CD REVIEW – ERIC COATES: ORCHESTRAL WORKS, VOL.3
BBC Philharmonic / John Wilson
CHANDOS CHAN 20164 [TT 66:50]

Reviewing Vol.2 in this survey of Coates' works at the height of the pandemic in 2020, I wrote that I was eagerly anticipating further releases (due to Covid-19 likely to be a long time coming). We have had to wait until now for Vol.3, even although it was recorded a year ago. Recognised as the 'Uncrowned King of Light Music', Eric Francis Harrison Coates (died 1957) has no finer interpreter today than John Wilson, again fronting the prestigious Salford-based BBC Philharmonic, which along with other of the Corporation's English orchestras is safe for now from calamitous cuts in their ranks.

This long-awaited release is topped and tailed by two marches: Television March, a Quick March marking the resumption of TV broadcasting in 1946, and Youth of Britain (The Princess Elizabeth) from 'The Three Elizabeths' Suite, one of a trio of longer tracks JW has chosen for this recording. It is a favourite of a lot of people – Richard Bratby's interesting booklet notes describes it as 'one of Coates' most inspired' – and better known outside light music cycles than the somewhat autobiographical 'The Three Men' Suite and 'Cinderella', a Phantasy concentrating here on the folk tale's happy bits.

The programme is completed by what is probably Coates' most popular piece, The Dam Busters March, and two other shorter items unknown to me but not I feel sure to the Coates cognoscenti. These are a reflective orchestral Romance Last Love written in late 1939 amid the apprehension around the start of World War ll; and Sweet Seventeen, a lovely Concert Valse – the last Coates completed in April 1954 – evoked by his first date with his future wife on 6 March 1911, the day before her 17th birthday.

The orchestra led by Helena Wood play beautifully throughout and the customary Chandos sound quality is a given. This is another Wilson winner that will be warmly welcomed.

© Peter Burt, May 2023