December 2018

BBC Genome has made 1940s Radio Times magazines
available online for the first time!

BBC Genome has made 1940s Radio Times magazines available online for the first time.

Find them here: https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/issues#decade-1940

BBC Genome announcement video (click above)

December 2018

VINTAGE WIRELESS AND TELEVISION MUSEUM, DULWICH

An Afternoon of Music - 1st December 2018

Our regular Afternoon of Music took place – for the first time – in our new log cabin. By moving some of the exhibits to one side and filling with chairs, we had more than enough room to seat 20 people. It was very comfortable and the music was enhanced by being surrounded by the wonderful collection of [mainly] Philips and Ekco wireless sets.

Visitors arrived in good time to have a look around the museum, at 1pm, all guests furnished with a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit settled in for the event.

Tony Clayden opened the proceedings and introduced his guest presenters.

First up was Brian Reynolds, composer, author and radio presenter. Brian is probably the greatest expert on the famous radio programme Music While You Work – which commenced during WW2 as a morale-booster for factory workers and continued for many years thereafter. He has also amassed an amazing collection of off-air recordings of MWYW and similar 'live' music programmes, which were the mainstay of BBC radio until the 60s.

Brian played a selection of light orchestral music, celebrating the vast contribution that the BBC made to this genre through its numerous regional 'house' orchestras.

Next was Martin Cleave, whose 'day job' is musical director at the Royal Academy of Dance, London and who came armed, in true Desert Island Discs style, with eight '78' records and a wind-up HMV portable gramophone. Martin played music performed Ron Goodwin and his Concert Orchestra, and from the orchestras of Mantovani, Victor Silvester and Josephine Bradley and her ballroom orchestra. The records were played by winding up the gramophone spring - Tony observed, " think how much money the Museum is saving on the electricity!! "

Martin led us into the interval when chilli con carne, cheese and baked baked potatoes – followed by trifle – was served, and of course more tea and coffee!

Tony Clayden finished the afternoon with a history of Haydn Wood, an important figure in the world of British Light Music. Tony is an authority on the life and work of Wood; he was instrumental in assisting with the production of a very recently released CD, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Sutherland, recorded in the Watford Coliseum, and issued on the Vocalion Epoch label.

We heard Festival March, followed by Seville from the Cities of Romance Suite and Charles Chaplin from the Three Famous Cinema Stars Suite. Tony also played a number of other tracks from recordings of Haydn Wood compositions, and finished his presentation with the well-known piece 'Horseguards – Whitehall' from the London Landmarks Suite, which was used as the signature tune for the long-running BBC Radio programme Down Your Way.

The afternoon was really a wonderful escape from the miserable weather, in cosy surroundings with likeminded people. Please try and come along to future Afternoons of Music, you are most welcome.

Tony also invited ideas for future programmes and also guest presenters. Afternoon of Music events in 2019 are in March, [Sat 24th] August [Sat 2nd] and December [Saturday 7th].

? John Thompson 2018 https://bvwm.org.uk/

November 2018

Long-awaited HAYDN WOOD CD now available.

On November 18th 2018, Vocalion Epoch finally released the eagerly anticipated CD of orchestral works by the celebrated Light Music composer Haydn Wood.

Most of the compositions are making their recording debut and all were performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Sutherland, at the Watford Coliseum, in August 2017.

A full review of the disc may be found here

August 2018

VOCALION BOOKS

The Mood Modern:
The story of two of the world’s greatest recorded music libraries:

KPM (1956-1977) and Bruton Music (1978-1980)

Vocalion Books – a subsidiary of renowned reissue label Vocalion and leading independent classical label Dutton Epoch – presents its publishing debut: The Mood Modern. The product of extensive research, this new book tells the story of KPM and Bruton Music – two of the world’s greatest recorded music libraries.

Also known variously as mood, stock, background or production music, for decades library music has made an important though anonymous contribution to the broadcast media, supplying film, radio and television with innumerable themes and underscores.

The Mood Modern is three books in one, weaving together the separate strands of company history, biography and critical assessment of some of the most important music collectively produced by the KPM and Bruton libraries during the course of a quarter century, spanning the years from 1956 to 1980. At the heart of the book, however, is the Phillips family, one of Britain’s great music publishing dynasties, but in particular Robin Phillips (1939-2006).

The mid-1960s through the ’70s have come to be regarded as library music’s golden age. In Britain, it was when this somewhat mysterious branch of the music industry emerged from the chrysalis of its light music heritage, into a vibrant new era of modern, colourful sounds. Robin Phillips played a fundamental role in this transformation when, in 1966, he established a new library – the KPM 1000 Series. Robin would also introduce several new composers who would quickly become some of the best-known and most successful names in the library music field: Keith Mansfield, Johnny Pearson, Syd Dale, Alan Hawkshaw, James Clarke, David Lindup, Brian Bennett and Steve Gray among others. And thanks to Robin’s guidance, by the early ’70s the 1000 Series had become one of the world’s foremost libraries, its music a ubiquitous presence in countless films, documentaries, radio programmes and television series.

But in 1977, at the height of his success, Robin left KPM for ATV Music – taking with him his right-hand man, Aaron Harry, and the major composers – where he formed the Bruton library under the auspices of his brother Peter (who by now was ATV Music’s managing director) and show business mogul Lew Grade’s financial adviser, Jack Gill.

Drawing on interviews with members of the Phillips family (including Peter Phillips) and many of the composers, recording engineers, musicians and staff of both libraries, The Mood Modern tells the remarkable inside story of how KPM and, subsequently, Bruton came to be dominant forces in library music, both in Britain and internationally.

In addition to charting the origin and history of the music publishing firms – Keith Prowse and Peter Maurice – that merged to form KPM, The Mood Modern covers numerous related areas. These include the birth of Britain’s library music industry; the early British libraries and their inseparable link to the English light music tradition; how the arrival of commercial television in Britain led to the formation of the Keith Prowse library in 1956 under the aegis of its manager, Patrick Howgill, which paved the way for the KPM library; KPM’s legacy as a famous popular music publisher and its place in the history of Denmark Street (London’s Tin Pan Alley); Robin’s father, legendary music publisher Jimmy Phillips; the corporate manoeuvring that saw Keith Prowse, Peter Maurice and KPM bought and sold; and the clash with management that eventually caused Peter and Robin Phillips to leave KPM for ATV Music.

The importance of the recording engineer is acknowledged in The Mood Modern, and those who largely shaped the “sound” of the KPM and Bruton libraries are featured: Ted Fletcher, Adrian Kerridge, Mike Clements, Richard Elen (KPM) and Chris Dibble (Bruton Music). There’s detailed coverage of all the KPM 1000 Series’ overseas sessions – including personnel, dates, locations and what was recorded – and chapters respectively devoted to the sessions in Bickendorf, Cologne (along with the stellar lineup of international jazz talent that played on them) and in KPM’s two in- house studios. The Musicians’ Union embargo, which had forced British libraries to record much of their material on the Continent, is also scrutinised, as are the negotiations with the MU of the late ’70s that finally allowed British libraries to resume recording in British studios with British musicians.

As well as delineating the setting up of the Bruton library, its struggle to get established and the background of the parent company, ATV Music (itself a division of entertainment conglomerate Associated Television [ATV]), Bruton’s recording sessions and early output are put under the spotlight.

Another aspect of The Mood Modern is the chapter-length biographical portraits of five of the KPM 1000 Series’ principal composers: Syd Dale, Johnny Pearson, Keith Mansfield, James Clarke and David Lindup. This is the first time that any of them have been the subject of an in-depth portrait, and these chapters take in many associated areas: KPM library offshoots Aristocrat, Radio Program Music and the KPM International series; the litany of famous and not-so-famous TV and radio themes within the KPM library; Lansdowne Studios; British jazz and pop; classical music; commissioned film and TV scores; BBC Television and Radio; Independent Television (ITV); the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society; the Performing Right Society; Phonographic Performance Ltd. and so much more.

A host of other composers also feature in The Mood Modern. These include KPM and Bruton stalwarts Laurie Johnson, Neil Richardson, Steve Gray, Dave Gold, Francis Monkman, Brian Bennett, Alan Hawkshaw, John Dankworth, John Scott, Duncan Lamont, John Fiddy and John Cameron as well as the KPM 1000 Series’ house bands, WASP and SHARKS.

Putting everything into further perspective is a thorough examination of the pre-1000 Series KPM library, and a chapter that focuses on a leading music editor of the ’70s, who describes the processes and equipment that were used in transferring library music onto the soundtracks of films, documentaries and television programmes.

The Mood Modern is not only a major study of a fascinating sector of the music industry, but also essential reading for anyone with even a passing interest in soundtrack music.

The Mood Modern specifications:

Publisher: Vocalion Books
486 pages
Foreword by Keith Mansfield
Hardback and paperback editions
ISBNs: 978-1-9996796-0-6 (hardback) / 978-1-9996796-1-3 (paperback)
Fully indexed
Two sixteen-page photo sections, one in b&w, one in colour, both containing many never-before-published images: from the Phillips family archive, and of composers, musicians, recording sessions, catalogues, music scores and studio brochures

August 2018

Boosey & Hawkes catalogue plea

In the 1990s an amazing discographer, the late Eddie Shaw did a superb job putting together the complete Bosworth and Boosey library music disc lists. I have been fortunate enough to acquire his Bosworth catalogue, which is pure gold for musical research purposes, but unfortunately I have not been so lucky with the Boosey equivalent.

The Current Boosey company have said 'try Cavendish', Cavendish have said to me 'never heard of it' and Boosey's official archivist has been completely uncooperative. The Only known copy is in a library in Cologne!

Can I use this forum to send out a plea - Does ANYONE have a copy of the B&H catalogue, who would be prepared to sell it, or just lend it (so I could do a photocopy & then return)

I hope I can repeat this plea at the next Light Music meeting, but in the meantime HELP!! I really need this book, badly for my researches

Thanks

Alex Gleason

(Please reply to Alex via alex@londonlightmusic.org.uk)

July 2018

Patrick Williams, Emmy-Winning TV Composer, Dies at 79

Patrick Williams, who was best-known for his Emmy-winning television music but who was also a renowned and Grammy-winning big-band jazz leader and arranger, died on Wednesday 25th July of complications from cancer at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California. He was 79.

See a full obituary here

July 2018

The British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum re-opens

After a long period of closure, during which time it has undergone refurbishment and reorganisation, the BRITISH VINTAGE WIRELESS AND TELEVISION MUSEUM
at West Dulwich has now re-opened.

On Saturday August 18th, the Museum will be holding an Open Event, which will include sales, a working display of vintage televisions, and an 'Afternoon of Music' [from recordings] introduced by Tony Clayden, with presentations also by Brian Reynolds and Chris Money.

Full details in our Events section.

May 2018

Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra
May Concert 2018

click above to enlarge

Another twelve months have sped by, and it was time for the 2018 May Bank Holiday concert performed by the Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra, which took place once again in the Gallery of Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, in North London. This house has a long history; it dates from 1582 and was briefly the home of King Charles II 's mistress, the famous (infamous ?) Nell Gwyn, whose ghost is reputed to haunt the building even unto this day !

Uncharacteristically glorious weather encouraged an excellent turnout, including several from the LLMMG (and their guests) and an unexpectedly large number of most welcome 'first-timers', in addition to many loyal 'regulars' – some of whom have supported every single one of these concerts during the last sixteen years.

As one of woefully few contemporary exponents of the Palm Court genre, the orchestra always manages to surprise and delight its audiences with new material, which is continually being added to an already extensive repertoire. This year's programme was no exception, and much of the music was totally new to the players !

Their mission is to feature compositions which have been totally forgotten or ignored, alongside more familiar favourites, and these can range from 'the highlights of the Palm Court era to the delightful but obscure', to quote from their concert programme.

Amongst the roll-call of 'more familiar' composers were to be found the names of Jack Strachey, Vittorio Monti (of Czardas fame), George Gershwin (his opus 1, Rialto Ripples) , Albert Ketelbey, Matyas Seiber, Oscar Straus, Haydn Wood, (who lived for some years in Highgate, quite close to the venue), Gerhard Winkler and Cole Porter.

In addition to the purely instrumental pieces, the proceedings were - as always - enlivened and garnished with some songs from Liz Menezes (who also plays second violin) and Camilla Cutts.

Liz Menezes and Camilla Cutts

As has been remarked upon in the past, the members of the ensemble perform with great competence and enthusiasm, and the Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra can arguably be regarded as one of the very best of its type.

Congratulations and very many thanks are therefore due to Adam Bakker and his players for another splendid and extremely enjoyable afternoon of wonderful music.

© Tony Clayden 2018

Pictures above courtesy of Brian Luck

Footnote – The ADRO will be our guests at the next LLMMG event in October, at our usual venue in Central London - click here for full details.

As part of the Camden Fringe Festival, they are also giving two concerts at Burgh House, Hampstead, North West London, on Sunday 19th August, at 2.30 pm and 7.00 pm - click here for full details.

May 2018

George Melachrino article by Tony Clayden

You can read a new article written by Tony Clayden about the life and work of George Melachrino which is published in the Summer 2018 edition of Memory Lane Magazine and reproduced here by kind permission.

March 2018

Mark Fitz-Gerald concert at 'The British Home'

On the 25th February 2018, light music enthusiasts were in for a treat as it was time for the annual feast of our sort of music given by Mark Fitz-Gerald and his Orchestra as a way of raising funds for 'The British Home' in Streatham, London.

Read the full report

March 2018

Two Light Music programmes coming up on Beyond Radio

Two Light Music shows presented by Stephen York are programmed for Thursdays 12th April and 26th April at 6pm until 8pm on Lancashire's Beyond Radio.

A Two hour show of both light & film music on Thursday 12th April at 6pm. There has been a problem with the online schedule list which makes no mention of the light music show, however it will take place at the above time. 
Including light music from Wally Stott, Cyril Watters, Vivian Ellis, Robert Farnon, Ashworth Hope and others and film music from Ron Goodwin, Jerry Goldsmith, Alfred Newman, John Williams and others.

You can listen online at http://www.beyondradio.co.uk/page/listen-now-9

January 2018

A website dedicated to composer Irving Berlin has been created to mark the 130th anniversary of his birth.

The site is described as the first online, dedicated digital resource for Berlin. He penned more than 1,000 songs, including Alexander’s Ragtime Band and White Christmas.

It includes a section that explores his songs, revealing the stories behind them, and photographs from his life. It also provides details of his work in film and theatre as well as information on books and sheet music that are available to buy.

The site has been created by his family and publishers, Concord Music (North America) and Universal Music Publishing Group.

http://www.irvingberlin.com

January 2018

Friday Night is Music Night - Chichester 2018

BBC Radio 2, Friday 19th January 2018 at 8pm.

Live from the Chichester Festival Theatre - Ken Bruce invites you to take your partners for an evening at the dance. Waltzes, polkas, sambas, tangos, jigs and a grand pas de deux - and you thought Strictly was over! Gavin Sutherland conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra with special guest singers Rebecca Trehearn and Gary Williams.

The programme includes Erik Satie's graceful Gymnopedie No 1; the grandeur of the Emperor Waltz by Johann Strauss; and memories of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Gordon Langford's medley of tunes from Irving Berlin's "Top Hat" . We invite you to stomp your way through the Mexican Hat Dance and clomp your way through Herold's Clog Dance.

January 2018

Radio 2 axes The Organist Entertains and Listen to the Band after 50 years

Radio 2 has axed its long-running shows playing organ and brass band music and given new slots to Jo Whiley and Cerys Matthews in a generational shift at Britain’s most listened-to station. The Organist Entertains, which has been on the network for 50 years, is being "rested" with veteran presenter Nigel Ogden retiring. Theatre organist Ogden, 63, has introduced recordings and live broadcasts of pipe and electronic organs, since 1980.

Nigel says: "I'd like to thank my ever loyal audience for their support and messages during the 38 years I've hosted The Organist Entertains. I've loved hearing from them and send them my very best wishes for the future. I’d also like to thank Radio 2 for giving me the opportunity to play the music I love each week - it has been a huge privilege."

Radio 2 has also axed Listen to the Band, its weekly showcase for brass band and military music, presented by 78 year-old conductor Frank Renton. The programme has existed in various forms on the BBC since the Second World War.

The yearly Young Brass Award will remain as a Friday Night Is Music Night special in April; whilst brass and organ music will be included in Friday Night is Music Night weekly programmes throughout the year. Brass will continue to be heavily featured on a weekly basis in Clare Teal’s Sunday night show, which celebrates big band music.

Frank says: "My 23 years presenting Listen To The Band have been hugely enjoyable, especially playing so much of the music that I love. It has also been an absolute pleasure being part of the Radio 2 family, and I want to thank all those who have listened or contributed to the programme over the years. Of course the next thing on the agenda is the continued celebration of the talent of young British brass players when Ken Bruce and I present the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award in April."