A 275th GARLAND OF BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC COMPOSERS
First, two figures who have recently (2002) composed incidental music for BBC radio plays: John Tams, himself an actor, for From Here to Eternity; and David Chilton for the serial adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Cry of the Owl.
Albert Lister Peace (1844-1912) was an organist whose compositions included at least three sonatas for organ, but also lighter works like the Concert Fantasia on Scottish Melodies. A more recent organist (and teacher) is Richard Popplewell, born in Halifax in 1935, whose compositions include a number for the church, but his organ compositions suggest he is in the respected line of organists who have written music in lighter style: a Suite for Organ and the whimsical miniature Puck’s Shadow which briefly quotes On Ilkla Moor Baht’at.
Katherine Parker was born in Australia and at one time even had piano lessons with Percy Grainger. After coming to England she married the distinguished English tenor Hubert Eisdell which may have inspired her to write lightish songs such as Love in Summer, As a Star and Yellow’s the Robe For Honour.
Finally, mentions for Hector Omers, active perhaps in the 1920s,
for his march, The Courageous Boy Scouts and Victor Olof,
whose orchestra, for which he made many arrangements, was a feature of
the 1920s and 1930s.
Philip L Scowcroft
Enquiries to Philip at
8 Rowan Mount
DONCASTER
S YORKS DN2 5PJ
Philip's book 'British Light Music Composers' (ISBN 0903413 88 4) is
currently out of print.
E-mail enquiries (but NOT orders) can be directed to Rob Barnett
at rob.barnett1@btinternet.com
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