CD REVIEW – Trevor
DUNCAN
20th Century Express /
Little Suite / Children in the Park
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Penny
Naxos 8.555192 [68:27]

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Trevor Duncan – real name Leonard Charles Trebilco [originally Trebilcock -Ed.] – was a Londoner born in 1924 and lost to us in 2005. He will be best known, especially to oldies like me, for the March from his Little Suite – the signature tune for the 1962-71 TV series of A J Cronin's 'Dr Finlay’s Casebook' – also The Girl from Corsica and Enchanted April, the title tune of another TV programme.

Other noteworthy pieces include High Heels, which set him on his way from BBC music production to becoming a professional composer; Maestro Variations, inspired by Schubert; the longest item, St Boniface Down (7:01) named after an area on the Isle of Wight; La Torrida, commissioned by Monia Liter while working at the music publishers Boosey and Hawkes; The Visionaries Grand March; and Little Debbie, dedicated to his eldest daughter.

The Slovakian musicians provide their customary high standard of playing on the recording made in the Concert Hall of their country's capital Bratislava, with Andrew Penny this time wielding the baton.

Giving added value are extensive exemplary booklet notes by the late David Ades that include a few lines on each of the 19 tracks. It is very interesting to read about the encouragement that Duncan received from one of my all-time light music favourites, Ray Martin.

Trevor, whom I was once privileged to meet, received little formal training but possessed a natural gift for music, and in my opinion was responsible for writing some of the most perfect pieces of their kind ever.

If you did not acquire this album when it was first released on the Marco Polo label in 1993 and do so now, you won’t be disappointed.

© Peter Burt 2022

Tony Clayden adds: As a fellow 'oldie', I can clearly remember back to the late 40s, when Trevor Duncan's first major success – High Heels – 'hit the streets'. I treasure a copy of the 12-inch '78', [Boosey and Hawkes OT 2189], the original recording by the New Concert Orchestra under Jack Leon, which bears the autograph signature of Trevor Duncan. It is framed and proudly hangs on the wall of my lounge-hall.