Classical Editor: Rob Barnett
 

Music Webmaster
Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com


LILACS IN THE RAIN, the piano music of REGINALD KING   Alan Cuckston (piano) FEW 128CD

Available from Foxglove Audio.  10 Springwood Road, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BH, UK
Telephone and fax 0113 250 7282,
e-mail foxgloveaudio@btinternet.com.


 

 

This is a collection of eighteen piano pieces with descriptive titles by one of the most gifted composers of English light music of the twentieth century.

King was born in London in 1904 and studied with Henry Farjeon at the Royal Academy of Music. He played at the Proms under Sir Henry Wood and his Piano Concerto was conducted by Sir Alexander MacKenzie.

But his main interest lay both in light music and in entertaining people, and it is true that he had an exceptional gift for melody. He was admired by Billy Mayerl who played some of his pieces which may sound familiar to some people.

Some pieces have a sugary sentimentality that will not please everyone but the jazzy numbers such as Money Spider are far more effective. We have a habanera with In the Shade of the Palms and his so-called 'signature tune' Song of Paradise is a good piece.

I suspect that these impressionistic pieces are somewhat autobiographical such as June Night on the River and the charming portrait of Julia.

It is wonderfully nostalgic of the period but I do not recommend you hear all the pieces at once.

They are played with tremendous enthusiasm and only musical snobs will fail to find something in this collection to please them.

Pass the cucumber sandwiches, Linda.

Reviewer

David Wright

 Performances

Recording

Reviewer

David Wright

 Performances

Recording


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