Studio Two Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1952; England
4.
The Watermill by Ronald Binge
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1958; England
5.
In a Persian Market by Albert William Ketèlbey
Conductor:
John Lanchbery
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ambrosian Singers,
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1920; England
6.
Sleepy Lagoon by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Sir Charles Mackerras
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1942; England
7.
Calling All Workers by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Reginald Kilbey
Orchestra/Ensemble:
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1940; England
8.
Country Gardens by Percy Aldridge Grainger
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
9.
Irish Tune from County Derry "Danny Boy" by Percy Aldridge Grainger
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1913; England
10.
Little Suite: March by Trevor Duncan
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1960; England
11.
In a Monastery Garden by Albert William Ketèlbey
Conductor:
John Lanchbery
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ambrosian Singers,
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1915; England
12.
Fancy Dress, Op. 82: Dusk by Cecil Armstrong Gibbs
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1935; England
13.
Mock Morris by Percy Aldridge Grainger
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1910; England
14.
Shepherd's Hey by Percy Aldridge Grainger
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
15.
Bells across the Meadows by Albert William Ketèlbey
Conductor:
John Lanchbery
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ambrosian Singers,
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1921; England
16.
London Again: Oxford Street by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1936; England
17.
Devil's Galop by Charles Williams
Conductor:
Charles Williams
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Charles Williams Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1944; England
18.
Barwick Green by Arthur Wood
Conductor:
Sidney Torch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sidney Torch Orchestra
19.
Marching Strings by Ray Martin
Conductor:
Ray Martin
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ray Martin Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1930; England
20.
Sailing By by Ronald Binge
Conductor:
John Scott
Orchestra/Ensemble:
John Scott Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950s; England
21.
Portrait of a Flirt by Robert Farnon
Conductor:
Sidney Torch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1947; England
22.
Dance in the Twighlight by Eric Coates
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 4 Minutes 10 Secs.
23.
Vanity Fair by Anthony Collins
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 44 Secs.
24.
Punchinello Overture by Frederic Curzon
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1947; England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 2 Minutes 44 Secs.
25.
Little Serenade by Ernest Tomlinson
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1955
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 23 Secs.
26.
Miss Melanie by Ronald Binge
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: circa 1950; England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 2 Minutes 25 Secs.
27.
Waltz by Alan Langford
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 2 Minutes 29 Secs.
28.
Elizabethan Masque by Fredric Bayco
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 2 Minutes 27 Secs.
29.
Portuguese Party by Gilbert Vinter
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 3 Secs.
30.
Siciliano by Harry Dexter
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 44 Secs.
31.
Moods: no 6, Joyousness by Haydn Wood
Conductor:
George Weldon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pro Arte Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; England
Date of Recording: 02/1963
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 4 Minutes 22 Secs.
32.
Elizabethan Serenade by Ronald Binge
Conductor:
Reginald Kilbey
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Studio Two Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1952; England
Date of Recording: 06/25/1970
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 34 Secs.
33.
Paris: Montmartre by Haydn Wood
Conductor:
Reginald Kilbey
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Studio Two Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1944; England
Date of Recording: 06/25/1970
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 4 Minutes 2 Secs.
34.
Lullaby for Penelope by Leslie Osborne
Conductor:
Reginald Kilbey
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Studio Two Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 06/25/1970
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 46 Secs.
35.
Portrait of a Flirt by Robert Farnon
Conductor:
Reginald Kilbey
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Studio Two Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1947; England
Date of Recording: 06/25/1970
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 2 Minutes 46 Secs.
36.
Rouge et Noir by Fred Hartley
Conductor:
Reginald Kilbey
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Studio Two Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 06/25/1970
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 2 Minutes 22 Secs.
37.
Little Suite: March by Trevor Duncan
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1960; England
Date of Recording: 10/14/1969
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 14 Secs.
38.
Boulevardier by Frederic Curzon
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1939; England
Date of Recording: 10/14/1969
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 37 Secs.
39.
The Watermill by Ronald Binge
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1958; England
Date of Recording: 10/14/1969
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 4 Minutes 1 Secs.
40.
Tabarinage by Robert Docker
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1961; England
Date of Recording: 10/14/1969
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 18 Secs.
41.
Wood Nymphs by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Eric Coates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Eric Coates Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1918; England
Date of Recording: 08/16/1957
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 15 Secs.
42.
Impression of a Princess by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Eric Coates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Eric Coates Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1956; England
Date of Recording: 08/16/1957
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 3 Minutes 0 Secs.
43.
The Dam Busters by Eric Coates
Conductor:
Eric Coates
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Eric Coates Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1955; England
Date of Recording: 1955
Length: 2 Minutes 58 Secs.
44.
The Ring of Kerry: no 1, Jaunting Car by Peter Hope
Conductor:
Sir Vivian Dunn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Light Music Society Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: England
Date of Recording: 10/14/1969
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 2 Minutes 40 Secs.
Sound Samples
By the Sleepy Lagoon - Valse serenade
Calling All Workers - March (1988 Digital Remaster)
In a Persian Market (1998 Digital Remaster)
The Merrymakers: Miniature Overture
London Suite (1988 Digital Remaster): III. Knightsbridge (March)
Irish Tune from County Derry (Londonderry Air) BFMS15 (1990 Digital Remaster)
Mock Morris RMTB 1 (1990 Digital Remaster)
In a Monastery Garden (1998 Digital Remaster)
Country Gardens (Morris Dance Tune) BFMS22 (arr. Artok) (1990 Digital Remaster)
Shepherd's Hey (Morris Dance Tune) BFMS16 (1990 Digital Remaster)
The Dream of Olwen (1988 Digital Remaster)
Dusk (from Fancy Dress - Dance Suite Op. 82)
Bells across the meadows (1998 Digital Remaster)
Cornish Rhapsody (1988 Digital Remaster)
London Again - Suite (1997 Digital Remaster): I. Oxford Street (March)
Devil's Galop (Signature Music For The Dick Barton Programm)
Barwick Green (The Archers Theme)
Marching Strings (1997 Digital Remaster)
Springtime - Suite (1963 Digital Remaster): III. Dance in the Twilight
Punchinello - Miniature Overture
Waltz for string orchestra
Moods - Suite: VI. Joyousness
Paris - Suite: III. Montmatre
The Ring of Kerry: I. Jaunting Car
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