Golden Age of Light Music: War & Peace - Light Music of the 1940s

In retrospect, it is clear that the 1940s had a major impact on the way in which Light Music would develop in the remaining years of the 20th Century. The somewhat genteel world in which many composers involved in the genre were living was shattered when World War 2 broke out in September 1939. Although their style of music would still be appreciated, it had to compete with other developments which would invigorate what some believed was a fading niche of the music scene.

A fresh impetus was provided by the likes of David Rose, George Melachrino, Percy Faith, Sidney Torch and Robert Farnon, whose very first composition for Chappell is included in this collection. Notable film scores also rub shoulders with a rare Concerto for Piano and Orchestra - “El Alamein”, composed by Albert Arlen in tribute to the soldiers who fought in north Africa.

Contents:
1. Down The Mall: John Belton, real names Tony Lowry and Douglas Brownsmith (Charles Shadwell and his Orchestra)
2. Stardust: Hoagy Carmichael, arr. Percy Faith (Percy Faith and his Orchestra)
3. Footlights: Eric Coates (Light Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eric Coates)
4. Spitfire Fugue - from the film “The First Of The Few”: William Walton (Hallé Orchestra, conducted by William Walton, Solo Violin: Laurance Turner)
5. A Cocktail Of Happiness: Wynford Reynolds (Wynford Reynolds and his Orchestra)
6. Girls In Grey: Charles Williams (Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, conducted by Charles Williams)
7. Humoresque: Antonin Dvorák (David Rose and his Orchestra)
8. “El Alamein” - Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: Albert Arlen, born Albert Aarons (Jack Payne and his Orchestra, with Peggy Cochrane, piano)
9. On A Spring Note: Sidney Torch, real name Sidney Torchinsky (Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, conducted by Sidney Torch)
10. Boogie Woogie Moonshine from the film “Piccadilly Incident” (Louis Levy and his ‘Music From The Movies’, Pianist Henry Bronkhurst)
11. Voice Of Industry – March: Jack Beaver (The New Century Orchestra, conducted by Sidney Torch)
12. Willie The Whistler: Robert Farnon (Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, conducted by Charles Williams)
13. Starlight Roof Waltz: George Melachrino (The Melachrino Orchestra, conducted by George Melachrino)
14. A Matter Of Life And Death - Prelude from the film: Allan Gray, real name Josef Zmigrod (Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, conducted by Charles Williams)
15. Olympic Games March: Ronald Hanmer (New Century Orchestra, conducted by Sidney Torch)
16. The Fairy And The Fiddlers: Edward White (New Concert Orchestra, conducted by Jay Wilbur)
17. Bonaventure: Frederic Curzon (New Concert Orchestra, conducted by Frederic Curzon)
18. American Serenade: Louis Alter (Meredith Willson and his Orchestra)
19. Marche Fantastique: Leighton Lucas (Leighton Lucas and his Orchestra)
20. Short Overture To An Unwritten Opera: Don Gillis (New Concert Orchestra, conducted by Rae Jenkins)
21. Royal Cavalcade: Albert William Ketèlbey (The Louis Voss Grand Orchestra)
22. Lullaby Of The Bells – Piano Concerto from the film “The Phantom Of The Opera”: Edward Ward (Mantovani and his Concert Orchestra, featuring Guy Fletcher, Piano)