JUMPING BEAN
Dateline April 2013

It is good to know that James Beyer’s concert with the Edinburgh Light Orchestra last November was a great success. James reports: "It was a most enjoyable occasion and I was extremely delighted with the performance. It was a great evening - everyone played really well and our large audience greatly enjoyed the concert. But above all, we managed to attract an audience of 751 (93% capacity 'house') - our largest for some time! We also presented a cheque for £1000.00 to Marie Curie Cancer Care." The next concert will be on Saturday 25 May at 7:30pm at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh. As usual James will be on the podium, and the ELO’s leader is Lawrence Dunn. Tickets: £10.00; £8.50 and £6.50. For bookings and programme details please telephone 0131 334 3140.

As advertised in our last issue (page 35) Gavin Sutherland will be conducting The Magic of Mantovani Orchestra at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Sunday 14 April at 7:30pm. If you don’t already have your ticket, you can telephone 0844 576 3000. But you’d better be quick – these hugely popular concerts sell out very quickly!

At the beginning of January ITV in Britain (and PBS in the USA) screened the first of ten episodes of "Mr Selfridge" about the American entrepreneur who founded the famous London store. The music immediately impressed, but as usual the credits were squeezed so small that they were impossible to read. Thanks to the internet, the composer was identified as Charlie Mole. He is clearly a talented musician, and someone to look out for in the future. He deserves a full feature in JIM … can any reader oblige?

As a result of the note in the last JIM (page 37) several members tell us that they have ‘discovered’ Radio Six International, which broadcasts a wide range of programmes. Following the death of Gerry Anderson on 26 December, Radio Six MD Tony Currie broadcast a tribute which included music from all the shows associated with the creator of Stingray, Space 1999, UFO and of course Thunderbirds. Before he died, Barry Gray had passed on to Tony some of his precious tapes of music from the many series he worked on, and these provided fascinating listening. It was a superb tribute, and should have been broadcast on the BBC to reach a far wider audience. But it could be heard around the world via the internet, and the added bonus of listening to Radio Six International is that it does not carry advertisements!

RFS member Philip Suffolk compiled an entertaining selection of Robert Farnon’s music for a meeting of the ‘Tuesday Music Group’ in Sutton Coldfield on 22 January. Unfortunately the severe weather conditions on the day forced the event to postponed, and it has now been rescheduled for Tuesday 30 April starting at 1:00pm. The good news is that Philip invites any RFS members within reach of Sutton Coldfield to join him on the day. The Sutton Coldfield Music Group would be pleased to see any of you, as would Philip. The venue is Sutton Coldfield Methodist Chuch, South Parade, Sutton Coldfield, and their meetings are held in Room 2 every fortnight. Philip’s presentation is called "Focus on Farnon" and he will begin with excerpts from Bob’s wartime exploits with the Canadian Band of the AEF, then move on to some of his early BBC broadcasts. Philip’s ‘Journey’ through Bob’s musical career continues through his big hits of the 1940s then focusses on his work with international ‘greats’ including Frank Sinatra, George Shearing and Lena Horne. It promises to be a very entertaining event, and we congratulate Philip on putting together such a well thought-out programme.

Keith Lockhart will be conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra in an attractive programme of British music at London’s South Bank on Friday 7 June at 7:30pm. The concert "The Home Front" will include: Warsaw Concerto (Richard Addinsell); Epic March (John Ireland); Seascape from ‘Western Approaches’ (Clifton Parker); Music from ‘Henry V’ (Walton); ‘Music While You Work’ – sounds of wartime broadcasting; ‘Sincerely Yours’ – music by the Forces’ Sweetheart Vera Lynn. (Thanks to Anthony Wills for this information).

Nigel Burlinson has pointed out that Vocalion catalogues from 2002 to the present date can be viewed and downloaded from the home page on their website – www.duttonvocalion.co.uk

Radio Six International is being mentioned several times in this issue – with good reason … because it regularly carries several programmes for Light Music fans, in addition to "The Golden Age of Light Music". The station’s MD Tony Currie presents his weekly "The Lively Lounge" where you can expect to hear music by the likes of Tony Hatch, Ronald Binge, Herb Alpert, Laurie Johnson, Helmut Zacharias and many similar recording artists from the 1960s onwards – including tracks from production music libraries like De Wolfe and KPM. And RFS member André Leon also crops up weekly with a varied selection of programmes, such as "Sounds Of The Century", "Carry On Crooning" and "André Leon’s Encores". If you have a computer with a broadband connection, you really owe it to yourself to investigate all the internet radio stations out there with some great specialist programmes.

Cyril Watters’ daughter Jill Coward has just launched a new website dedicated to her late father, who was a member of our Society for many years. If you have access to the internet, do visit www.cyrilwatters.com where you can read all about Cyril – both his home life and his impressive list of compositions.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline December 2012

"THE GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC"

is currently being broadcast each Saturday evening at 20:00 GMT on Radio Six International, with a repeat the following Sunday morning. The programmes are compiled and introduced by David Ades, and feature music from the Guild series of Light Music CDs.

Radio Six International can be heard throughout the world via the internet: www.radiosix.com

The Guild "Golden Age of Light Music" series of CDs celebrated its 100^th release in November 2012. For details of the latest collections, please visit the ‘Light Music CDs’ pages of this website, or visit guildmusic.com

Early in August we were in touch with Sam Jackson, Managing Editor of the UK classical music station Classic fm. Naturally the subject of the amount of Light Music played on national radio stations cropped up, and it was encouraging to hear Sam make these comments: "We're big fans of Light Music here, and we love to champion it on-air. There's always at least one Light Music piece on Alan Titchmarsh's Saturday programme (9am-midday) each week, and it forms a regular part of the rest of our output, too." John Brunning’s early evening ‘Drive’ programme presented several tracks from Iain Sutherland’s new CD "In London Town". We know that a number of RFS members get in touch with various radio stations from time to time. Unless they get some kind of feed-back from listeners, the presenters do not know if their audience enjoys what they are playing. It is not a bad idea to occasionally contact them to say "thank-you for playing light music!" Indeed Classic fm did do light music fans proud on Monday 17 September. The previous evening John Wilson conducted the Northern Sinfonia in a concert at the Sage, Gateshead, and Classic fm devoted two hours to it from 8:00pm onwards. Among the familiar works conducted by John were Calling All Workers, Summer Days Suite, Knightsbridge and By The Sleepy Lagoon (Eric Coates), Jumping Bean (Robert Farnon), Sketch Of A Dandy and London Landmarks Suite (Haydn Wood), Nell Gwyn Overture (Edward German), Dusk (Armstrong Gibbs), The Yeoman Of The Guard Overture (Sullivan), Devil’s Galop (Charles Williams) Coronation Scot (Vivian Ellis and Rouge et Noir (Fred Hartley).

The high cost of printing and distributing appreciation society magazines has taken its toll on yet another long established music society. The Spring 2012 issue (received in August) of ‘Pro Musica Sana’, the Miklos Rozsa Society publication which first appeared in 1972, is the last to appear in printed form. Like some others, its future existence will now concentrate on its internet website – www.miklosrozsa.org We are sure that John Fitzpatrick (in the USA) and Alan Hamer (in London) will continue to keep music lovers fully informed about this great composer, whose standing remains as high as ever among admirers of film music.

For those vintage film/documentary lovers amongst us, and we know there are quite a few, the British Council has put 80 of their films on line here :

http://film.britishcouncil.org/british-council-film-collection

Most of them date from wartime and there is some wonderful footage of London and the countryside more generally (some in colour) in many of these films. Some of the soundtrack music will appeal to light music lovers, and the quirkier topics include the origins of the English language, how the British Justice system works, etc. The film "Colour In Clay" has music by Jack Beaver; others feature music by William Alwyn, Richard Addinsell, Ralph Vaughan Williams etc.

Surfing members might also like to visit: http://landofllostcontent.blogspot.fr/search/label/Robert%20Farnon

(Thanks to Nigel Burlinson for this information).

An essential piece of information from Tony Clayden: Did you know that Brian Kay was the lowest ’frog’ on Paul McCartney’s recording of We All Stand Together [The Frogs’ Chorus ] ?

Norman Jackson is a big fan of the Scarborough Spa Orchestra. He tells us that the versatility of the players is amazing, and their library of ‘our kind of music’ is immense. As an example, Norman has sent us just one day’s programme of music performed by the orchestra (musical director Paul Laidlaw). Among over 30 pieces during two shows (at 11:00 am and 7:45 pm) the wide choice of music included Barnacle Bill (Ashworth Hope), Mam’selle Mannequin (Percy Fletcher), Vanity Fair (Anthony Collins), Devil’s Galop (Charles Williams, Jumping Bean (Robert Farnon), Blithlely Along (Paul Fenoulhet), The Girl From Corsica (Trevor Duncan), Penny Whistle Song (Leroy Anderson), Sailing By (Ronald Binge),Samum (Carl Robrecht) and the march Oxford Street (Eric Coates). Some years ago the orchestra was threatened with closure, but thousands of members of the public (Including Norman and his wife) joined forces to protest – and were successful at Keeping it alive. With a repertoire like this, perhaps we should all make a pilgrimage to Scarborough next summer!

For some years Philip Scowcroft’s book "British Light Music" has been out of print. Originally published in 1997 by Thames Publishing, it remains sought-after by light music aficionados and music students alike. The good news is that another publisher is interested in making it available once again. Dance Books Ltd (Southwell House, Isington Road, Binstead, Hampshire, GU34 4PH) are planning to issue a facsimile edition of the original, but Philip will be allowed to make a few amendments and there is likely to be a new cover. He would have preferred to undertake a complete update, and add many more composers, but this is not possible, no doubt for financial reasons. The new edition is likely to cost in the region of £12.50 and we will let you know when it becomes available.

Volume 3 of the British Transport Films Collection contains the 1956 film ‘Making Tracks’. The music haunted me but no details were included in the credits. It seemed to be folk inspired but my guess that it might have been written by Vaughan Williams proved unfounded. I didn’t want to give up and recently discovered that it was taken from Gustav Holst’s Suites Number 1 and 2 which were based on English folk songs. Although first published in 1909 and 1911 respectively, they had just been recorded by Frederick Fennell and the Eastman Wind Ensemble and it is their version which was used on the film. These, along with The Planets, and other pieces are available on the Decca double CD 480 2323. Howard Ripley

We love to tell you about our talented fellow members, and a new book is warmly recommended. "It Shouldn’t Happen To A Teacher" is written by David Franklin, a retired deputy headmaster who kept a diary of incredible but true stories. Written in a highly engaging style and with a cynical irony born of decades of dealing with children, parents and fellow teachers, he has produced a work of both charm and wit, yet full of pathos. Hundreds of anecdotes include losing pupils at Alton Towers and on the Underground in London, catching a band of petty thieves while the Queen was driving past, discovering two pupils sleeping in a school wheelie bin, trying not to laugh when a colleague dressed as a frogman tripped over his flippers in assembly, and many more. Illustrated with several brilliant cartoons by JIM’s own talented artist, Ken Wilkins, this hilarious book will bring a smile to the face of all who remember their school days with affection and makes an ideal stocking filler for both parents and grandparents. For reasons you will understand when you read the book, ‘David Franklin’ is a pen name, and we have been sworn to secrecy regarding his true identity! The book is a softback (160 pages) published by Bretwalda Books Ltd - ISBN 978-1-909099-15-9, price £7.99. As a special offer to RFS members, the author has asked Peter Worsley (of ‘This England’ and ‘Evergreen’ magazines) to handle sales for him at a special price of ONLY £6 (which includes UK p&p) or £11 for two books. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, act quickly (supplies are limited!) and send a cheque, payable to P.R. Worsley, direct to him at Karakorum, Sunnyfield Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 6JE, England.

In the notes accompanying the first volume of ‘Great British Composers’ (GLCD5195) the true identity of the conductor ‘Eric Johnson’ was the subject of speculation. Reference was made to researches on the internet which pointed to the likelihood of ‘Johnson’ being Dr Kurt List, but thanks to further investigations by music academics, prompted by Guild’s CD, it appears that the recordings were not made in London, but in the Mozart-Saal of the Vienna Konzerthaus between May and July 1960 by the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. The conductor of the Eric Coates recordings was Josef Leo Gruber, a violinist with the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra. He conducted the Vienna State Opera Orchestra for several Westminster recordings, when this orchestra comprised musicians from its own members and also those of the Volksoper Orchestra. The recordings were produced by Kurt List, the Music Director for New York-based Westminster Records. Thanks to Andrew Lamb for this information.

The thorny subject of the raising of sound copyright from 50 to 70 years in the EU is continuing to concern many members, who realise that their hopes that more light music from the mid-1960s might be made available once more are likely to be dashed. Alan Bunting is in regular correspondence with the Intellectual Property Office regarding the UK’s response, and it seems that the Government plans to implement the legislation in the autumn of 2013. This means that recordings from 1963 onwards will no longer be available to independent record companies to reissue, unless they pay the large fees demanded by the major companies to license the material. But the preparatory work on the legislation is throwing up all kinds of problems regarding implementation, as we predicted in JIM. If similar difficulties over interpretation are being experienced by all the other EU countries which have this matter forced upon them, goodness only knows what the outcome will be. If Alan can make any sense of future developments, he promises to pass them on to us!

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline September 2012

John Wilson’s latest CD for EMI is due to be released on 1 October. It features music from the film versions of five of their top shows, originally produced on Broadway. For more details please see page 54 of this issue. The John Wilson Orchestra will take the new Rodgers & Hammerstein album on tour in the autumn and will play the following dates in Britain: 

October 20 Birmingham Symphony Hall 
October 22 Leeds Town Hall 
October 23 Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Hall 
October 24 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 
October 25 Gateshead The Sage 
October 26 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall 
October 27 Brighton Dome 
October 29 London Royal Festival Hall 
October 30 London Royal Festival Hall 
November 1 Cardiff St David’s Hall 
November 5 Manchester Bridgewater Hall

Our friends in the Light Music Society regularly hold a series of events over a weekend in late summer, including a concert where its members form an orchestra under conductor Gavin Sutherland, who also happens to be the LMS Chairman! This year they have moved the event from its usual Lancashire venue down to Cambridge, over the weekend 22-23 September. On the Saturday LMS members will be participating in an Orchestral Play-Day which commences at 9:30am and continues until 5:00pm. The orchestra will be led by Shelley van Loen. Members will then have a short break before Dinner at the Royal Cambridge Hotel. (These events are subject to advance booking). On Sunday there will be an afternoon Concert by the Cambridge Concert Orchestra at 3:00pm where everyone is invited to attend.

Our RFS member, Ron Hare, has written and prepared an excellent background piece on fellow RFS member Frank Comstock. It appears on Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Comstock (or simply search Google for ‘Frank Comstock’. Forrest Patten’s interview with Frank that originally appeared in JIM is also available on the Robert Farnon Society website.

Around two years ago David Ades was asked to assist the Imperial War Museum in recreating the original music that Rosie Newman chose to accompany her film shows, especially during and immediately following the Second World War. Alan Bunting also assisted by digitally remastering the original discs that were rediscovered in recent years, and the results appeared towards the end of last year in the DVD "Rosie Newman’s Britain At War in Colour" issued by Strike Force Entertainment in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum. The Federation Of Commercial Audio Visual Libraries (FOCAL) staged its 2012 International Awards in London on 2 May, and the Rosie Newman DVD won the Award for ‘Best Use of Footage in a Home Entertainment Release’. The DVD contains some amazing colour sequences from an era normally only shown in black and white. The film can be viewed as originally presented by Rosie Newman with the music soundtrack. It can also be seen with the music plus a commentary taken from Rosie’s writings. As a bonus feature there is a short documentary explaining how the DVD was prepared, including the restoration of the music soundtrack.

Serge Elhaik contacts us from France to tell us that he is enjoying his retirement, and putting it to good use! He writes: "I have finished for Marianne Melodie a CD of Paul Mauriat with 5 rare instrumentals of the 50s and the early 60s, together with 19 songs backed by Paul for various singers. Some are very popular singers, others are more obscure, and that is a collection which will please, I hope, the keen followers of Paul." Serge also hopes that he can devote more time to adding to his impressive list of books: he is currently thinking about a new project about French popular music.

The Edinburgh Light Orchestra, under its conductor James Beyer, is currently enjoying its 35^th Anniversary Year, and its Spring concert on Saturday 26 May was a great success. Their next concert is on Saturday 3 November – as usual at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh commencing at 7:30, when the soloist with the orchestra will be the soprano Elizabeth McKeon. Programme details were not available as we went to press, but these are probably on the orchestra’s website by now - www.edinburghlightorchestra.moonfruit.com RFS members are also welcome to contact James Beyer direct at edinlo@aol.com or by telephone – 0131 334 3140.

RFS member – and distinguished light music composer - Paul Lewis is now well advanced with work on From Armchair Theatre to "Woof!" by Way of Benny Hill - Memoirs of a Media Composer, an autobiography for Kaleidoscope Publishing. This is an anecdotal account of Paul's life, from childhood as the son of a half-Russian violinist mother, one of a generation of professional musicians, through teenage years avoiding Music College by working for music publishers (including Paxtons in Dean Street, Soho), his time as Assistant Musical Adviser to ABC TV at Teddington Studios and his subsequent freelance composing career. The book will be profusely illustrated and will include a CD of extracts from some of Paul's earliest Armchair Theatre scores and the first TV production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1967. More recently Paul enchanted children and their parents alike with his superb musical accompaniments for the ITV series Woof! which was so popular in the 1990s, and has been seen in many countries around the world. Each show (about the boy who could become a dog - and then a boy again!) had its own specially composed music score, played by musicians such as Tommy Reilly - something that would seem unimaginable for a children's drama series today. Publication of Paul's autobiography is scheduled for Spring 2013 to coincide with his 70th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his first TV credit. Other commitments permitting, Paul is hoping to renew friendships with fellow RFS members at our London meeting next May.

Joe DePaola contacted us from Texas to report that his local classical radio station WRR101 played two tracks from Robert Farnon’s Reference Recordings CD in June: A La Claire Fontaine and A Promise of Spring. It is a pity that these performances by Bob conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are not heard more often.

Our committee member Brian Reynolds tends to hide his light under a bushel! From time to time he had mentioned that he has composed the ‘odd piece of music’, and we knew that Frank Chacksfield had included one of Brian’s works Souvenir de Montmartre occasionally in his BBC radio programmes. Just recently Brian confided in us that he had been surprised (and no doubt delighted) to discover that Frank had included this piece on one of his Decca LPs in the late 1960s. A recent letter to the Editor reveals that Brian’s composing activities have been far more extensive than he has previously revealed! He writes: "You may be interested to know that the Invicta Concert Band from Kent has approached me with an offer to make a complete CD of my compositions! The idea came from the band musicians (some of whom are RFS members) and has been approved by both the conductor and the Band Chairman. It's early days yet, but I hope it will come to fruition in the next few months. As the band ask me to conduct something at most of their concerts, I shall probably conduct one or two pieces on the CD. I recall approaching the Life Guards band with this idea years ago but was told (quite rightly) that my name would mean nothing to anyone and my pieces would not be familiar. I put the same argument to the Invicta band, but they would not hear of it and told me – ‘People like good tunes, and you compose good tunes’. So, as they say, - watch this space! Incidentally, I have found four of my pieces on 'Spotify' including Elizabethan Tapestry which I was asked to compose for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1975. Also, to my astonishment, I found my Souvenir de Montmartre from the Frank Chacksfield Orchestra! I had no idea that he'd ever commercially recorded it, although he often broadcast it!" As soon as we learn more about the proposed CD of Brian’s music, we will certainly give full details in JIM.

James Beyer recently sent us a cutting from ‘Projections’ – a privately published magazine for film (and DVD) collectors. The short feature relates that the notorious criminal and serial murderer John Christie was a film buff. He particularly admired Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo, so he must surely have seen "Captain Horatio Hornblower, RN" in which they both starred. But Christie’s cinema-going days were numbered. Soon after he would have seen the film (and presumably enjoyed Robert Farnon’s stirring music) three of Christie’s victims were discovered in his former flat at 10 Rillington Place. He was hanged at Pentonville Prison on 15 July 1953.

RFS member/composer John McLain tells us that the renowned theatre organist Len Rawle, MBE, has recorded four of his marches, and John’s novelty piece The Wedding Train is now in Len’s performance repertoire. UK members may remember that Len appeared many years ago in the outstanding BBC documentary "Metroland" where he played the organ at his home in Chorleywood to an appreciative Sir John Betjeman.

In June BBC Four in the UK screened a short documentary series called "London on Film". The first programme was about the West End, and a short sequence showing Piccadilly Circus was taken from the 1950s colour travel film "This Is London", with Robert Farnon’s music clearly heard behind Rex Harrison’s commentary.

Paul Barnes (who presents one of the best popular music shows on BBC Radio in the East Anglia region) did his usual birthday tribute to Bob Farnon in his late-night Saturday programme on 21 July. Paul has recently interviewed John Wilson for Saga magazine. He told us at the end of July: "I interviewed JW (he was kind enough to say it was the best interview he’d ever done), and I sat in on a recording session for the new Rodgers/Hammerstein album at Abbey Road. I also interviewed Andrew Haveron, Matt Skelton and Mike Lovatt. Saga went to town with the photography and they tell me that words and pictures make for a great spread. I think it’s scheduled for the August edition, which means that it should appear any time about now. Of course, Saga is available on subscription only, but it has sales in excess of 600,000, and a readership of about three times that."

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline June 2012

JUMPING BEAN

If you haven’t done so already, do make a point of visiting our President’s new website www.davidfarnon.com (there is a direct link from the home page of our own site). Before you do anything else, click on ‘Credits’ at the top of the page. You will be amazed at the number of times David’s music has been used all over the world. He now devotes himself exclusively to composition, and one of his latest projects is an Operatic Love Duet, for Soprano, Tenor and Orchestra.

During the compilation of Guild ‘Golden Age of Light Music’ CDs, David Ades and Alan Bunting take great care in trying to identify the composers and – where possible – the arrangers. Often emails go back and forth before decisions are finally made, and a recent message from Alan to David illustrates the problems they encounter! "While preparing the updated Composer listings I noticed that we had a discrepancy regarding the composer of Spanish Gypsy Dance. We have him as Mariano Marquina and Pasqual Marquina. After some thorough checking I discovered, much to my surprise, that his correct name is Pascual Marquina Narro. While I think we can regard Pascual and Pasqual as more or less the same thing, I had always believed his surname was Marquina as indeed it is on all the record labels I have seen. But Wikepedia and numerous scans of sheet music on the WEB clearly say Narro is his last name. However, ASCAP lists him as Pascual Narro Marquina and I found one entry which says the piece is ‘composed by Pascual Marquina Narro as Pascual Narro-Marquina’! No wonder getting things right is so difficult - if anyone asks me who wrote it I shall continue to answer simply ‘Marquina’!" Another problem that Alan didn’t mention is that it is not unusual for names of composers to be omitted entirely on American records. An added complication is variations in spelling. Titles with Gypsy can also appear as Gipsy, but that’s another matter!

André Leon has commissioned David Ades to provide 24 one-hour programmes for UK LightRadio. Twelve will feature recordings from "The Golden Age of Light Music" using the Guild CDs. The other twelve are in a series called "Journey Into Melody" which covers light music from many different sources. As we go to press, two of the "Journey Into Melody" programmes have already been broadcast on Radio Six International on Sunday afternoons. Other ‘friends of the RFS’ who have also been heard at this time (in syndicated UK Light Radio productions) include Brian Kay, Philip Farlow and Brian Reynolds. Radio Six International is available world-wide via the internet. Its programmes are also taken by numerous small local stations in the UK, USA and even New Zealand.

Andrew Lamb has recently published a bicentenary biography of William Vincent Wallace (1812-65), world traveller, virtuoso pianist and violinist, and composer of the once highly popular British operas Maritana and Lurline. The 237 pages of "William Vincent Wallace – Composer, Virtuoso and Adventurer" include 30 illustrations, and this paperback volume is available from usual retailers for £30. [ISBN 978 0 9524149 7 1]. It can also be purchased for £20 post-free (UK) direct from the author at 1 Squirrel Wood, West Byfleet, KT14 6PE, United Kingdom Tel. (+44) (0)1932 342566. e-mail: andrewmlamb@gmail.com Your sterling cheque should be payable to ‘Andrew Lamb’. This is just the latest in an impressive list of titles from the same author, which include biographies on Henry Russell, Harry Fragson, Leslie Stuart and the Offenbach Family.

The Winter 2012 edition of "Freedom Today", the quarterly magazine of The Freedom Association, included an edited version of Alan Bunting’s article on Sound Copyright, which was published in Journal Into Melody last December. "Freedom Today" circulates among the major ‘shakers and movers’ in the British establishment, and it is to be hoped that the JIM article will alert them to the downside of the European Union’s directive. It is probably too late to expect a change of heart, although the proposals do not become legally binding until all EU states have ratified them; at the time of writing this has not yet happened.

There will be a swinging evening of jazz with the Nicola Farnon Trio on Wednesday 11 July at St Marys Church, Elsworthy Road, Primrose Hill, London NW3 3DJ. Featuring Nicola on piano and double bass, Piero Tucci on piano & teno sax and Phil Johnson on drums. This is a rare chance to hear Nicola (Robert Farnon's niece) in London. Tickets are £5 (£4 concessions) and can be obtained by email on office@smvph.org.uk, by ringing Celyn on 020 722 3238 or at the door on the night. Licensed bar.

It seems that Tony Bennett still has an endless supply of energy, for which his countless fans are eternally grateful. This year he is undertaking what would be a punishing schedule of performances for any singer, let alone one in his eighties. After tours in Australia and Europe he will be at several prestigious venues in the UK this summer, notably Symphony Hall, Birmingham – 24 June; Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow – 25 June; Liverpool Empire – 27 June; the Royal Albert Hall in London on 30 June and 1 July; and the Palace Theatre, Manchester, on 3 July. Thanks to Mark Fox for keeping us informed.

André Leon missed our May London meeting this year, because he flew back to his original home in Johannesburg on 26 April. He writes: "During the time away I'll be celebrating my 50th Year in Broadcasting. It was in 1962 that the Natal Mercury in Durban wrote a half-page column In The Mood for Mood Music. ‘The Idler’ wrote the article about my unusual hobby of collecting signature tunes! (Now 50 years on I'm letting them know what's happened in-between!). The article led to an offer from a radio production Company, Herrick Merrill Radio Productions. They made programmes for SABC's National Commercial Service.... ‘Springbok Radio’. A year later I joined LM Radio, then on to the SABC in Johannesburg. I came to England in 1969 and found that the BBC was not exactly waiting for me!! But I've managed to make a few useful contributions since, and found good luck at Invicta Radio, Capital and later Classic fM! A few years at Decca Records, Carlin Music and Boosey & Hawkes and the rest (in a nutshell) is History! How nice, also to be involved with the Robert Farnon Society. And hopefully a future place will be found also for.... UKLightRadio! Where I'll be concentrating in early July to make more programmes. Next schedules via Radio Six International is now planned for August (Autumn season)." André Leon returns to London on 21 June.

We are sorry to learn that two more long-established music appreciation societies have recently closed down. The Dick Haymes and Glenn Miller societies have joined a growing list, indicating that younger music lovers are now seemingly unaware of the great musical heritage that is in danger of being neglected in future. Happily there are exceptions, and our friends in the Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby societies are still going strong. It is particularly sad that the Glenn Miller Society has closed down, because the Robert Farnon (Appreciation) Society had strong links with them back in the 1950s, through people like the late Geoffrey Butcher who was a walking encyclopaedia on Miller’s music.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline March 2012

THE LATEST TONY BENNETT CHRISTMAS ALBUM

News of the latest repackaged reissue of Tony Bennett Christmas Music did not reach us until the end of November, which was far too late to catch our December issue. This was a pity, because it is an attractive collection, which features some fine tracks that Tony recorded with Robert Farnon.

The following numbers come from that great "Snowfall" LP, first released in 1968: My Favourite Things; The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire); I Love The Winter Weather/I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm; Winter Wonderland; White Christmas

There are also some arrangements that Robert Farnon did for Tony’s Hallmark CD that appeared in 2002. This time the London Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Don Jackson, and a choir was added to Bob’s scores – not entirely to his liking: Deck The Halls; O Little Town of Bethlehem; O Come All Ye Faithful; Silent Night.

Other tracks feature Tony singing arrangements by Bill Holman, Torrie Zito, Jorge Calandrelli, Lee Musiker and a previously unreleased What Child Is This (Greensleeves) arranged by Marion Evans.

The catalogue number is RPM Recordings / Columbia / Legacy 88697 955762. You might like to order a copy now to save for next Christmas, but maybe yet another Tony Bennett collection of reissues may come along later this year?!

It seems that Tony Bennett is never out of the news, and last September he received a lot of publicity for the release of "Tony Bennett: The Complete Collection", issued to commemorate his 85th birthday. It comprises 73 CDs and could cost you around £260 in the UK if you shop wisely! Undoubtedly good value at £3.56 a disc, provided that it doesn’t duplicate too much of your existing collection. The bonus, of course, is the inclusion of everything he has done with Robert Farnon, some of it previously unobtainable on CD.

THE BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2012

BBC Radio 2 is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the famous BBC Concert Orchestra with an 11-part series of "Friday Night Is Music Night". From Friday 20 January until late in March, Ken Bruce is hosting a well-deserved tribute to one of the most famous radio orchestras in the world, broadcast on Radio 2 at 8:00pm.. Hailed as "a worthy instrument" presenting a "brilliant new era of entertainment music", they made their first broadcast on 11 September 1952. But their story began 20 years before, when they were known as the BBC Theatre Orchestra (conductor Leslie Woodgate), whose main role was to provide incidental music for radio plays, but who also gave light music and opera concerts. In 1949 for a few years they were renamed the BBC Opera Orchestra, conducted by Stanford Robinson. The series of eleven programmes features a different archive show each week, with performances from light music giants Sidney Torch, Vilem Tausky, Robert Farnon, Eric Coates and others. There are also performances with famous singers and soloists who have appeared with the orchestra, and interviews with players and conductors. Today the BBC Concert Orchestra is widely praised for its regular broadcasts on radio (both Radio 2 and Radio 3), its appearances at prestigious events such as the BBC Promenade Concerts, and its continually growing number of superb compact discs.

Once again Edinburgh’s music lovers will soon be treated to some of the finest light music, courtesy of RFS member James Beyer, conductor of the Edinburgh Light Orchestra. The next Concert will be on Saturday 26th May 2012 at the usual venue - The Queen's Hall, commencing at 7:30. The booking office opens on 26 March – Queen’s Hall booking hotline 0131 668 2019; bookings direct from Edinburgh Light Orchestra 0131 334 3140. Ticket prices range from £9.50 to only £6.00 – an absolute bargain these days! More on the orchestra’s website: www.edinburghlight orchestra.moonfruit.com. Guest soloist will be the Baritone Bruce Graham who is an old friend of James. Bruce was born and educated in Edinburgh and played in many local amateur productions before beginning his professional career in 1978. He joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company with whom he played many of the Gilbert and Sullivan character roles. Since his spell with the D’Oyly Carte, Bruce has appeared in a number of shows in London’s West End, such as ‘Me and My Girl’ and ‘Cats’. Other aspects of Bruce’s work have ranged from film and television to Old Time Music Hall and pantomime; and he has appeared all over the world as a principal with the Carl Rosa Opera Company.

Tony Bennett was interviewed by Aidin Vaziri for the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday 11 December 2011. We repeat below one of the questions, and Tony’s reply:

Q: Barring the present moment, do you have a favorite Tony Bennett era?

A: Wow, that is a tough question. I loved the time I lived in London in the '70s, as I got to work with the master Robert Farnon.

Our thanks to Forrest Patten for sending this to JIM.

Colin Berry did Light Music fans proud on his BBC Three Counties Radio shows over the Christmas period. He made good use of the Guild ‘Christmas Celebration’ CD. On Christmas Eve his listeners heard Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Boston Pops), It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (Billy Vaughn), Christmas Alphabet (George Melachrino) and Nazareth (Mantovani). For his Christmas Day show Colin selected Christmas Sleigh Bells (Angela Morley) and Sleigh Ride (Boston Pops).

Last Christmas we didn’t get another TV show from the John Wilson Orchestra like "Swingin’ Christmas" in 2010, but we did enjoy a repeat of the "Hooray for Hollywood" Prom and a semi-documentary about great Hollywood dancers that included some fascinating glimpses of John recording the music in the famous Studio 2 at Abbey Road. The subject of the 90-minute programme (first shown on BBC 2, then repeated a few days later on BBC Four immediately before John’s Prom) was the famous ballerina Darcey Bussell who stepped into the shoes of her Hollywood heroes to celebrate the enduring legacy of classic dance musicals. To quote from the BBC’s own publicity: "In the age of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Streetdance 3D’, Darcey, one of Britain's greatest living dancers and Hollywood musical superfan, discovers that the key to understanding where this dance-mad culture comes from lies in classic movie musicals. She takes famous dance routines from her favourite Hollywood musicals and reveals how they cast their spell, paying tribute to the legends of the art form and discovering the legacy they left. Darcey pays homage to Fred Astaire in an interpretation of Puttin' on the Ritz; plays Ginger Rogers in a rendition of Cheek to Cheek; pays tribute to the exuberant Good Morning from ‘Singin' in the Rain’; and stars in a new routine inspired by Girl Hunt Ballet from ‘The Band Wagon’. Darcey works with leading choreographer Kim Gavin and expert conductor John Wilson, who has painstakingly reconstructed the original scores, as she discovers how dance in the movies reached a pinnacle of perfection and reveals how the legacy of the golden age lives on."

Readers with internet access will know that there are many interesting sites out there at the click of a mouse. Nigel Burlinson has recently discovered that the 1945 film "I Live In Grosvenor Square" is available to watch at http://goo.gl/cnhhu. (Alternatively just visit YouTube and type in the title of the film). This was the film that featured Robert Farnon and the Canadian Band of the AEF, and it could be said to have firmly launched his working partnership with Anna Neagle and Herbert Wilcox. Only a few years later this produced "Spring In Park Lane", one of the most successful British movies of the last century.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline December 2011

Back in June (JIM 188, page 11) we wished our good friend Nick Farries well in his future endeavours, following the sale of Carlin Music. At our recent London meeting we learned from David Farnon that Nick is setting up again in London, and David’s son Tom is also getting involved with him. Nick has promised to let us know more about his exciting plans next year!

In our last issue Jim Palm asked if anyone knew the date of a broadcast in celebration of Sidney Torch’s 80^th birthday (page 18). David Daniels was quick off the mark with the information that the date was 10 July 1988 – around six weeks after his actual birthday which was 5 June.

Boosey & Hawkes Production Music has now been rebranded as Imagem Production Music. Their address is still: Alywych House, 71-91 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4HN.

In David Ades’ report of his "Light Fantastic" experiences in our last issue (page 64) he mentioned I Concentrate On You which had been arranged by Robert Farnon. We have now learned that this did not come from the libraries of Ted Heath or Geraldo, but was one of two scores that Bob did for the publishers – it was intended that there would be a whole series of such numbers, but in the event only two were completed.

Many readers will have discovered Brian Reynolds' website http://www.mastersofmelody.co.uk/ which gives accounts of the careers of many musical directors, often accompanied by actual radio programmes by their orchestras, to which you can listen. Now Brian has a YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/MastersofMelody1 which features hundreds of his video recordings made at bandstands - brass bands, military bands and a considerable amount of light orchestral material from three orchestras which used to play on bandstands until fairly recently. Of particular interest to members of this society will be Romando and his Gypsy Orchestra whose vast repertoire of music from the turn of the last century to the early sixties will reveal many long forgotten delights. In similar vein are the repertoires of the Ladies' Palm Court Orchestra (Ann Adams) and the London Theatre Orchestra (Peter Civil). You can either type the names of these orchestras in to Google or go to the above URL and type the orchestra/ band name into the search box, whereupon you will have all their videos at your fingertips. There is everything from the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band and the Grenadier Guards to the Charleston Chasers!

Andre Leon, boss of UK LightRadio is still working to hard to launch his internet radio station on a permanent basis, and his latest press release announces further progress. From 6 November two hours of UKLR output have been broadcast by Radio Six International on Sunday afternoons, from 4:00pm GMT onwards. Hopefully these will still be available by the time this magazine is published; the site to visit is– www.radiosix.com

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline September 2011

Alan Willmott was delighted with the recent Dutton Epoch CD of film music by Doreen Carwithen (reviewed on page 59 of our last issue). She was the wife of William Alwyn and, although many of her film scores were for dramatic subjects, she also wrote the music for the British Transport Films travelogue "East Anglian Holiday" in 1954. Alan (who worked for British Transport Films) reckons that he must have screened it about 150 times, and it remains one of his particular favourites for its melodious score. Some years ago Alan mentioned this film to Philip Lane, who has reconstructed the score for this CD by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Sutherland. Alan is still active in documentary film circles: The London Film School of the University College of London is making a documentary about his work with the British Rail Cinema Coaches, and later this year Alan is planning presentations about Hammer Films (1957-1972) with a tribute to the late Ingrid Pitt, who he had the pleasure of meeting at various times. Music composers James Bernard, Malcolm Williamson and Harry Robinson will also be featured.

Brian Reynolds visited the Chelsea Flower Show on 27 May - but not to admire the flowers! He tells us: "I went to the Chelsea Flower Show primarily to hear one of the daily concerts by the band of the Guards Association. You'll be pleased to know that they played Robert Farnon's Jumping Bean. They had apparently only bought it a couple of days ago and, despite sight reading it, gave a very good performance to an audience of hundreds! Some of the parts had been reduced to the point of being barely legible, to get the music on one page - and the principal clarinet came over to me, exclaiming ‘How am I expected to read this - it's so small!’ Light music was clearly alive and well in Chelsea as there were quite a few pieces of light music in the concert, such as Jack Strachey's In Party Mood, Jack Coles' Mexican Serenade and Frederic Curzon's Robin Hood Suite."

The jury is still out regarding the BBC TV documentary "The Joy of Easy Listening", screened on BBC Four in May. David Ades had chatted with the producer the previous February, and he had gained the impression that the programme makers were unsure how light music should be mentioned – if at all. Apparently the first version of the show did try to place light music as part of the general popular music scene of the post-war period, but this section was later consigned to the cutting room floor. The documentary did pick up on the fact that "easy listening" began in the 50s with light orchestral music but skated over this period. Nevertheless Percy Faith got a good screening even thought it compared his appearance to that of a bank manager! Of Robert Farnon there was no mention alas, although Portrait Of A Flirt was heard at one point, but not identified. As Colin Mackenzie commented to us: "what do you expect when you have a plonker like Joseph Lanza involved in the early part of it? I took him to task in my Mantovani book about a couple of serious Mantovani errors he had made in his less than classic 1994 volume ‘Elevator Music’, but here he was again, this time telling us that it was Paul Weston who was the catalyst for all the orchestral music of the 50s. It's news to me. It was an irritating, rather condescending programme which tried to cover too much ground in an hour and a half, but there was some quite good footage of some old favourites. Mantovani even made an all too brief cameo at the start and, curiously, Charmaine was played as background to a film of 1960s rioting!" A highly respected BBC radio producer told Journal Into Melody that he found himself frequently shouting "NO!" at the screen in response to some of the comments from so-called ‘experts’. It is good that the BBC is trying to make its audience aware of something other than the classics or rock’n’roll, but "The Joy of Easy Listening" was merely a frothy 90 minutes which was enjoyable to watch for much of the time, but lost its way when it tried to be factual. Let’s hope that someone will one day make a series of television documentaries about light music that concentrates on the real composers and conductors who were involved, and ignores the likes of Englebert Humperdinck, James Last and The Carpenters. The 2005 BBC production "A Little Light Music" (expertly narrated by Brian Kay) was a good example of how light music can be covered in a television documentary, in a highly enjoyable and factually accurate manner. But this is such a wide subject that one occasional programme can only scratch the surface.

A record label in Japan has bought 20 tracks from Reader’s Digest to produce a CD of recordings by Rosemary Squires. No doubt they will include some of the marvellous arrangements that Angela Morley (then working as Wally Stott) did for her. There are still many collectors in Japan who enjoy quality popular music from 40-odd years ago, and Rosie’s CD should sell very well.

BBC Radio 3’s "Live In Concert" on Friday 10 June treated listeners to a superb programme of film music played by the BBC Philharmonic from their new studio in the BBC’s growing Salford complex. Conductor Robert Ziegler concentrated mainly on films from the USA, with John Williams’ Star Wars, Korngold’s Adventures of Robin Hood, Herrmann’s Taxi Driver and Vertigo, Elfman’s Batman and Badalamenti’s Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks and Fire Walk With Me. From Italy we heard a suite based on Nino Rota’s memorable themes for La Strada. But can anyone at the BBC explain why such a concert was broadcast at the same time as "Friday Night Is Music Night" on Radio 2? Goodness knows there are few opportunities to enjoy music like this on the radio these days, so why cannot those in charge of the schedules ensure that clashes like this do not happen. But there was a bonus! As well as being available the following week on the usual ‘Listen Again’ facility via the BBC website, UK viewers with Freeview who happened to tune in to channel 301 during the following week were treated to TV pictures of excerpts from the concert, screened at various times from 6:00am in the morning and repeated until the evening. This isn’t the first time that a radio concert has appeared unannounced in a TV version, so it is always worth wondering what may be lurking when you press the red button!

British members will be familiar with the magazine ‘Evergreen’. Anthony Wills writes to say that the summer edition has a feature on the popular vocal group The Stargazers, founded by Dick James in 1949, who in addition to a prolific career on radio became the first British group to top the British record charts in April 1953 with Broken Wings. There are also brief mentions of The Keynotes, The Johnston Brothers and The Cliff Adams Singers. A CD (C135) containing tracks recorded by The Keynotes and The Stargazers can obtained from Evergreen, PO Box 52, Cheltenham, GL50 1YQ for £9.95 inc. p & p (telephone 01242 515156 for credit card purchases). Evergreen is rather a good read. It is the size of the old Reader’s Digest magazine and comes out 4 times a year, price £3.75 (UK).

The letter from Sidney Torch reproduced in our last issue prompted American organist Lew Williams to send us a cutting from the Daily Mirror which reported that Torch had suffered an accident at the end of a performance in 1940 at the Gaumont State Theatre, Kilburn. Under a banner headline TRAPPED BY ORGAN – PLAYED ON the report stated that Sidney had trapped his foot between the steel-plated stage and his half-ton organ as it rose so that he could take a bow. This was at the end of his recital, but he simply bowed to the audience as usual and pressed a button to lower the organ which released his crushed foot. He then collapsed, saying "Look what I’ve done" and was taken to Willesden General Hospital, where it was discovered that he had broken a big toe and others were crushed. He was unable to play again for several weeks, and told the newspaper: "To think I’ve been going up and down on that organ for two and a half years and now this happens. I should have been used to it by now!" Lew says that it was the only organ he played regularly that had a turntable lift. The space allotted for the console lift was very small; indeed, the console had to be built to very narrow specifications. It sat on the turntable, and there wasn't space for a proper organ bench. A "Howard Seat" (two oblong pads to sit on, supported by a steel pipe anchored into an iron plate which slid under the backside of the pedal board) had to suffice. Lew used to think that the story might have been apocryphal, as it was long a part of cinema organ legend: "Oh, Sid caught his foot, that's why he stopped playing, etc." Torch himself never spoke of this event to anyone, as far as Lew knows. He tells us: "I myself played Kilburn in 1987, but by then, the console had been repositioned from the far right side of the pit to just under the chamber openings. One heard it much more clearly in that spot. Perhaps you know that Torch had a small speaker installed in the centre of the music rack. A feed from a microphone placed in front of the chambers enabled him to hear the organ more clearly, despite the considerable distance from the chambers across the auditorium." Lew Williams was a friend of Angela Morley when she was living in Scottsdale, and she used to visit to hear him play. He says: "Fortunately, the crowds keep coming to Organ Stop where I play, so the downturn in the economy hasn't really affected us at all. I guess it's a blessing to be able to work in Light Music in times such as these."

In the booklet notes with the recent Guild CD "Bright and Breezy", mention is made of the few discrete passages in "South Of The Alps" where an organ is heard. This is usually absent in later recordings, where woodwinds often take over the organ passages. Ralph Harvey has confirmed to us that the organist on these 1937 German HMV 78s is actually the composer of the suite, Ernst Fischer. He used the pseudonym ‘Marcel Palotti’ for his organ recordings, many of which were once available in Britain on Parlophone.

Debbie Wiseman MBE will be conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a special festive concert in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign – "The Magic of Christmas". This takes place on Sunday 4 December at London’s Cadogan Hall, commencing at 3:30 pm. Debbie will be joined by presenter Simon Bates, and special guests Nigel Havers, Cherie Lunghi, George Layton, James Loynes, Gary Lineker and Sir Bobby Charlton. The magical programme will be suitable for all the family, with Christmas favourites such as The Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride and White Christmas alongside Debbie Wiseman’s own lyrical setting of Oscar Wilde’s fairy story The Selfish Giant. Telephone bookings - 020 7730 4500; online bookings – www.cadoganhall.com

We continue to receive comments from readers in praise of Angel Radio, which is based in the south of England. If you are on the south coast roughly between West Sussex and East Dorset you may be able to receive it on your digital radio, but if you have internet access visit www.angelradio.co.uk. It was the first community radio station to be honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Many hospital radios also benefit from tireless volunteers, and our committee member Chris Money is involved with Radio St Helier, at the St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey. In the past Chris has interviewed John Fox on his regular Light Music programme.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline June 2011

If you fancy a weekend by the sea, and at the same time enjoy some light music, Morecambe is the place to be at the beginning of September. The late summer weekend organised by The Light Music Society is now a well established part of Britain’s light music scene, and each year it seems to get better. On Saturday 3 September the Society will hold its Annual General Meeting at Heysham Methodist Church at 11:00am, followed by lunch. At 2:00pm the LMS Orchestra will be rehearsing (members can observe) and there will be a talk and exhibition of Light Music Memorabilia. In the evening a Festival Dinner will be held at the Clarendon Hotel, Morecambe at which the guest speaker will be Philip Lane. On the Sunday morning the LMS Orchestra will have another rehearsal, with the concert taking place at The Platform, Morecambe at 3:00pm with Gavin Sutherland conducting. For more information please visit the LMS website – www.lightmusicsociety.com – or email the secretary, Hilary Ashton: hilary.ashton@talk21.com

If you are one of the many people now on Twitter, you’ll be glad to know that Debbie Wiseman posts regular updates about her latest work, albums and concerts on there. Her username (which you need to find the correct page!) is @wisemandebbie. On June 2nd Debbie is conducting a suite from "The Promise" at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Film Gala Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline March 2011

Brian Reynolds has advised us of some interesting concerts during the next few months:

BBC Elstree Concert Band - Sunday 3rd April at 3.00pm Maida Vale (Studio 1) in a programme of music that would have been broadcast from the Maida Vale studios during their halcyon years.

Alassio Concert Orchestra - Sunday 10th. April 2.45pm at Worthing Assembly Hall. A programme entitled 'The Soul of Spain'. Programme to include Moskowski's Spanish Dances, Amporita Roca (Texidor), Tango in D (Albeniz), Le Cid ballet music (Massenet) Prelude to Act 1 Carmen (Bizet) and Espana (Chabrier)

Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra - Monday 30th May 2011 at 2.30 pm. Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, London, N6

Top film composer John Barry died on 30 January following a heart attack. A full tribute to this outstanding composer and arranger will be included in our June magazine.

BBC Television is currently working on a documentary for BBC Four about the musicians and sound engineers involved in quality easy listening music from the 1960s onwards. We understand that Robert Farnon will be featured in the programme, which is provisionally titled "Music For Pleasure".

EMI is now 100% owned by its bankers, Citigroup, having been unable to pay its debts.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline December 2010

Heinz Herschmann is now in his 87^th year, and showing no sign of slowing down. In addition to his ‘day job’ running Apollo Sound, Heinz is also a very keen chess player with an international reputation. Visit any of the main chess sites on the internet, and you will discover how high he now is on the World and British Chess Grading Lists! We congratulate him on his many achievements playing this testing game. Heinz is hoping to meet up again with his many friends at our forthcoming London meeting.

And further congratulations are due to our member Philip Lane, the busy composer, arranger and record producer who has been involved with so many excellent recordings of Light Music. In a ceremony in Gloucester Cathedral on 19^th November, Philip was made an Honorary DMus (Doctor of Music) by the University of Gloucester ‘for services to music and Cheltenham’.

Sarah Mohr-Pietsch announced towards the end of September that there would be a Light Music slot on her BBC Radio 3 Breakfast Show every Thursday. The first piece she chose was Arthur Benjamin's Jamaican Rumba.

During the summer David Ades has been working for the Imperial War Museum on providing a musical soundtrack for silent war films. The first production to be completed covers the Battle of Ypres during the First World War. Alongside some wartime footage there are scenes from a documentary made in 1922. Authentic acoustic recordings from that period would have been hard to locate, and could quickly become tedious for a production approaching two hours long. To make the music soundtrack more acceptable for today’s ears it was decided that material appropriate for general war scenes should be used. Some people object to background music, and they obviously have the option of watching the film (being released on DVD) with the volume turned off. Others can hear the music, plus sound effects, and among the composers chosen by David are Trevor Duncan, Charles Williams, Dolf van der Linden, Peter Yorke, Robert Farnon, John Ansell, Roger Roger, Clive Richardson, Hubert Clifford, Len Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Cecil Milner, Ronald Hanmer, Ronald Binge and Allan Gray.

We do not usually report the passing of members in our magazine, but we make an exception this time with one of our American friends, Richard Jessen. Readers will be familiar with his articles for JIM in recent years, and particularly his admiration for the singer Vikki Carr. Sadly Richard lost a battle with cancer and died in October at the tragically young age of 56.

John Wilson has a busy conducting schedule ahead of him. He is going on tour in the UK with his MGM Celebration, which was such a hit at the 2009 Proms. You can join the audience at the following venues (telephone booking numbers are shown): 26 November, Manchester (0161 907 9000); 27 November, Gateshead (0191 443 4661); 28 November, Glasgow (0141 353 8000); 29 November, Birmingham (0121 780 3333); 1 December, Cardiff (02920 878500); 3 December, Bournemouth (0844 576 3000); and 5 December, Nottingham (0115 989 5555). If you live in or near Liverpool, there are two events with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic you may not want to miss: on 31 December John conducts a New Year’s Eve Concert Celebrating Frank Sinatra; and on 15 January he conducts "Puttin’ On The Ritz" – A Celebration of Fred Astaire and his Leading Ladies.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline September 2010

‘Jumping Bean’ has heard a rumour that Light Music might feature as "Composer of the Week" on BBC Radio 3 next summer, possibly in June? Let’s hope the rumour is right!

We are delighted to report that RFS member James Beyer is now feeling better following his recent health problems, and he is planning to be back on the podium for the Edinburgh Light Orchestra’s next concert on Saturday 6 November. As usual the venue is the Queen’s Hall in Clerk Street, and the box office opens on 13 September – telephone 0131 668 2019. We know that our members in the Edinburgh area look forward to these excellent concerts, and if anyone else is planning a visit to Scotland’s beautiful capital city later this year then you owe it to yourself to ensure that your stay includes Saturday 6 November!

Philip Farlow has been sharing some more recollections with us, and his childhood experiences may well strike a familiar chord with some RFS members! Philip writes: How incredible that we have all lived throughout such a period of world changing music fashions. When the Robert Farnon [Appreciation] Society was founded in 1956 I was 11 (until November 1st). At first in 1951 my music was played on a wind-up gramophone but about 1954 it was fitted with an Emston pick-up and played into a Murphy A92 'Stationmaster' radio. By 1956 I was quite an experimenter and had devised methods of 'broadcasting' my records from another room via a long run of bell flex. About the same time I also had a small Dulci carbon microphone kit and via a volume control wired in a balance fashion used to announce my records to my (long suffering?) family. By the time I had left school in 1959, and via a Saturday job at Lovell's Dairy, Andover (Hampshire, England) a Dairy/Grocery & Provisions shop my sister managed, I had saved up enough pocket money to buy a BSR UA8 'Monarch' record changer. In some ways I was quite late into 45s EP's & LPs. My music continued to be played into the radio, but also at this time I was getting interested in tape recording and 'hi-fi' in its widest sense so shortly after I started down the road of separate amplifiers and speakers as well as starting tape recording in 1960. My very first machine was a Gramdeck. Those you could say were my formative years of amateur interests, later to be developed in all sorts of - and not least professional - fashion. Jumping Bean invites other members to share their experiences of early collecting and tape recording.

It seems that John Wilson’s MGM triumph continues, this time with the backing of Classic FM. He's about to do tour later in the year and if you go to Classic FM's website, click on ‘events’ and the detail is there; click on ‘book tickets’ and there is a list of venues; it's also being "trailed" during the daily programmes. By the time this appears in print, this year’s John Wilson Prom devoted to Rodgers and Hammerstein will already have taken place, and we have learned that all tickets were sold within four hours. It was broadcast ‘live’ on BBC Radio 3, and recorded for television. Surely the BBC will not keep us waiting eleven months for the DVD this time?

Forrest Patten reports that advertisers in America have been told to stop ignoring the over 50s. The main trade body which measures such things is saying that it is advertisers' continued focus on younger customers that's out of date, thanks to a massive and aging population of baby boomers as well as changes in consumers' lifestyle sparked by new technology. The next few decades may see a shift in how consumers spend, with younger Americans facing smaller salaries amid a tough economy and choosing to have smaller families. Meanwhile, the baby boomer generation will start to retire, with more money saved and the ability to spend more, the story goes. And while the TV market is aimed at viewers 49 and under, the average age of a prime-time broadcast viewer is almost 51. The big networks need to find a way to establish the relevance of older consumers if they want to continue to draw the manufacturers that support TV so heavily. In Britain it is becoming possible to guess which channel you are watching, simply by the kind of advertising carried. No one should fail to notice the difference between adverts on ITV2 and ITV3!

Finally a report from RFS Canadian Representative, Pip Wedge:

On Thursday June 24^th, over 250 devoted lovers of the music of Rob McConnell gathered at the Old Mill in Toronto to hear a Tribute to the music of this talented Canadian composer/arranger/musician, via a recreation of the Rob McConnell Tentet. Rob died in Toronto on May 1st 2010 (see Obituary in this issue). The original unit was founded in 1997, when the economics of getting gigs for Rob’s Boss Brass were becoming too daunting, and the smaller outfit was to be heard widely in Canada for more than ten years. Led by original Tentet trombonist Terry Promane, the reconstituted group included four other founder members – Alex Dean and Mike Murley (tenor Saxes), Steve McDade (trumpet) and Dave Restivo (piano). Because of conflicting engagements, Guido Basso (trumpet & flugelhorn), Terry Clarke (drums), Steve Wallace (bass) and P.J. Perry (alto sax) were unavailable, but other former Tentet alumni who stepped in most ably were Brian O’Kane, Barry Elmes, Pat Collins and John Johnson respectively, with Alastair Kay handling Rob’s own trombone book. It was an evening of joyous music and warm nostalgia. And at the end, after leader Terry Promane had wondered out loud whether this would be the last time these charts would be performed before a live audience, most of us were pretty damp-eyed as we heard the Tentet do what had become their standard closer: For All We Know (We May Never Meet Again). Rob McConnell was a creative, one of a kind Canadian musician. His legacy should live forever.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline June 2010

JOHN WILSON IS BACK AT THE PROMS THIS SUMMER

Following the great success of his “MGM Prom” last year, John Wilson and his hand-picked orchestra of top musicians will performing again at London’s Royal Albert Hall on the afternoon of Sunday 22 August commencing at 4:00 pm. This time John turns the spotlight on the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein with selections from great shows such as “The Sound Of Music”, “Carousel”, “The King And I”, “Flower Drum Song” and “Oklahoma!” The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and will be recorded by BBC Two for a television broadcast on Saturday 28 August. The concert is expected to last around 90 minutes, and singers will include Kim Criswell, Anna Jane Casey, Julian Ovenden and Rod Gilfry with the Maida Vale Singers.

If you live in or around London you may want to be at the Cadogan Hall on Tuesday 22 June at 7.30pm. Three of our leading composer/conductors will be on the podium in front of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert which includes the premiere of Adrian Sutton’s Suite taken from the music for the play “War Horse”. Other highlights include Geoffrey Burgon’s “Brideshead Revisited”, Nigel Hess’ Suite “The Food of Love” and Christopher Gunning’s “Oboe Concerto”, with the solo performed by his daughter Verity. Nigel Hess, Christopher Gunning and Gavin Sutherland are the distinguished conductors, and the box office is 020 7730 4500.

On 5 February “Friday Night Is Music Night” was devoted to the music of Angela Morley. The BBC Concert Orchestra was conducted by Keith Lockhart, who is the current principal conductor of the Boston ‘Pops’ Orchestra, which often commissioned special arrangements from Angela. Several from the orchestra’s library were included in the programme. Another special feature was extracts arranged by Angela for the musical “The Good Companions” by Andre Previn and Johnny Mercer. Among the works featured were: Tara theme from “Gone With The Wind”, A Canadian In Mayfair, My Funny Valentine, themes from “The Quiet Man”, Music Of The Night, Keehar’s theme from “Watership Down”, Main title and love theme from “Superman” (Angela assisted John Williams on several of his most famous film scores), Lover, Christmas Song, Oblivion, Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing, Laura, No One Is Alone and Waltz from “Slipper And The Rose”. Angela’s partner. Christine Parker, heard the broadcast via the internet and she told us: “You can imagine my pride in this latest grand homage covering so much of the gamut of her work, and of course I wept a bit; just the grandeur of the orchestra sound in Tara got me going, and I was happy they chose the Slipper and the Rose Waltz as a finale. When you think how her career went from Geraldo through Dusty Springfield, Noel Coward and Mel Torme all the way to Yo Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman, it's staggering, isn't it! They just couldn't resist quoting Harry Secombe's tasteless joke again unfortunately. Still, it was gratifying to hear the tremendous applause after certain items, like Oblivion. It was quite a coup getting Keith Lockhart to conduct: that way they could have access to the Boston Pops Library. I'm so glad the Beeb pulled out all the stops!” A short while after the concert, Keith Lockhart sent a personal message to Chris: “Bridget Apps, the BBC producer, was kind enough to forward me your email. I'm glad you enjoyed the tribute to Angela's music (except for the Harry Secombe line, which I was shocked that they used, honestly). I didn't have the privilege of knowing Angela well, but was the beneficiary of her beautiful creations, both of my own commissions with the Pops and through my associations with Mel and John Williams. It was an honour to bring all of those beautiful settings together on one programme.”

Although we are sure that many RFS members have read and enjoyed publications from Reader’s Digest over the ages, it is perhaps their light orchestral records that have delighted us the most. In their most productive period from the 1960s onwards, conductors and arrangers such as Robert Farnon, Angela Morley and many others using pseudonyms created some beautiful music, often recorded in London. Therefore the news earlier this year that Reader’s Digest was in serious financial difficulties will have saddened many of us. Did it mean the end of those lovely recordings, and the frequent letters telling us that we might have won £300,000 in their latest draw (even if we didn’t buy the products they were trying to sell us)? It seems that the huge hole in their pension fund was the main reason for the financial meltdown. It seems that someone has come to their rescue – at least the British operation; surely there must be some real value in all that Reader’s Digest has achieved during its long history.

Kevin Stapylton has reminded us that the Decca versions of Robert Farnon’s "Portrait of a Flirt" were different on the “Journey into Melody” 10 inch LP and the later 12 inch "Melody Fair". The latter version is the most widely known, and is the same as on the original Decca 78 by the Kingsway Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bob. The other version (on the 10” LP) would have drifted into obscurity were it not for Mike Dutton who has put the lesser-known take of this piece on to his bargain-price CD "Fingerbustin’”. Presumably it was an alternative take at the same session. If RFS members want to ensure that their Farnon collections are as complete as possible, they should know that the Dutton CD is an essential ‘must have’ - if only for that rare track!

A shock ran through the music business in February when it was suggested in the press that the famous Abbey Road studios might be sold by EMI, who are trying to reduce their considerable debts. The story was quickly denied, but the situation – as they say – is ‘fluid’. There was one report that the National Trust might launch an appeal to buy the famous studios. No doubt this story will surface again, and goodness knows what the position will be by the time this news appears in print. One headline ran: “Abbey Road for sale – zebra crossing not included”!

Terence Gilmore-Jones writes to say that the 2009 Centenary of his wife’s father, Mansel Thomas (1909-1986) went well, and in response to suggestions from friends and admirers special events are being extended into June this year. Ideally they would like to see some of his compositions appear on a CD, particularly the Six Welsh Dances, Breton Suite and Variations on a Nursery Rhyme – Polly Put The Kettle On. They are part of a popular group Mansel wrote for the BBC Welsh Orchestra when he was their Principal Conductor following the Second World War.

Members will recall reading about Nicola Farnon in previous magazines. In a recent message she updates us on her current activities: “I was regularly in touch with Robert Farnon - on the phone and in letters - until his death and he really was fantastically encouraging and brilliantly enthusiastic as ever - right up until the end. I'm still gigging and recording up and down the country and people can still get to see what I'm up to on my website - www.nicolafarnonmusic.com. I also have a new project that might interest some members.... It is entitled Nicola Farnon and The Divas of Song and basically covers the wonderful ladies of swing (Ella, Anita, Bessie Smith, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone and many more - and touches slightly on soul with Aretha Franklyn and Dusty Springfield) and spans from the 1930s to the 1960s and includes the hits they had, some anecdotes and wonderful arrangements for a six piece band (which of course includes me on double bass and vocals!). It has a website with more information at www.divasofsong.co.uk. I'm still ‘oop Narth’ in Sheffield(!) and the girls are now eleven and nine years old and blossoming into beauties.... of course I am biased! But I do get down south most holidays to visit mum in Wiltshire. At most gigs I get people coming up to ask if I'm related to the late great Bob Farnon and the more I hear and learn about him and listen to his wonderful music the more proud I feel that he is a relative (my dad's cousin to be precise - their fathers were brothers who left Ireland at the turn of the century for Canada and my dad's father came back to England) and that he must be somewhere in my genes!”

Thanks to Philip Farlow (who seems to know all the right people!) another ‘lost’ recording of a “Canada Show” broadcast is now safely tucked away in the RFS archives. Members heard an extract at the recent London meeting. The show actually dates from just after the end of the Second World War – it went out live from the Queensbury Club on the AEF Programme on Monday 9 July 1945. Captain Bob Farnon and the Canadian Band of the AEF were joined by the harpist Mario ‘Harp’ Lorenzi, with comperes Gerry Wilmot and Wilf Davidson: the announcer was Dick Misener and the featured vocalists Paul Carpenter, Joanne Dallas and Gerry Travers.. The programme included Trolley Song (Chorus), Idaho, Robin Hood (Paul Carpenter), Poet and Peasant (Mario Lorenzi), Cherokee, Too Much In Love (Joanne Dallas), Stairway To The Stars, The Men of Harlech (Mario Lorenzi), Loch Lomond (Mario Lorenzi), Poinciana (Gerry Travers and chorus).

We hope our UK members noticed the schedules for BBC Four on Easter Sunday. In one of the rare treats, for which this channel is now becoming recognised, was a tribute to American songwriter Johnny Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to around 1,500 songs – many of them among the finest of the last century. Even if you didn’t watch just for Johnny himself, the never-ending film clips and interviews with the stars were sheer bliss for those of us of ‘a certain age’. The producers must have had a real headache securing the rights and no doubt paying substantial fees for all the vintage recordings used – but how it was all so worth while! This BBC co-production (Clint Eastwood was the main producer) included British material, and it was good to see snatches of interviews with Michael Parkinson and Humphrey Lyttleton. As a bonus the following programme was a repeat of a BBC show from 1974 in which Johnny was ‘In Concert’ with the Harry Roche Constellation.

On 16 April “Friday Night Is Music Night” had an Indian theme, and the BBC Concert Orchestra wanted to perform Robert Farnon’s Taj Mahal. Unfortunately it was not possible to locate the score; possibly it may have been one of those lost in the disastrous Chappell fire in 1964.

If you attended our London meeting in April 2009 you will have had the pleasure of meeting Marjorie Cullerne and Gilles Gouset. They are understandably excited about new CDs of Haydn Wood’s music, and we recently received the following report from them. “It is with great confidence that we announce the long awaited CD release of Haydn Wood's Violin Concerto (1928). Many of you will remember the thrill you had listening to Haydn Wood's Violin Concerto on BBC Radio 3 in 2008, with soloist Tasmin Little, and Gavin Sutherland conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra. At last, the concerto has been recorded by Dutton Epoch in October 2009, with soloist Lorraine McAslan, and an ever-so-devoted Gavin Sutherland and the BBC Concert Orchestra. The CD includes yet another thrill – Haydn Wood's long-forgotten Adagio for Violin and Orchestra (1905), the manuscript of which we found languishing at the BBC Music Library. If you love Haydn Wood's light music, you'll love his serious music. He always remained true to his own style – beautiful melody, consummate orchestral writing, with sophisticated and elegant harmonies floating easily one into the other. He was from his early twenties totally at home writing big forms; the Adagio dates from 1905, around the same time he wrote his symphony and his piano concerto. Lorraine McAslan's grand and sweet-toned virtuosity admirably suits the Violin Concerto, and her sensitivity captures the dreamy, caressing mood of the Adagio. The CD also includes Lionel Sainsbury's Violin Concerto (1989). You can read all details about the Dutton Epoch CD on the Dutton web page. And if you love Haydn Wood's songs, you still can purchase our CD ‘A Breezy Ballad’, 24 songs and ballads of Haydn Wood.”

Tony Bennett was featured in several UK newspaper articles in mid-April. The Daily Telegraph included a reference to his work with Robert Farnon: “The rock and pop revolution of the Sixties eclipsed the jazz music he loved and the kind of songs that had defined Bennett’s career, and Columbia Records pressurised him to record contemporary pop hits. The final straw was his 1970 album Tony Sings the Great Hits of Today! - a commercial and artistic catastrophe. It prompted a split with Columbia, and while Bennett experimented with his own label, Improv, and cut a pair of well-received albums with jazz pianist Bill Evans, the end of the Seventies found him without a record deal and facing career burn-out. A cocaine habit didn’t help. Bennett strenuously plays down this low period now, insisting that he came to England and found a new lease of life collaborating with composer and arranger Robert Farnon. ‘Columbia promoted the idea that my career went down and my records stopped selling,’ he claims. ‘I had the greatest time of my life in England for a couple of years, and Robert Farnon made some of the best music I’ve ever been around.’ 'Tony Bennett Sings the Ultimate American Songbook Vol. 1’ was released on Sony on Apr 19.”

Geoff Sheldon. Chairman of the Eric Coates Society tells us that they are now working on a follow-up concert in view of the success of last year’s “Eric Coates – The Man and his Music”. On October 16th a concert entitled “Eric Coates and Other Music” will feature Peter Dempsey and Guy Rowlands, The Nottinghamshire Police Band and the Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir. Geoff is especially looking forward to hearing the Police Band play Men of Trent, which Eric Coates composed for them. They still have the original manuscript supplied by Coates. The venue will again be the Central Methodist Chapel in Hucknall, some 500 yards from ‘Tenter Hill’, the house where Eric Coates spent his formative years and began his music lessons.

The Editor is always delighted when RFS members make suggestions for new features in our magazine. A recent note from Philip Farlow certainly rekindled happy memories for him of buying precious 78s 60 years ago. At the time David Ades was a schoolboy living in Leigh-on-Sea, and ‘his’ record shop was Hodges and Johnson, although you had to weave your way through the pianos to reach the small room at the back where the records were kept. If you wanted to hear them an elderly gentleman would put them on a record player, often managing to skate the pickup over the first few grooves! Were your experiences similar? Here’s what Philip suggests: “How about appealing in Jumping Bean for readers to write about their early days of record collecting; not so much what was bought but from the angle of where they actually bought records from. All the original type of record outlets like music shops, radio TV and electrical stores and other unlikely places that retailed records have now all but disappeared. These places were often full of original character, many going back to the twenties and before, employing a whole variety of respected (or otherwise) characters of largely varying vintages. The larger chains and music shops generally had a proper record department with permanent knowledgeable staff - whilst in smaller towns and particularly in radio, TV and electrical stores one often found records resigned to a corner, upstairs, downstairs or anywhere they could be shuffled to, with just a Saturday assistant dealing with all and sundry - perhaps not very well. Being even in my early days of technical inquisitiveness it never ceased to intrigue me the different number of ways there were to audition records. I recall converted radiograms playing 'out loud' into the department, record players on counters, corridors leading to quite large separated rooms connected to record players under the control of the counter staff and of course record booths, some self operative and others operated from the counter. I always thought that the ultimate sophistication was the 'Record Browserie', one of which operated with a fair degree of success on the premises of radio and TV dealer Wisehill and Field in my home town of Andover, Hampshire. This was opened in the mid 1950's by none other than the then BBC Showband pianist Bill McGuffie who afterwards entertained patrons of the White Hart Hotel late into the evening with his unique jazz/cocktail style of the time. All kinds of self operative record playing was of course open to mis-use. In Record Browseries you had at your disposal all of the stock and if unobserved you could spend a good long time 'wearing out' your favourites and not being obliged to buy anything. I also know of stories connected with records being bought at smaller stores and, dying to hear one's latest purchase before the journey home they were taken into much larger stores where they could be played in self operated booths without anyone being any the wiser!”

Members of the RFS who live in the area of North-West England served by BBC Radio Cumbria will know that Harry King hosts a regular programme devoted mainly to music from the middle years of the 20th century. For his evening show on bank holiday Monday, 3 May, he invited three Robert Farnon Society members to join him. Alan Bunting explained the mysteries of digital sound restoration, with some fascinating examples of ‘before and after’; Brian Reynolds recalled the glory days of ‘Music While You Work’; and David Ades talked about Robert Farnon and other light music personalities. David’s contribution was recorded at the BBC studios in Taunton on 21 April, but it is hoped that it sounded like he was actually in the Cumbria studio with Harry. There was plenty of light music throughout the show, which could be heard live throughout the world on the internet on the BBC website. The programme was also available via the ‘Listen Again’ facility for seven days after the original broadcast. We hope that many members will have spotted the news in advance on our own website on the ‘Latest News’ page. If you have internet facilities, you should regularly visit www.rfsoc.org.uk to pick up any latest news items.

JOHN FOX : MY MUSICAL WORLD
Published by Eloquent Books (USA) Hardback 375 pages ISBN 978-1-60860-302-2
We know that this autobiography has been a labour of love for John Fox stretching back several years. The fact that it has now been published should be a measure of great satisfaction for him, since it represents a considerable achievement. John has documented the trials and tribulations – as well as the many highs – of being a musician during the 20th century. Not many people have managed to make a career out of music, and it is immeasurably more difficult today since the many broadcasting orchestras around the world have all but disappeared. Once upon a time professional musicians represented a significant number of the workforce, but not any more. As well as being a fascinating study of life as a musician, John has also allowed us into his personal life, and his ‘Wishes’ and ‘Hopes’ towards the end of his book indicate that he is being honest with his readers. Warmly recommended!

British RFS Members Hear One Of Robert Farnon’s Last Works
Members at our 2010 Spring meeting in London were the first outside North America to hear one of the last works composed by Robert Farnon.
In Journal Into Melody 165 (September 2005) Dr. Stanley Saunders, in his article “Robert Farnon – Genius and Humility: A Canadian Perspective”, gave the background details of how the work “American Wind Symphony – The Gaels” was commissioned by Professor Darryl Bott, Assistant Director Of Bands at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA on behalf of the award-winning Honors Wind Symphony at Roxbury High School, New Jersey..
Dr. Saunders explained: “In several discussions with me about instrumentation, musical clefs, notation and so on regarding this new multi-movement work, Robert was particularly enthusiastic about the use of the Celtic drums that play an important part in the ‘Finale’ of the Wind Symphony. The knowledge that Robert played percussion in the Toronto Symphony Junior Orchestra at the age of twelve, and that he was a drummer in his brother Brian’s band for three years, clearly demonstrated his passion and continued interest in percussion.”
The premiere of this work took place at Roxbury High School on 25 May 2006 with RFS member Dr. Stanley Saunders conducting the Wind Band. It is this performance that RFS members heard on 28 March. The programme notes for the occasion were printed in JIM 170 (December 2006) so need not be reprinted here. However Dr. Saunders has kindly sent us a Review of the premiere, from which you will note that Robert Farnon’s inspiration was the many Scots and Irish who immigrated to the USA, taking their musical heritage with them.

Review
The world premiere of the American Wind Symphony: The Gaels composed by the celebrated composer, Robert Farnon, was presented on the evening of Thursday, May 25, 2006 in the 1500 seat Roxbury High School Auditorium at Succasunna, New Jersey. The composition and the performance received a standing ovation that demanded the final section of the Symphony to be repeated. The Gala Celebration Concert was the culminating event of the weeklong highly successful Artist in Residence biennial programme that is an essential part of the Arts Festival.
American Wind Symphony: The Gaels is dedicated by the composer to Dr. Stanley Saunders, the 2006 Artist in Residence, who conducted the premiere performance. The work is scored for piccolo; Flutes 1 and 2; Oboes 1 and 2; Clarinets 1, 2, and 3; alto clarinet; bass clarinet; bassoons 1 and 2; alto saxophone I and 2; tenor saxophone 1 and 2; baritone saxophone; French horns 1, 2, 3, and 4; Trumpets 1, 2, and 3; trombones I, 2, and 3; euphoniums I, 2, and 3; tubas; string bass; and a percussion section that consists of piano, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, celeste, bells, chimes, wind chimes, tambour, triangle, tambourine, tam-tam, small and large cymbals, snare drum, bass drum, sand block, finger cymbals, and Scottish side drum.
The Roxbury High School Honors Wind Symphony, Roxbury High School, Succasunna, New Jersey, USA, Director, Mr. Todd Nichols, commissioned the work. Professor Darryl Bott, Former Director, who now teaches at Rutgers University, New Jersey, made the arrangements.
The Honors Wind Symphony consisting of fifty-seven chosen instrumentalists has earned an outstanding reputation over the last decade and is regarded as one of the foremost wind ensembles in the United States. The ensemble has been selected as the Grand Champion Winner at Festivals in many States including Virginia, Ohio, Washington, D.C.as well as International Festivals including Toronto, Ontario, Canada—the birthplace of the composer. In addition, the Ensemble has performed at the Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center, the Carnegie Hall in New York City and other prestigious performing venues.
The opening section of the composition, Introduction, started with a crescendo roll throughout the percussion section, which heralded a spirited and delineated fanfare-like section in the brass based on a phrase from Scotland the Brave. A lyrical, flowing melody followed in the low reed and brass instruments above which a florid woodwind counterpoint was woven that was complimented by percussion colourations. A ‘lento’ section that featured the keyboards and mallet instruments along with solo flute and bassoon, led to the second section, The Warriors. A quiet, solo timpani roll introduced this ‘Allegro’ section with pyramid-like entries in the muted brass in triple metre. This triple-metre passage increased in volume and intensity as other instruments made their entries. This portion of the work subsided both in tempo and in dynamics with a flute solo followed by a keyboard link that transformed the mood from one of tension to a feeling of peace that continued throughout section three, The Lament: Emerald Isle. This moving melody was presented in antiphonal four-bar phrases throughout the wind ensemble. The modulating sequences played by the clarinets and saxophones continued with a quickening of pace. This passage was followed by a sudden change of mood that illumed Farnon’s great skill and ingenuity in orchestration as the high woodwinds floated breezily along while the whole percussion section provided shimmering and scintillating contrapuntal embellishments. The whole ensemble then made a spirited entry with staccato utterances from the low brass and tam tam [gong] leading into section four, Battle Cry. This rousing ‘presto’ section clearly depicted the Warriors as they prepared for action. A soft roll in the percussion followed by a sustained tone in the French horns and low reeds led to section five, The Lassie. During this part of the composition, one could almost see and smell the heather of the Highlands as the solo piccolo quietly played the main theme in brisk fashion accompanied by the captivation rhythm of the Scottish side drum. The work increased in excitement and intensity as other sections of the wind ensemble joined in. Section six, Bluebells, was announced in an unusual 5/4 metre, while the contrasting The Lassie theme continued in the piccolo, flutes, oboe, and keyboards as a dancing filigree counterpoint. The main theme, Bluebells, continued but has now reverted to its more familiar quadruple metre. The Introduction music now reappeared in full dress and section seven, Scotland the Brave, was announced in ‘vivace’ fashion by the trumpet section against an invigorating triplet figure in the high woodwinds, mallet, and keyboard instruments. The dance-like figure made its final, furious appearance at a ‘presto’ tempo and the thrilling build up concluded in stirring fashion with solo timpani and full ensemble presenting a dramatic climax.
Robert Farnon’s seven-part composition, An American Wind Symphony: The Gaels is a perfect symphonic wind ensemble setting that reflects the history of The Gaels both at Roxbury High School and throughout the ages. The composition has programmatic aspects that are reflected in the Celtic melodies upon which the work is based, yet it still retained an overriding sense of formal splendour and majesty.
The performance received an exciting and passionate reading by both conductor and performers that not only brought to life the musical history of the past but also reflected the greatness and the versatility of the genius of the composer, Robert Farnon.
(The author of this review has not been disclosed to us).

Following the great success of his “MGM Prom” last year, John Wilson and his hand-picked orchestra of top musicians will performing again at London’s Royal Albert Hall on the afternoon of Sunday 22 August commencing at 4:00 pm. This time John turns the spotlight on the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein with selections from great shows such as “The Sound Of Music”, “Carousel”, “The King And I”, “Flower Drum Song” and “Oklahoma!” The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and will be recorded by BBC Two for a television broadcast on Saturday 28 August. The concert is expected to last around 90 minutes, and singers will include Kim Criswell, Anna Jane Casey, Julian Ovenden and Rod Gilfry with the Maida Vale Singers.

If you live in or around London you may want to be at the Cadogan Hall on Tuesday 22 June at 7.30pm. Three of our leading composer/conductors will be on the podium in front of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert which includes the premiere of Adrian Sutton’s Suite taken from the music for the play “War Horse”. Other highlights include Geoffrey Burgon’s “Brideshead Revisited”, Nigel Hess’ Suite “The Food of Love” and Christopher Gunning’s “Oboe Concerto”, with the solo performed by his daughter Verity. Nigel Hess, Christopher Gunning and Gavin Sutherland are the distinguished conductors, and the box office is 020 7730 4500.

On 5 February “Friday Night Is Music Night” was devoted to the music of Angela Morley. The BBC Concert Orchestra was conducted by Keith Lockhart, who is the current principal conductor of the Boston ‘Pops’ Orchestra, which often commissioned special arrangements from Angela. Several from the orchestra’s library were included in the programme. Another special feature was extracts arranged by Angela for the musical “The Good Companions” by Andre Previn and Johnny Mercer. Among the works featured were: Tara theme from “Gone With The Wind”, A Canadian In Mayfair, My Funny Valentine, themes from “The Quiet Man”, Music Of The Night, Keehar’s theme from “Watership Down”, Main title and love theme from “Superman” (Angela assisted John Williams on several of his most famous film scores), Lover, Christmas Song, Oblivion, Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing, Laura, No One Is Alone and Waltz from “Slipper And The Rose”. Angela’s partner. Christine Parker, heard the broadcast via the internet and she told us: “You can imagine my pride in this latest grand homage covering so much of the gamut of her work, and of course I wept a bit; just the grandeur of the orchestra sound in Tara got me going, and I was happy they chose the Slipper and the Rose Waltz as a finale. When you think how her career went from Geraldo through Dusty Springfield, Noel Coward and Mel Torme all the way to Yo Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman, it's staggering, isn't it! They just couldn't resist quoting Harry Secombe's tasteless joke again unfortunately. Still, it was gratifying to hear the tremendous applause after certain items, like Oblivion. It was quite a coup getting Keith Lockhart to conduct: that way they could have access to the Boston Pops Library. I'm so glad the Beeb pulled out all the stops!” A short while after the concert, Keith Lockhart sent a personal message to Chris: “Bridget Apps, the BBC producer, was kind enough to forward me your email. I'm glad you enjoyed the tribute to Angela's music (except for the Harry Secombe line, which I was shocked that they used, honestly). I didn't have the privilege of knowing Angela well, but was the beneficiary of her beautiful creations, both of my own commissions with the Pops and through my associations with Mel and John Williams. It was an honour to bring all of those beautiful settings together on one programme.”

Although we are sure that many RFS members have read and enjoyed publications from Reader’s Digest over the ages, it is perhaps their light orchestral records that have delighted us the most. In their most productive period from the 1960s onwards, conductors and arrangers such as Robert Farnon, Angela Morley and many others using pseudonyms created some beautiful music, often recorded in London. Therefore the news earlier this year that Reader’s Digest was in serious financial difficulties will have saddened many of us. Did it mean the end of those lovely recordings, and the frequent letters telling us that we might have won £300,000 in their latest draw (even if we didn’t buy the products they were trying to sell us)? It seems that the huge hole in their pension fund was the main reason for the financial meltdown. It seems that someone has come to their rescue – at least the British operation; surely there must be some real value in all that Reader’s Digest has achieved during its long history.

Kevin Stapylton has reminded us that the Decca versions of Robert Farnon’s "Portrait of a Flirt" were different on the “Journey into Melody” 10 inch LP and the later 12 inch "Melody Fair". The latter version is the most widely known, and is the same as on the original Decca 78 by the Kingsway Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bob. The other version (on the 10” LP) would have drifted into obscurity were it not for Mike Dutton who has put the lesser-known take of this piece on to his bargain-price CD "Fingerbustin’”. Presumably it was an alternative take at the same session. If RFS members want to ensure that their Farnon collections are as complete as possible, they should know that the Dutton CD is an essential ‘must have’ - if only for that rare track!

A shock ran through the music business in February when it was suggested in the press that the famous Abbey Road studios might be sold by EMI, who are trying to reduce their considerable debts. The story was quickly denied, but the situation – as they say – is ‘fluid’. There was one report that the National Trust might launch an appeal to buy the famous studios. No doubt this story will surface again, and goodness knows what the position will be by the time this news appears in print. One headline ran: “Abbey Road for sale – zebra crossing not included”!

Terence Gilmore-Jones writes to say that the 2009 Centenary of his wife’s father, Mansel Thomas (1909-1986) went well, and in response to suggestions from friends and admirers special events are being extended into June this year. Ideally they would like to see some of his compositions appear on a CD, particularly the Six Welsh Dances, Breton Suite and Variations on a Nursery Rhyme – Polly Put The Kettle On. They are part of a popular group Mansel wrote for the BBC Welsh Orchestra when he was their Principal Conductor following the Second World War.

Members will recall reading about Nicola Farnon in previous magazines. In a recent message she updates us on her current activities: “I was regularly in touch with Robert Farnon - on the phone and in letters - until his death and he really was fantastically encouraging and brilliantly enthusiastic as ever - right up until the end. I'm still gigging and recording up and down the country and people can still get to see what I'm up to on my website - www.nicolafarnonmusic.com. I also have a new project that might interest some members.... It is entitled Nicola Farnon and The Divas of Song and basically covers the wonderful ladies of swing (Ella, Anita, Bessie Smith, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone and many more - and touches slightly on soul with Aretha Franklyn and Dusty Springfield) and spans from the 1930s to the 1960s and includes the hits they had, some anecdotes and wonderful arrangements for a six piece band (which of course includes me on double bass and vocals!). It has a website with more information at www.divasofsong.co.uk. I'm still ‘oop Narth’ in Sheffield(!) and the girls are now eleven and nine years old and blossoming into beauties.... of course I am biased! But I do get down south most holidays to visit mum in Wiltshire. At most gigs I get people coming up to ask if I'm related to the late great Bob Farnon and the more I hear and learn about him and listen to his wonderful music the more proud I feel that he is a relative (my dad's cousin to be precise - their fathers were brothers who left Ireland at the turn of the century for Canada and my dad's father came back to England) and that he must be somewhere in my genes!”

Thanks to Philip Farlow (who seems to know all the right people!) another ‘lost’ recording of a “Canada Show” broadcast is now safely tucked away in the RFS archives. Members heard an extract at the recent London meeting. The show actually dates from just after the end of the Second World War – it went out live from the Queensbury Club on the AEF Programme on Monday 9 July 1945. Captain Bob Farnon and the Canadian Band of the AEF were joined by the harpist Mario ‘Harp’ Lorenzi, with comperes Gerry Wilmot and Wilf Davidson: the announcer was Dick Misener and the featured vocalists Paul Carpenter, Joanne Dallas and Gerry Travers.. The programme included Trolley Song (Chorus), Idaho, Robin Hood (Paul Carpenter), Poet and Peasant (Mario Lorenzi), Cherokee, Too Much In Love (Joanne Dallas), Stairway To The Stars, The Men of Harlech (Mario Lorenzi), Loch Lomond (Mario Lorenzi), Poinciana (Gerry Travers and chorus).

We hope our UK members noticed the schedules for BBC Four on Easter Sunday. In one of the rare treats, for which this channel is now becoming recognised, was a tribute to American songwriter Johnny Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to around 1,500 songs – many of them among the finest of the last century. Even if you didn’t watch just for Johnny himself, the never-ending film clips and interviews with the stars were sheer bliss for those of us of ‘a certain age’. The producers must have had a real headache securing the rights and no doubt paying substantial fees for all the vintage recordings used – but how it was all so worth while! This BBC co-production (Clint Eastwood was the main producer) included British material, and it was good to see snatches of interviews with Michael Parkinson and Humphrey Lyttleton. As a bonus the following programme was a repeat of a BBC show from 1974 in which Johnny was ‘In Concert’ with the Harry Roche Constellation.

On 16 April “Friday Night Is Music Night” had an Indian theme, and the BBC Concert Orchestra wanted to perform Robert Farnon’s Taj Mahal. Unfortunately it was not possible to locate the score; possibly it may have been one of those lost in the disastrous Chappell fire in 1964.

If you attended our London meeting in April 2009 you will have had the pleasure of meeting Marjorie Cullerne and Gilles Gouset. They are understandably excited about new CDs of Haydn Wood’s music, and we recently received the following report from them. “It is with great confidence that we announce the long awaited CD release of Haydn Wood's Violin Concerto (1928). Many of you will remember the thrill you had listening to Haydn Wood's Violin Concerto on BBC Radio 3 in 2008, with soloist Tasmin Little, and Gavin Sutherland conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra. At last, the concerto has been recorded by Dutton Epoch in October 2009, with soloist Lorraine McAslan, and an ever-so-devoted Gavin Sutherland and the BBC Concert Orchestra. The CD includes yet another thrill – Haydn Wood's long-forgotten Adagio for Violin and Orchestra (1905), the manuscript of which we found languishing at the BBC Music Library. If you love Haydn Wood's light music, you'll love his serious music. He always remained true to his own style – beautiful melody, consummate orchestral writing, with sophisticated and elegant harmonies floating easily one into the other. He was from his early twenties totally at home writing big forms; the Adagio dates from 1905, around the same time he wrote his symphony and his piano concerto. Lorraine McAslan's grand and sweet-toned virtuosity admirably suits the Violin Concerto, and her sensitivity captures the dreamy, caressing mood of the Adagio. The CD also includes Lionel Sainsbury's Violin Concerto (1989). You can read all details about the Dutton Epoch CD on the Dutton web page. And if you love Haydn Wood's songs, you still can purchase our CD ‘A Breezy Ballad’, 24 songs and ballads of Haydn Wood.”

Tony Bennett was featured in several UK newspaper articles in mid-April. The Daily Telegraph included a reference to his work with Robert Farnon: “The rock and pop revolution of the Sixties eclipsed the jazz music he loved and the kind of songs that had defined Bennett’s career, and Columbia Records pressurised him to record contemporary pop hits. The final straw was his 1970 album Tony Sings the Great Hits of Today! - a commercial and artistic catastrophe. It prompted a split with Columbia, and while Bennett experimented with his own label, Improv, and cut a pair of well-received albums with jazz pianist Bill Evans, the end of the Seventies found him without a record deal and facing career burn-out. A cocaine habit didn’t help. Bennett strenuously plays down this low period now, insisting that he came to England and found a new lease of life collaborating with composer and arranger Robert Farnon. ‘Columbia promoted the idea that my career went down and my records stopped selling,’ he claims. ‘I had the greatest time of my life in England for a couple of years, and Robert Farnon made some of the best music I’ve ever been around.’ 'Tony Bennett Sings the Ultimate American Songbook Vol. 1’ was released on Sony on Apr 19.”

Geoff Sheldon. Chairman of the Eric Coates Society tells us that they are now working on a follow-up concert in view of the success of last year’s “Eric Coates – The Man and his Music”. On October 16th a concert entitled “Eric Coates and Other Music” will feature Peter Dempsey and Guy Rowlands, The Nottinghamshire Police Band and the Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir. Geoff is especially looking forward to hearing the Police Band play Men of Trent, which Eric Coates composed for them. They still have the original manuscript supplied by Coates. The venue will again be the Central Methodist Chapel in Hucknall, some 500 yards from ‘Tenter Hill’, the house where Eric Coates spent his formative years and began his music lessons.

The Editor is always delighted when RFS members make suggestions for new features in our magazine. A recent note from Philip Farlow certainly rekindled happy memories for him of buying precious 78s 60 years ago. At the time David Ades was a schoolboy living in Leigh-on-Sea, and ‘his’ record shop was Hodges and Johnson, although you had to weave your way through the pianos to reach the small room at the back where the records were kept. If you wanted to hear them an elderly gentleman would put them on a record player, often managing to skate the pickup over the first few grooves! Were your experiences similar? Here’s what Philip suggests: “How about appealing in Jumping Bean for readers to write about their early days of record collecting; not so much what was bought but from the angle of where they actually bought records from. All the original type of record outlets like music shops, radio TV and electrical stores and other unlikely places that retailed records have now all but disappeared. These places were often full of original character, many going back to the twenties and before, employing a whole variety of respected (or otherwise) characters of largely varying vintages. The larger chains and music shops generally had a proper record department with permanent knowledgeable staff - whilst in smaller towns and particularly in radio, TV and electrical stores one often found records resigned to a corner, upstairs, downstairs or anywhere they could be shuffled to, with just a Saturday assistant dealing with all and sundry - perhaps not very well. Being even in my early days of technical inquisitiveness it never ceased to intrigue me the different number of ways there were to audition records. I recall converted radiograms playing 'out loud' into the department, record players on counters, corridors leading to quite large separated rooms connected to record players under the control of the counter staff and of course record booths, some self operative and others operated from the counter. I always thought that the ultimate sophistication was the 'Record Browserie', one of which operated with a fair degree of success on the premises of radio and TV dealer Wisehill and Field in my home town of Andover, Hampshire. This was opened in the mid 1950's by none other than the then BBC Showband pianist Bill McGuffie who afterwards entertained patrons of the White Hart Hotel late into the evening with his unique jazz/cocktail style of the time. All kinds of self operative record playing was of course open to mis-use. In Record Browseries you had at your disposal all of the stock and if unobserved you could spend a good long time 'wearing out' your favourites and not being obliged to buy anything. I also know of stories connected with records being bought at smaller stores and, dying to hear one's latest purchase before the journey home they were taken into much larger stores where they could be played in self operated booths without anyone being any the wiser!”

Members of the RFS who live in the area of North-West England served by BBC Radio Cumbria will know that Harry King hosts a regular programme devoted mainly to music from the middle years of the 20th century. For his evening show on bank holiday Monday, 3 May, he invited three Robert Farnon Society members to join him. Alan Bunting explained the mysteries of digital sound restoration, with some fascinating examples of ‘before and after’; Brian Reynolds recalled the glory days of ‘Music While You Work’; and David Ades talked about Robert Farnon and other light music personalities. David’s contribution was recorded at the BBC studios in Taunton on 21 April, but it is hoped that it sounded like he was actually in the Cumbria studio with Harry. There was plenty of light music throughout the show, which could be heard live throughout the world on the internet on the BBC website. The programme was also available via the ‘Listen Again’ facility for seven days after the original broadcast. We hope that many members will have spotted the news in advance on our own website on the ‘Latest News’ page. If you have internet facilities, you should regularly visit www.rfsoc.org.uk to pick up any latest news items.

JOHN FOX : MY MUSICAL WORLD
Published by Eloquent Books (USA) Hardback 375 pages ISBN 978-1-60860-302-2
We know that this autobiography has been a labour of love for John Fox stretching back several years. The fact that it has now been published should be a measure of great satisfaction for him, since it represents a considerable achievement. John has documented the trials and tribulations – as well as the many highs – of being a musician during the 20th century. Not many people have managed to make a career out of music, and it is immeasurably more difficult today since the many broadcasting orchestras around the world have all but disappeared. Once upon a time professional musicians represented a significant number of the workforce, but not any more. As well as being a fascinating study of life as a musician, John has also allowed us into his personal life, and his ‘Wishes’ and ‘Hopes’ towards the end of his book indicate that he is being honest with his readers. Warmly recommended!

British RFS Members Hear One Of Robert Farnon’s Last Works
Members at our 2010 Spring meeting in London were the first outside North America to hear one of the last works composed by Robert Farnon.
In Journal Into Melody 165 (September 2005) Dr. Stanley Saunders, in his article “Robert Farnon – Genius and Humility: A Canadian Perspective”, gave the background details of how the work “American Wind Symphony – The Gaels” was commissioned by Professor Darryl Bott, Assistant Director Of Bands at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA on behalf of the award-winning Honors Wind Symphony at Roxbury High School, New Jersey..
Dr. Saunders explained: “In several discussions with me about instrumentation, musical clefs, notation and so on regarding this new multi-movement work, Robert was particularly enthusiastic about the use of the Celtic drums that play an important part in the ‘Finale’ of the Wind Symphony. The knowledge that Robert played percussion in the Toronto Symphony Junior Orchestra at the age of twelve, and that he was a drummer in his brother Brian’s band for three years, clearly demonstrated his passion and continued interest in percussion.”
The premiere of this work took place at Roxbury High School on 25 May 2006 with RFS member Dr. Stanley Saunders conducting the Wind Band. It is this performance that RFS members heard on 28 March. The programme notes for the occasion were printed in JIM 170 (December 2006) so need not be reprinted here. However Dr. Saunders has kindly sent us a Review of the premiere, from which you will note that Robert Farnon’s inspiration was the many Scots and Irish who immigrated to the USA, taking their musical heritage with them.

Review
The world premiere of the American Wind Symphony: The Gaels composed by the celebrated composer, Robert Farnon, was presented on the evening of Thursday, May 25, 2006 in the 1500 seat Roxbury High School Auditorium at Succasunna, New Jersey. The composition and the performance received a standing ovation that demanded the final section of the Symphony to be repeated. The Gala Celebration Concert was the culminating event of the weeklong highly successful Artist in Residence biennial programme that is an essential part of the Arts Festival.
American Wind Symphony: The Gaels is dedicated by the composer to Dr. Stanley Saunders, the 2006 Artist in Residence, who conducted the premiere performance. The work is scored for piccolo; Flutes 1 and 2; Oboes 1 and 2; Clarinets 1, 2, and 3; alto clarinet; bass clarinet; bassoons 1 and 2; alto saxophone I and 2; tenor saxophone 1 and 2; baritone saxophone; French horns 1, 2, 3, and 4; Trumpets 1, 2, and 3; trombones I, 2, and 3; euphoniums I, 2, and 3; tubas; string bass; and a percussion section that consists of piano, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, celeste, bells, chimes, wind chimes, tambour, triangle, tambourine, tam-tam, small and large cymbals, snare drum, bass drum, sand block, finger cymbals, and Scottish side drum.
The Roxbury High School Honors Wind Symphony, Roxbury High School, Succasunna, New Jersey, USA, Director, Mr. Todd Nichols, commissioned the work. Professor Darryl Bott, Former Director, who now teaches at Rutgers University, New Jersey, made the arrangements.
The Honors Wind Symphony consisting of fifty-seven chosen instrumentalists has earned an outstanding reputation over the last decade and is regarded as one of the foremost wind ensembles in the United States. The ensemble has been selected as the Grand Champion Winner at Festivals in many States including Virginia, Ohio, Washington, D.C.as well as International Festivals including Toronto, Ontario, Canada—the birthplace of the composer. In addition, the Ensemble has performed at the Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center, the Carnegie Hall in New York City and other prestigious performing venues.
The opening section of the composition, Introduction, started with a crescendo roll throughout the percussion section, which heralded a spirited and delineated fanfare-like section in the brass based on a phrase from Scotland the Brave. A lyrical, flowing melody followed in the low reed and brass instruments above which a florid woodwind counterpoint was woven that was complimented by percussion colourations. A ‘lento’ section that featured the keyboards and mallet instruments along with solo flute and bassoon, led to the second section, The Warriors. A quiet, solo timpani roll introduced this ‘Allegro’ section with pyramid-like entries in the muted brass in triple metre. This triple-metre passage increased in volume and intensity as other instruments made their entries. This portion of the work subsided both in tempo and in dynamics with a flute solo followed by a keyboard link that transformed the mood from one of tension to a feeling of peace that continued throughout section three, The Lament: Emerald Isle. This moving melody was presented in antiphonal four-bar phrases throughout the wind ensemble. The modulating sequences played by the clarinets and saxophones continued with a quickening of pace. This passage was followed by a sudden change of mood that illumed Farnon’s great skill and ingenuity in orchestration as the high woodwinds floated breezily along while the whole percussion section provided shimmering and scintillating contrapuntal embellishments. The whole ensemble then made a spirited entry with staccato utterances from the low brass and tam tam [gong] leading into section four, Battle Cry. This rousing ‘presto’ section clearly depicted the Warriors as they prepared for action. A soft roll in the percussion followed by a sustained tone in the French horns and low reeds led to section five, The Lassie. During this part of the composition, one could almost see and smell the heather of the Highlands as the solo piccolo quietly played the main theme in brisk fashion accompanied by the captivation rhythm of the Scottish side drum. The work increased in excitement and intensity as other sections of the wind ensemble joined in. Section six, Bluebells, was announced in an unusual 5/4 metre, while the contrasting The Lassie theme continued in the piccolo, flutes, oboe, and keyboards as a dancing filigree counterpoint. The main theme, Bluebells, continued but has now reverted to its more familiar quadruple metre. The Introduction music now reappeared in full dress and section seven, Scotland the Brave, was announced in ‘vivace’ fashion by the trumpet section against an invigorating triplet figure in the high woodwinds, mallet, and keyboard instruments. The dance-like figure made its final, furious appearance at a ‘presto’ tempo and the thrilling build up concluded in stirring fashion with solo timpani and full ensemble presenting a dramatic climax.
Robert Farnon’s seven-part composition, An American Wind Symphony: The Gaels is a perfect symphonic wind ensemble setting that reflects the history of The Gaels both at Roxbury High School and throughout the ages. The composition has programmatic aspects that are reflected in the Celtic melodies upon which the work is based, yet it still retained an overriding sense of formal splendour and majesty.
The performance received an exciting and passionate reading by both conductor and performers that not only brought to life the musical history of the past but also reflected the greatness and the versatility of the genius of the composer, Robert Farnon.
(The author of this review has not been disclosed to us).

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline March 2010

Philip Farlow was present at Malcolm Laycock’s funeral on 19 November last, and he reports that there were certainly more than 130 people in attendance with standing room only. The service, lasting over 30 minutes was based on Humanist choices. Malcolm's sons Andrew (actor) and Dominic (teacher) conducted the service in a very professional, organised and yet equally compassionate way. The attendees entered to 'Cherokee' by the Syd Lawrence band. Andrew and Dominic's joint linking narrative presented firstly Dave Gelly followed by Chris Dean and then Malcolm's best buddy from College and 'best man' days at one another's Weddings. Like Dave and Chris he played a very important and personally reminiscent role in the proceedings. As we departed from the Crematorium Count Basie's 'Splanky' was played "...nice and loud please!" commented Andrew. The wake was held at the Park Tavern in Eltham and also reflected Malcolm's very wide ranging popularity; people from all walks of the entertainment profession to simply fans gathered in his name to help celebrate what he meant to them.

Fans of the BBC Midland Light Orchestra will be pleased to hear that the National Sound Archive at the British Library in London has obtained some more rare recordings. Featuring popular singer Barry Kent with guest artistes including singers Lita Roza, India Adams, Cheryl Kennedy, Elizabeth Larner and Roy Edwards, plus virtuoso instrumentalists Pearl Fawcett (accordion) and The Two Pianos of Christine & Sandy Blair, this popular 14-week show was broadcast on BBC Radio Two from Birmingham in 1970. The orchestra led by William Hand was conducted by Harold Rich. The producer was Ron Gardner.

‘Jumping Bean’ has heard a rumour that the BBC received 100,000 e-mail messages praising John Wilson’s MGM Prom last August. No doubt they would hate such a fact to become common knowledge, because we are always being told by them that listeners don’t like this kind of music – which is why they do their best to keep it off all their radio stations!

We are delighted to report that James Beyer’s return to the podium conducting the Edinburgh Light Orchestra last November resulted in a full house in the 800+ capacity Queen’s Hall. James tells us that he was pleased to see some younger faces in the audience, and one of the youngest was a 10-year old who insisted upon being added to the mailing list! The programme included a Tribute to Angela Morley, as well as pieces by Robert Farnon, Richard Rodgers, John Williams, Eric Coates, Haydn Wood and Henry Mancini. The next concert is only two months away, on Saturday 22 May, as usual at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh. Telephone contact: 0131 334 3140.

It seems that since he discovered RFS member Frank Comstock a couple of years ago, US bandleader Brian Setzer just won’t let the 87 year-old rest and enjoy his well-deserved retirement! The album "Wolfgang’s Night Out" caused quite a stir in 2007, and the same could happen for Setzer’s latest release "Songs From Lonely Avenue" inspired by his love for 1940s film noir. Frank has been assisting with horn charts on nine tracks, giving the CD its swinging old-school vibe. Brian wants Frank to write just as he did over fifty years ago when he was working with the top stars including, of course, the one and only Doris Day. Frank also wrote arrangements for Benny Carter, Stan Kenton, Les Brown, and Judy Garland, penned the theme songs for Rocky & Bullwinkle, Adam 12, and Dragnet, and recorded the cult classic ‘Music From Outer Space’.

Gavin Sutherland conducted the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in a "Ron Goodwin Gala Concert" at the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth on Saturday 30 January. Unfortunately we were advised of this less than a month before the event, which means that we could not advise RFS members in our last magazine. Sadly our frequently-repeated request that concert promoters should advise us well in advance is still failing to get through to many. However one forthcoming Bournemouth concert that will delight its audience is the Mantovani Spectacular on April 18^th – see page xx of this issue.

Brian Travers recently left the following message on our website: "My father Gerry Travers was one of the lead vocalists of the Canadian Band of the AEF, with Paul Carpenter, and Joanne Dallas. He always spoke so highly of Bob Farnon as a musical genius, and they still kept in touch until my father passed away in 2003. It is nice to read this biography (on the RFS website) of Bob Farnon to get a more detailed insight of his musical career. I still have my father’s original live BBC recordings of the Canada Show broadcasts. They are wax covered metal LP size records, that play at 78 speed from the label out to the edge. In 2000 Cowtown Publications released on CDs these WW2 Canadian Band of the AEF recordings, as well as others they had found."

It is gratifying to know that, despite the indifference of many concert promoters and a certain national broadcasting organisation, there are still a lot of people who like to perform light orchestral music. If you are also a member of the Light Music Society you will know that they advertise forthcoming concerts by amateur ensembles, and David Mardon attended a concert by his local Hale Light Orchestra last July. Appropriately called "Light Music for a Summer’s Evening" the ambitious programme began with the march Light of Foot by C. Lattan, followed by Robert Farnon’s Jumping Bean. Other highlights included music from the film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ (Klaus Badelt); Bows and Bells (Sydney del Monte) – frequently heard half a century ago on the radio, but sadly never recorded; Demoiselle Chic (Percy Fletcher); London Suite – complete (Eric Coates); Dodman Rock (John Holliday); Tabarinage (Robert Docker); and Francis Chagrin’s Beggar’s Theme from the film ‘Last Holiday’. Other composers featured included Lerner and Loewe, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Sir Henry Wood and Sir Edward Elgar. The Hale Light Orchestra’s conductor is Alan Nuttall and the leader is Andy Bate. You can find out more about them via their website: www.halelightorchestra.com

Several members have asked us why contributions from Reuben Musiker in South Africa have been missing from recent issues. Reuben’s strong loyalty to the RFS goes right back to the 1950s, and his encyclopaedic knowledge of light music has been of great benefit to us all. We are sorry to report that Reuben suffered a series of health problems last year, which were so serious that he was in intensive care for a while. On top of this, he downsized from the home where he had lived for 38 years, and with his wife Naomi he now lives in a one bedroom apartment in a retirement village. This forced him to give away his precious collections of books and records, so it is hardly surprising that he has been suffering from depression as a result. However he retains his interest in the RFS and I know that his many friends in the society will share our hope that he soon gets a lot better. When he was taken ill a year ago he had almost finished his second music book ("With A Song In My Heart") and he is now hoping to complete it this year. Obviously the contact address given in previous magazines no longer applies, but he still has the same email: NMusiker@netactive.co.za

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline December 2009

Our last issue was just closing for press when we learned that our good friend Malcolm Laycock had decided to quit his Sunday evening show on BBC Radio-2. The news was mentioned briefly in our Stop Press feature, ‘And Finally’ (JIM181, page 97). Little did we imagine at the time that Malcolm’s departure would cause such a furore. The BBC attempted to pretend that his decision was a big shock and they had tried to persuade him to stay. But journalists on several national papers ensured that the real reasons would be disclosed, and the resultant publicity certainly made many people wonder exactly what goes on at the BBC. Some other music magazines have been quite vitriolic in their condemnation of the Corporation, reinforcing the widely held belief among many of the older generation that the BBC is no longer interested in providing them with the kind of entertainment they would really like to enjoy on radio. Sooner or later this anti-BBC feeling will have to result in changes being made to their music policy, otherwise a groundswell of public opinion could well result in far more serious consequences. How many more times do we have to remind the BBC that we all pay a licence fee in the expectation that they will provide a service for all the population, not just under 40s and vociferous minorities? They are removed from the pressures of advertisers wanting large audiences, and can concentrate on quality, rather than dumbing-down to try to compete with the competition. But to return to Malcolm Laycock: it is now clear to many of us that the BBC had been making life intolerable for him, in many subtle and underhand ways, because they no longer wanted his show on Radio-2. It didn’t fit in with the soft-rock image fostered in recent years, even though similar fare is already available from countless other radio stations. David Jacobs, Desmond Carrington and Russell Davies should be very worried. As technology progresses there will be an increasing number of ways in which to listen to one’s favourite music – if you need further proof read Brian Stringer’s feature on page 46 of this issue. If the BBC doesn’t do the decent thing, and bring Malcolm back without any strings as to what music he can play, surely another enterprising broadcaster will be glad of the services of a friendly and experienced broadcaster with a large, loyal following. Sadly this report had already been printed, and the December 2009 issue of ‘Journal Into Melody’ was being distributed, when the news of Malcolm Laycock’s sudden death on Sunday 8 November shocked all his many friends and admirers.

However it is only fair that praise should be given when it is due, and the BBC deserves a massive pat on the back for the John Wilson MGM Prom. We won’t repeat what is in our report on page 50, but if you missed it please keep a watch on radio and TV listings during the coming weeks because we understand that it is likely to be repeated over the festive season.

It is always a particular pleasure to pass on news of RFS members’ music making, and we are glad to learn that Greg Francis (Musical Director of the National Concert Orchestra of Great Britain) continues to wave the baton for light music. In a recent letter he reports: "I thought I might send an update on a couple of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra popular music concerts I’ve conducted recently. Last year, we managed to get a commission from the Liverpool Culture Company to find as many good local singers as possible, the idea being that they perform live on stage with the RLPO. The concert went ahead last November (2008); it played to a full house and the local press reported that the bar had taken more money than ever before in the history of the Philharmonic Hall. This was interesting to learn, because it perhaps indicates that there is a wide market out there of people who will attend an orchestral concert of light and popular music, but who might never perhaps consider going to sit through a classical performance. So successful was the venture, that Liverpool Council asked us to present the same concert again, which features 18 singers (of the widest styles imaginable) plus the superb Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and a small group of my own players to add a popular feel. And so, the latest concert was duly performed on July 31st in a spectacular marquee along the new pier head at Liverpool dock. The concert was attended by about 8,000 people, which speaks volumes for the popularity of both the orchestra and the musical content! Fortunately, having written the 36 new scores for the concerts, I was also invited to conduct the orchestra on both occasions, and I have to say that the RLPO orchestra musicians are an outstanding example of the versatility and professionalism of British musicians. It is now being discussed that we might perhaps take the orchestra, the singers and the concert to New York next year as a cultural exchange project. There are of course strong links between Liverpool and New York. So, all in all, we seem to have proven that there is a very wide market for light and popular music played by a professional orchestra of the high calibre of the RLPO. Wouldn’t it be nice if other regional orchestras would consider widening their repertoire a little? I really believe it is essential that we keep the barriers down between classical and light popular music. Other good news is, that the ‘Bat – the Symphony’ tours I conducted this year, with the National Concert Orchestra of Great Britain, were a resounding success. The Orchestra has been re-booked for a 20 date tour of the UK again next year, plus a 12 date tour of Scandinavia. Although this definitely doesn’t fall into the ‘popular light music’ category, the orchestra was the main attraction for a lot of people. Not only did it elicit many requests for recordings by the orchestra, but it gave me the opportunity to debut live some of the music written by my 26 year old son (Paul E. Francis) for Sky TV movies, and also those he wrote last year which were recorded by the City of Prague Orchestra. Anyone who wished to hear some of his music, can visit his website at www.PauleFrancis.com"

Like many RFS members, Kevin Stapylton from Lithgow, NSW, Australia, is involved with community radio and he tells us that during the week of Robert Farnon’s birthday, 24 July, he presented a daily feature where in each case the orchestra backing each vocalist was under Bob's direction. He had no listener response but – as he says: "at least I had the personal satisfaction of paying tribute to a great friend and one of the world's finest composers of all time."

One of our Australian members, Graham Miles, has sent the following information which will be of interest to brass band fans. Those of you who appreciate brass band music may like to know there is a website radio station streaming non-stop brass music. To be found at www.allbrassradio.com , it is the brainchild of Dr. Jim Fox who set it up several years ago. He says content of nearly 400 CDs, with more being added all the time, play randomly 24 hours a day. Although based in the USA, All Brass Radio plays many British recordings including those by The Corey Band, Foden's, Black Dyke and many others. Worth a listen if this genre appeals. Dr. Fox also welcomes comments and suggestions by email to allbrass@gmail.com."

It has been almost eighteen months since the Edinburgh Light Orchestra performed a programme of Light Music in Scotland's beautiful capital city. The reason for the absence has been the illness of its conductor James Beyer, for many years a member of the RFS. The good news is that James is now recovering well, and he was back on the podium at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, on Saturday 7 November. As well as the usual varied selection of top composers (Robert Farnon, Richard Rodgers, John Williams, Eric Coates, Haydn Wood and Ivor Novello - to name just a few) there was a special Tribute to Angela Morley, who died last January. The news of the concert came too late for inclusion in our September magazine, but we hope that many members will have discovered the details well in advance in the Latest News section of our website.

"Nostalgic Journey" (for small orchestra), the piece written by David Barton for the 50th anniversary of the Robert Farnon Society is now ‘in print’ and available to order from the publisher’s website at http://stores.imaginemusicpublishing.com/ and costs $40.00 (approximately £24.00) for the score and set of parts. It was recently included in a preview of new works at the Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA) Convention in San Antonio.

Paul Clatworthy mentioned the Robert Farnon Society in a letter published in the October issue of Jazz Journal. He explained that he reviews jazz CDs for JIM, and went on to praise the Metropole Orchestra. It is always helpful when our society gets a mention anywhere, because it tells those interested that we are still alive and kicking!

ROBERT FARNON’S SECOND SYMPHONY

Judging by the messages received by the Secretary, many RFS members spotted in Radio Times that BBC Radio 3 included Bob’s Symphony No. 2 in their ‘Afternoon on 3’ programme on Friday 25 September. A few days before the broadcast producer Neil Varley invited David Ades to say a few words about the symphony, and a telephone interview took place on the Thursday. This was edited to a little over two minutes and was placed immediately before the music was heard. The recording was taken from the Dutton Epoch CD (CDLX 7173) with John Wilson conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra. Happily there was time at the end of the programme for a short encore, so listeners were also treated to Seventh Heaven from the same album.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline September 2009

In 1967-1968 more than 300 of Britain’s biggest names in the entertainment world were interviewed by Bernard Braden for a proposed television series that never came to fruition. At the time Braden (one of our Society’s original Vice-Presidents) was a leading popular television presenter, and we have not (yet) been able to discover why the project was dropped. The good news is that the British Film Institute has been able to acquire this valuable resource, which is being made available for educational use – subject to the necessary rights clearances being obtained. Robert Farnon was one of the people interviewed, and thanks to David Farnon we now have a copy (unedited, and in pristine colour) in the RFS Archives.

On 11 May BBC-2 screened a concert from the Royal Albert Hall featuring the comedian Bill Bailey with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Anne Dudley – "Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra". The event actually took place last October, and somewhat surprisingly it has been announced that a DVD will be released on 23 November later this year. This will feature the entire concert, not just the excerpts screened by the BBC, although TV viewers did see (and hear) the BBC Concert Orchestra playing David Rose’s Holiday For Strings and John Malcolm’s Non Stop. Unfortunately the music was punctuated by Bailey’s ‘witticisms’, but some people may have been sufficiently attracted to want to explore further. Thanks to Roger Mellor for this report.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of his daughter Michele, there are many releases on CD and DVD featuring Matt Monro, and a recent package from Odeon Entertainment called "The Ultimate Performer" includes an extract from Tony Bennett’s Thames TV show on 18 October 1972 from London’s Talk Of The Town featuring Robert Farnon and his Orchestra. This was a series featuring many top singers with Tony Bennett (all featuring the Robert Farnon Orchestra) and as far as we know this is the first time that anything from this source has appeared on DVD (if you know differently, please tell us!)

Spotted for sale on the Amazon website in July - copies of the following deleted Robert Farnon CDs: Living Era "Portrait of Farnon" on offer at over £110; Vocalion "Two Cigarettes In The Dark" £100; "Out Of My Dreams" £145.73; "Hoagy Carmichael/Victor Schertzinger Suites" a staggering £214.50!

On 24 June the London Daily Telegraph featured an interview with RFS member John Wilson. In the newspaper it was headed: "Conductor who saw the light". On the Telegraph’s website the same article appeared as: "John Wilson’s plight for ‘light music’". The sub-heading was more explicit: "John Wilson is on a crusade to bring light music and classic film scores back to our concert halls". It seems that the interviewer Ivan Hewett was slightly confused in suggesting that "Workers’ Playtime" was once a home of light music on the radio (no doubt he meant "Music While You Work") but at least the article will have alerted some readers to the fact that light music is still alive and kicking, and all the indications are that it is gradually making a comeback. In a resumé of John’s impressive career to date, Hewett reported: At 16 he founded the Newcastle Symphony Orchestra; at 18 he went to the Royal College, where, as he puts it, "I could form a different orchestra every week." By the age of 22 he was out in the world arranging music for Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’, and scouring libraries and archives for music for his newly formed John Wilson Orchestra. "I was determined to get that wonderful Fifties sound you hear on those great MGM musicals, so I booked the best players. It’s the same now. You wouldn’t believe how many section principals and orchestral leaders I’ve got in the string section!" he says proudly. "And we did top-quality repertoire – Gershwin, Cole Porter, all in fabulous arrangements." By 2002, the orchestra had its first Queen Elizabeth Hall concert, and in 2004 Wilson conducted his first MGM Live concert. Talking about this brings a crusading gleam to his eye. "I realised that an awful lot of this music had disappeared. It turned out that MGM threw out all the scores for their great musicals like ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’. They were used as landfill for a car park. So I had to track down the short scores and parts. It’s been a 10-year project." Getting the style right involved studying a man who, for Wilson, is a neglected master of 20th-century music. "Conrad Salinger was a house orchestrator for MGM, and he was really in the Ravel class. André Previn reckons he’s the greatest who ever lived. I’ve learned lots of tricks from him." Would he describe himself as a perfectionist? "Oh, it’s got to be right. I once spent a whole Sunday morning on just four bars from ‘The Wizard of Oz’." We’ve been talking about American film composers, but it’s only when I ask Wilson about future plans that the truth finally comes out. "People think I’m a film music nerd, but my real passion is English music. What I’d really like to do is conduct all the Vaughan Williams symphonies." What makes English music special for him? "Oh, I can’t explain it. It’s that wistfulness and longing and melancholy. Elgar’s symphonies I think are in the Beethoven class. I have fights with people in the pub about that." The idea of Wilson getting in a fight is wonderfully improbable; but then so is his charmed life-story, which is the stuff of a good musical itself.

The Summer edition of The Light Music Society Newsletter includes Ernest Tomlinson’s last Chairman’s Letter at the helm. He explains that health considerations have forced him to come to terms with the fact that the time is right to hand over to a younger person. This year the LMS Annual Concert and AGM has moved from Ernest’s home at Lancaster Farm, and is taking place in Cheltenham with Gavin Sutherland waving the baton. The date is Sunday 30^th August, and a new Chairman will be elected. As we go to press nominations are being received, and we will announce the name of the new chairman in our December issue. Ernest has been a splendid ambassador for light music. His involvement with the Light Music Society goes back to the mid-1950s when it was supported by the BBC; Ernest became Chairman in 1966. Soon afterwards the BBC’s interest in light music faded, and for many years the LMS became a dormant non-membership organisation. The Library of Light Orchestral Music was established in the 1980s when Ernest became aware of the large amounts of manuscripts that were being destroyed. The LMS was re-launched, and it became fully operational once again in 1996 when the Newsletters were reintroduced. Ernest’s successor will have a hard act to follow, but ET promises to remain active in the background to give advice when needed!

Several members have written to tell us that it is now possible to view a rare film containing music by Robert Farnon on the internet. The title is "This Is London" and it was made to encourage foreign visitors to London during the 1950s. Rex Harrison narrated, and Robert Farnon contributed the score. It is all new music – not a rehash of existing compositions. Courtesy of Alan Willmott we have screen this film at our London meetings many years ago, but if you have internet access we strongly recommend that you spend an enjoyable 20 minutes or so viewing it. You need to input: www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=78588 While on the site take time to look at some other shorts from the same period – you’ll recognise a lot of the music!

On Sunday 8 November Debbie Wiseman will be conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s Cadogan Hall in a Concert of music, poetry and song in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign. The programme includes Debbie’s own scores for My Uncle Silas, Wilde and Tom & Viv, plus works by Bach, Borodin, Britten, Tchaikovsky and Holst. Telephone bookings: 020 7730 4500. Online bookings: www.cadoganhall.com

2009 is the centenary of the birth of Mansel Thomas (1909-1986), one of the foremost Welsh composers of the last century. He was a well-known conductor, and became Head of Music at the BBC in Wales. His vocal and instrumental music is performed worldwide by choirs and artists, including Bryn Terfel and the BBC National Chorus and Orchestra of Wales, and is featured regularly on radio and television. Awarded the OBE, he composed Rhapsody For A Prince for the Investiture of The Prince of Wales in 1969, and this is one of his many works currently available in print. For more information please contact the Mansel Thomas Trust at: Ty Cerbyd, Station Road, Ponthir, Newport, Wales, NP18 1GQ – website: www.manselthomas.org.uk

Another notable centenary this year is De Wolfe Music, which was founded in 1909 by Meyer De Wolfe at premises in 20 Noel Street, Great Marlborough Street, London, W1. In a special centenary publication called "Nitrate/Bit-Rate" the company makes the proud boast that it has the longest running, and most important film and television music library resource in the world. Originally the music was provided in the form of sheet music, but as each new advance in sound recording has come along it has been fully embraced. Some readers of this magazine will have De Wolfe 78s, LPs and CDs; but even these are now being consigned to history, with computer technology now the norm. Happily the business is still controlled by the family: James de Wolfe is Chairman, and his son Warren de Wolfe is Managing Director. The Robert Farnon Society has enjoyed a very friendly relationship with De Wolfe for over fifty years, and we are delighted to send our very best wishes to them in celebrating this milestone. For a fuller report on this enterprising music publisher (which also owns the famous Angel Recording Studios) please refer to the article in Journal Into Melody issue 140, September 1999.

Malcolm Powell is well-known to RFS members through our London meetings and his splendid photos which have regularly appeared in our magazines for more years than we care to admit! But he is also a familiar voice to listeners of Meridian FM where he presents a regular programme "Looking For Yesterday". Why not join him by visiting www.meridianfm.com

A Canadian note from Pip Wedge

BOSS BRASS BOWS OUT

Seven months after Rob McConnell’s famed Boss Brass had made a welcome return to the Toronto music scene with three sold-out concerts at Toronto’s Old Mill in December 2008, Rob and the group made what was announced as positively the band’s final appearance on Canada Day, July 1^st, with a lunchtime performance at the Toronto Jazz Festival’s Mainstage in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square.

Apart from Rob himself, the only Boss Brass veterans who appeared on the final gig were Don Thompson (vibes, piano), Steve Wallace (bass) and Bob McDougall (trombone). Yet so strong is the pool of musicians available to draw on in Toronto, that Rob’s distinctive award –winning charts sounded every bit as crisp and exciting as when we first heard them, from the Strike Up the Band opener to the All The Things You Are closer, with Rob’s unique version of Oh Canada appropriately bringing the set to a close - and ensuring a standing ovation!

Bob made some comments about having a bonfire of all his charts, but no-one took him seriously. There are many universities around the city – and the country – that would be delighted to house them.

In JIM 169 in September 2006, reporting on Rob’s appearance with his Tentet at this same Toronto festival, I noted that Rob had been having health problems, and expressed the hope that his choice for their final number, For All We Know (We May Never Meet Again) was in no way prophetic. What a difference three years have made, thank goodness!

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline June 2009

Our very special member Rosemary Squires, MBE, received another unexpected honour recently. The packed audience at the at the prestigious Concorde Club Eastleigh on Wednesday 4 March was delighted when the proprietor, Cole Matheson, jumped on stage during the second half of her gala celebration of ‘Sixty Years of Song’ to award an equally surprised Rosemary Squires with ‘The Freedom of the Concorde’! Congratulating Rosemary on her "diamond jubilee of making music" Cole thanked her for "her singing, her smile, and for her ‘royal presence’ so often lighting up the stage which has given so much pleasure worldwide over so many years". Cole explained that in addition to having her photograph displayed in a place of honour in the Club, the award entitled Rosemary to drive her sheep through the Moldy Fig bar, to sleep overnight in the car park, to paddle in the brook and to have her first drink on the house whenever she calls!" For once lost for words, Rosemary said "This is an emotional moment - I suppose I’ve got to go out and buy a flock a sheep now!" For this gala evening Rosemary called on world famous musicians from her past, Brian Dee piano, Colin Green guitar, Bobby Worth drums, Jim Richardson bass, Alan Barnes saxes/clarinet, and Ronnie Hughes trumpet; the concert closed appropriately with a lively ‘I’ve got Rhythm’, which they certainly had! The perfect ending to what was acclaimed by members of the audience as "a memorable occasion".

Joan Osborne-Walker recently sent us a cutting from the Daily Telegraph headed "Why joyful music is good for the heart". It seems that scientists have discovered that stressful or disturbing music has the effect of narrowing the arteries, and may be harmful to the heart. On the other hand a cheerful favourite tune has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, widening them and protecting against heart disease. After listening to joyful music, volunteers’ arteries opened 26 per cent wider on average than they did when no music was played. So if you want to keep fit, healthy and happy – put on your favourite CD … of light music, of course!

Rod Rizzo also sent us a cutting – this time from the New York Daily News. It mentions that 29 years after the death of Andre Kostelanetz his personal chronicle of his long and distinguished career has been donated to the Library of Congress. It comprises 73 cartons of personal papers, recordings, photographs, transcriptions and correspondence. It had all been stored in a warehouse because his brother, Boris, felt emotionally unable to deal with it after his death. When Boris died, their nephew Bob Frank arranged for the donation. Included are transcriptions of the live radio programmes Kostelanetz hosted on CBS radio from 1932 to 1946. They are widely considered to have played a major role in making classical music accessible to pop music fans.

Gene Lees recently completed his new biography on the career of Artie Shaw. We will let you know as soon as we are advised of its publication.

The Australian composer Grant Foster has been very busy just recently. In a special message to Journal Into Melody he told us that he had been in Dubai on 13 March for discussions regarding the performance of "The Pearl of Dubai". He then left for Nice, France where his Piano Sonata was premiered on 21 March by Mira Yevtich along with his Ballad for Two Pianos also performed by Mira and a very fine Russian pianist. Grant is currently working on an Opera which he describes as an exciting work, one that he feels could be well received.

"You’re-Never-Too-Old-To-Learn" department: Dave Bernard in Cambridge (USA) recently told us that the Alec Wilder composition In The Blue Of The Evening is predominantly known as Footnote To A Summer Love and it was thus titled when Wilder himself recorded it with his Octet on Vox in 1947. It appears on the Robert Farnon Decca LP "Presenting Robert Farnon", and there is another Wilder piece on the other side of the album which also has two titles:  on the UK release (LK 4067) it is "Dawn to Dusk" but on the same LP issued in the USA (London LL 812) it is called "Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra". Alec Wilder seems to have been greatly admired by musicians. Even Frank Sinatra is reported to have used his own money to conduct and record some of his music back in his Tommy Dorsey days.

Paul Clatworthy has drawn our attention to a recent CD issued by El Records featuring the LP "Sounds In The Night" by Russ Garcia (ACMEM 160 CD). To fill the rest of the CD they have included the "Mother Magoo Suite" by Dennis Farnon (featuring Marni Nixon on some tracks) which was on one side of an RCA LP in the 1950s. The booklet notes for the new CD by Christopher Evans are particularly interesting. He tells us that Dennis Farnon "made a good living through composing and arranging for the movies (including Captain Hornblower RN and Spring In Park Lane) and as a jazz bandleader, Farnon also aspired to be a classical composer and even had the first of his two symphonies composed before the war premiered by the great conductor Eugene Ormandy etc…" Does anyone know who Christopher Evans is? He needs to be told a thing or two about Dennis and Robert!

David S. Brookes is running an Eric Coates ‘Come and Play Day’ at Polesworth Abbey on Saturday 3 October 2009 and he and his team are looking for instrumentalists who would be interested in taking part. For more information contact David S Brookes 54 Kiln Way, Polesworth, Tamworth B78 1JE. Tel. 01827 704410; Email: music-line@ntlworld.com

BBC-2 screened a 90-minute documentary devoted to Tony Bennett on a Saturday evening last February. It was produced and compered by Clint Eastwood, and showed that Tony can still hold an audience in the palm of his hand. The one ‘wrong note’ was the omission of any reference to his work with Robert Farnon. We know that such shows suffer at the hands of editors when they are being put together after filming, but considering that Bob and Tony were responsible for some landmark LPs – as well as memorable concerts at Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall, as well as a Thames TV series – how could all that be ignored? Show business ‘documentaries’ like this can be entertaining, but it seems they should never be relied upon as an accurate representation of the subject’s real achievements.

Ann Adams and The Ladies’ Palm Court Orchestra will be playing again in a London Park this summer, but the venue has changed to St James’s Park from 2:00 to 4:15pm on Sunday 26 July. Her regular fans are bound to turn out in force … just pray for a warm, sunny day!

Richard Cochrane is a jazz player, based in The Netherlands, but his reason for contacting us recently is that he is the nephew of the composer Joyce Cochrane. Richard had noted that several of her pieces have been reissued on Guild CDs, and David Ades explained to him that it is very difficult to discover much about her career. He has promised to pass on what he knows, although he admits that he regrets not having asked her more about her work during a period towards the end of her life when she was living with him. However Richard believes that a mistake has been made in crediting "Call Of The Casbah" (on "Going Places" Guild GLCD 5151) to Joyce Cochrane. The label of the original disc (HMV 45-POP 404) states simply ‘Cochrane’, but this work is not listed on any of the papers in Richard’s possession. He wonders if it may be written by Peggy Cochrane, since he has found a reference to her working on the TV series "Destination Downing Street" (where the music was used) although Peggy is not listed specifically as the composer. It seems highly likely that Richard is right; this is another example of the annoying habit of record companies often only crediting composers by their surnames (there are even examples where no composers are mentioned at all). It also illustrates that even the best educated guesses are not always correct!

On Easter Monday Colin Berry introduced a 2 hour programme of Light Music – "A Little Light Music" - on BBC Three Counties Radio. We included details in the ‘Latest News’ section of our website, so we hope that many RFS members around the world will have heard Colin via the BBC Website. Colin presented a similar programme last Christmas, and the success of the Easter show prompted a further two hours of Light Music on the May Day Bank Holiday. Let’s hope that this becomes a regular feature for Colin.

Leslie Julian Jones is known to light music enthusiasts as the composer of Postman’s Knock, but he created a body of music which has been unfairly neglected. Former BBC Producer Anthony Wills is working hard to make his music better known, and he recently provided us with an update on the restoration of Jones’ ‘lost’ musical "Queen For Sunday". Anthony reports: After many setbacks and delays we are finally ready to go into the studio and record a demo of Leslie Julian Jones’ Lost Musical for circulation to music publishers, musical theatre academies and operatic societies. The vocal score (running to 220 pages!) is finished and has been checked and re-checked. We are particularly thrilled to have secured the services of Richard Suart to play the role of Hi-Tee. Richard has just finished touring with Opera North in their productions of George Gershwin’s "Of Thee I Sing" and "Let ‘Em Eat Cake". He has a wealth of experience in Gilbert & Sullivan and other character roles. His latest CD, which he has recorded with soprano Catherine Bott and the New London Orchestra & Chorus under Ronald Corp, features the songs of neglected British composer Lionel Monckton (of "The Arcadians" fame) and is available on Hyperion Records. The 16-piece chorus is being drawn from the ranks of Capital Voices — Annie Skates’ first-class vocal ensemble, whose skills have been featured in such diverse settings as the Royal Variety Performance, The X Factor and Britain‘s Got Talent on TV, Radio 2 concerts with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jerry Herman, recordings with Michael Ball and Elaine Paige, and Christmas concerts for Raymond Gubbay in the Royal Albert Hall. Other roles are being taken by Matt and Annie Lower and members of the English Concert Singers, who have just celebrated their 20th anniversary with a gala concert of works by Brahms and Vaughan Williams in the newly restored Birmingham Town Hall. The pianist is Alexander Wells who is the official accompanist to the London Chorus and the Highgate Choral Society. The Musical Director is the former Principal Conductor of the BBC Radio Orchestra and City of Glasgow Philharmonic lain Sutherland, who has conducted West End shows as well as a series of classic Broadway shows recorded for BBC Radio 2. Recording will take place in Resident Studios London NW2 later this month (April 2009). The engineer is Mark Tucker who has worked in studios such as Lansdowne and CTS and is now freelance. Mark’s experience encompasses film soundtracks, jazz, West End cast and pop recordings. Even though the recording is with piano accompaniment rather than orchestra the costs are working out at approximately £32,000 so we have had to seek donations from sponsors.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline January 2009

Last October BBC Four screened a series of programmes with a railway theme, and from subsequent feedback we know that many RFS members in Britain found them most enjoyable. Prompted by the 40^th anniversary of the fateful ‘Beeching Report’ which forced the closure of around one-third on the railway network, the programmes were rich in nostalgia – especially to steam enthusiasts. British Transport Films were featured on 23 October (with later repeats) and members who regularly attend our London meetings will have spotted Alan Willmott towards the end of the programme. Alan was with BTF for over 30 years, and he has presented selections of their vast film library (over 700 titles) at RFS meetings. Much of their appeal to us lies in the orchestral scores that were commissioned from leading composers. Sadly the programme did not mention this important aspect, but maybe this was due to only 40 minutes being allocated to what is a vast subject. Alan tells us that his part of the programme was filmed at the National Railway Museum last July, and it would be nice to think that – one day – another producer will give us a more satisfying study (perhaps lasting around two hours) of the work of the BTF. But as a taster Alan’s programme was most welcome and enjoyable, and several BTF films were screened in their original form while the ‘railway season’ was running.

As we mentioned briefly in our last issue, Brian Reynolds has been providing a lot of interesting information about broadcasting orchestras for the Whirligig internet site – www.whirligig-tv.co.uk.. This started as long ago as 1999 by Terry Guntripp, who tells us that he had virtually stopped adding new information to his site because the supply of fresh material had virtually dried up – until Brian Reynolds took an interest! Details of vintage themes available on Guild ‘Golden Age of Light Music’ CDs have also been featured on a new page in the radio section – click on ‘Radio Days’ in the left hand column, and then ‘Audio Sources’ in the strip at the top of the new page. Because he has so much new material to add about broadcasting orchestras, Brian Reynolds has now been given his own website ‘Masters of Melody’: www.mastersofmelody.co.uk.

The following report dated 13 October 2008 comes from The Canadian Press, Toronto: Tony Bennett says it was the genius of the late Toronto-born composer Robert Farnon that led to his long break from producing Christmas albums. Bennett's new record "A Swingin' Christmas", being released this week, is just his second holiday album. The first was 1968's "Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album", and the iconic crooner says the 40-year gap is a result of Farnon's superb orchestrations on that disc. 'When I did ("Snowfall") it was such a work of art, as far as I was concerned, that when Columbia/Sony ... would say to me every year, 'You've got to do a Christmas album because that's our season to really sell an album,' I said, 'No, no ... that's the album,' you know, it was very complete,' Bennett, 82, said in a recent interview. He explained that Farnon was widely revered in music circles and nicknamed 'The Governor' by Frank Sinatra. Bennett changed his mind about doing a second festive album earlier this year after his son/manager, Danny, proposed doing one that 'isn't as serious or religious as the first "Snowfall" album.' 'He said, 'Just a swingin' album, let's do one for parties ... it's such a festive time of the year. Just do an album that just has a good beat to it,'' Bennett said in his raspy New York accent, dressed to the nines in a slick, navy-blue pinstripe suit. "A Swingin' Christmas", recorded onstage at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in New Jersey, comprises old favourites including Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas and Winter Wonderland. The album reunites Bennett with the Count Basie Orchestra, with whom he performed in the 1950s. Some of the orchestra members are the same ones Bennett recorded with back in the day, he said. 'I was the first white singer that ever sang (with them), when it was shocking to have a white artist with a black band,' said the balladeer, who has won 15 Grammy Awards. 'It was great, it worked right away, there wasn't any problem at all but the corporations always questioned it because the black music never really sold down south in bigoted areas of the States and they would discourage it. They wouldn't promote it because of sales.'

On 29 October 2008 BBC Radio-3’s "Performance on 3" featured a concert of light music from the Colosseum in Watford. The BBC Concert Orchestra was conducted by Gavin Sutherland and they were certainly on top form. The varied programme included both modern and ‘classic’ pieces of light music, confirming that today’s composers are still attracted to the genre. Highlight for many people will have been the inclusion of Haydn Wood’s Violin Concerto brilliantly performed by Tasmin Little. The concert featured the following works: Joie de Vivre (David Lyon), Lakeside Idyll (Ernest Tomlinson), Violin Concerto (Haydn Wood), London Salute (Philip Lane), Kaleidoscope (Peter Hope), Summer Afternoon (Eric Coates), In The Moonlight (Albert Ketèlbey), The Night Has Eyes (Charles Williams), Jubilee Dances (Paul Patterson) – plus an encore Knightsbridge (Eric Coates). It was good to hear Gavin Sutherland interviewed during the concert and, although this was a radio concert, you were able to view it afterwards, on the BBC iPlayer for seven days via your computer … let’s hope the idea catches on! Unfortunately we were not advised of the concert until after our September magazine had gone to press, but we did include details in the Latest News section of our website, so we hope that some RFS members will have been alerted.

Filmharmonic 2009 takes place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday 8 May commencing at 7:30pm. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Paul Bateman, and the concert includes music from Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Superman and Jurassic Park. There will also be a special tribute to great TV Themes Dallas, Dynasty, Cagney and Lacey and L.A. Law. Tickets £50 - £10. Telephone bookings on 020 7589 8212; online bookings: www.royalalberthall.com.

ROBERT FARNON BASSOON CONCERTO
World premiere Sept. 13, 2009
Legendary arranger/composer Robert Farnon dedicated his final composition of a jazz-oriented bassoon concerto to Daniel Smith.

Titled ‘Romancing the Phoenix’, this ground-breaking concerto, with improvisation included throughout the three movements, calls for enlarged wind sections as well as a jazz rhythm section on stage alongside the orchestra.

The World premiere will take place Sept. 13, 2009 at the Forum Theatre in Malvern, England, with the Chandos Symphony Orchestra, Michael Lloyd conducing. Warner Chappell has published the score and parts with Robert Farnon’s dedication to Daniel Smith on the title page.

The note in our last issue (page 74) about the last time Tony Bennett and Robert Farnon were together in the recording studios prompted calls from Fred Wadsworth and Mark Fox. Christmas in Herald Square was included as a final ‘hidden’ track on the Bennett CD "The Playground" – US Columbia CK69380. Sixteen tracks (mainly to appeal to children) were listed on the album, but when you continued playing the CD at the end a seventeenth track appeared. This was a gimmick used on a number of CDs released around this time – the late 1990s. Maybe readers are aware of other examples?

There are now many internet sites which could be of interest to readers, and one recently brought to our attention is that operated by the British music magazine Gramophone. It now contains a massive amount of information, including reviews going back decades, and those of you with access to the internet should take a look at: www.gramophone.net One word of warning: once you start surfing this site you won’t want to stop!

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have taken over the management of the BBC Big Band. The connection here is that the RPO's MD, Ian Maclay, was formerly General Manager of the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Big Band. Hopefully this will do nothing but good in ensuring the survival of the Big Band, which currently only gets 25 minutes a week on Radio 2 plus the odd Radio 3 broadcast. It should get more outside concerts for a start.

Anne Shelton’s niece, Kelly Richards, is promoting a special concert on the 15^th year (to the day) of her death on Friday 31 July. It is in aid of Anne’s favourite charity, the Not Forgotten Association, and will take place at The Winter Garden Theatre, Eastbourne, commencing at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £15 - £17; box office telephone 01323 412000. The New Squadronaires will be performing many wartime favourites, and they will be accompanying many singers who are adding their support.

The newly-formed Eric Coates Society (appropriately launched in the composer’s birthplace) is now up and running, and we wish it every success. Many people regard Coates as the finest English composer of Light Music during the first half of the last century, and this tribute to his memory is long overdue. In the Robert Farnon Society we will continue to keep our members aware of his great achievements, and all new recordings of his music will be publicised. Many of our loyal members also belong to other music societies, and we are sure that some of you will also want to be associated with the efforts being made to keep the music of Eric Coates alive in the 21^st century. The person to contact is the Secretary, Peter Butler, 47 Farleys Lane, Hucknall, Nottingham, NG15 6DT, England. The subscription is £10 and cheques should be payable to ‘The Eric Coates Society’.

RETROSPECTIVE RISES FROM THE ASHES OF LIVING ERA
When Sanctuary Group was taken over by Universal in 2007 the Living Era label was a casualty. Under Ray Crick’s guidance it had become one of the UK’s leading nostalgia catalogues, and by carefully choosing the repertoire it had also achieved success in the USA. Some of the artists were little known in Europe, but their popularity in the USA ensured healthy sales. Ray also commissioned several collections of light music, including Robert Farnon, David Rose, Sidney Torch, George Melachrino, Peter Yorke, Percy Faith and Louis Levy.

After various new projects failed to materialise, Ray Crick launched the Retrospective label last October. Some of the best Living Era collections have been reprogrammed and subjected to fresh digital restoration by Alan Bunting, and the result is an exciting series that is quickly gaining a reputation for quality. Peter Dempsey (who compiled many collections and wrote numerous sleeve notes for Living Era) is also on board, and the initial releases included 2 CD sets by George Formby, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Lyttelton, Nat King Cole, Paul Robeson and Tony Martin, and single discs by Alma Cogan, André Previn, Eartha Kitt, Louis Armstrong, Perez Prado and Sammy Davis Jr. From January plans are for the label to release ten discs per month covering both Nostalgia and Vintage Jazz.

Ray Crick says: "I am delighted to be involved with RETROSPECTIVE because it gives me the chance to create CD programmes that will bring alive the finest recordings by those wonderful vintage entertainers of yesteryear, both popular and jazz, for people to enjoy here and now. The first 25 sets out our stall, with music stretching from the music hall to jugbands to rock ‘n’ roll! We anticipate that the entire project will total more than 400 releases, each with a smart series design, making for a highly collectable range."

RETROSPECTIVE is a joint venture between Wyastone Estate Limited and Retrospective Recordings Limited. All sets will be manufactured in the UK and the USA using the Nimbus disc and print 'on demand' production services and distributed world-wide by Wyastone Estate Limited. The in-house production facility ensures that titles are never overstocked or out of stock and that they can respond immediately to market demand. Website: www.retrospective-records.co.uk

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline December 2008

Some JIM readers might be interested in the recently published third edition of the 'Encyclopedia of British Film' (published by Methuen in 2008, 885 pages, paperback), available for £16.99 from amazon.co.uk [ISBN: 9780413776600]. This is not a book listing films like Halliwell's Film Guide, but covers people that contributed to their making, a kind of 'Who's Who' of the British film industry from its beginnings (before Mitchell and Kenyon) to Harry Potter and beyond. It features over 6,000 articles, varying in length (up to to 1,000 words for major figures) plus articles covering genres and themes in British film. Articles are researched from a wide range of sources and lists of film credits are kept to a minimum, for there would be little point in such a book if most of the material was readily available on the internet. There is an excellent introductory essay by Observer film critic Philip French, a Preface from Dame Judi Dench, suggestions for further reading, and a listing of British film award winners. The articles cover star actors and character players, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, screenwriters, studios and production companies, costume designers, and, of course film music, composers and musical directors. Before 1960 light music (in its broadest sense) was the basis of most British film scoring, just as it dominated the radio airwaves. Jazz and pop scores were rare, but became more common with the rise of composers like John Barry, though classic orchestral scores were still being written by the likes of Ron Goodwin and Angela Morley. There are articles on these and many other film composers, which relate exclusively to the subject's contribution to British film. Apart from Robert Farnon, light music legends such as Louis Levy, Philip Green, Stanley Black, Laurie Johnson, Charles Williams and George Melachrino all feature, as well as William Alwyn, Malcolm Arnold, Eric Coates, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Addison, William Walton and Richard Addinsell, together with bandleaders [Ted Heath, Jack Hylton], singers [Dame Vera Lynn, Jill Day, Jeannie Carson, Frankie Vaughan] and songwriters [Noel Gay, Vivian Ellis, Noel Coward, Ivor Novello, Paddy Roberts, Harry Woods]. There are articles on classical, jazz, and popular music in films, the 'Denham Concerto', and other music related topics, such as 'cinema orchestras and organists', with suggestions for further reading where this is available. So, for example, if you are a fan of the 1953 classic "Genevieve", you can discover that Kay Kendall's trumpet solo was played on the soundtrack by the legendary Kenny Baker and that the band musician who hands Kay the trumpet is none other than that familiar lived-in face from numerous 'B' movies, Michael Balfour (though we are sure many JIM readers will know this anyway !)

With so many fascinating websites now available on the internet (among all the rubbish that is best ignored), it can be somewhat bewildering when a simple question on a search engine produces so many results. If you want to find other music sites where would you start? With the name of the composer or artist is one obvious example, but this can involve a lot of time-consuming cross-referencing. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was just one place you could visit to see a vast number of links to all kinds of composers, record companies, publishers, radio stations etc… Well, the good news is that such a place does exist … on our very own website! Just visit www.rfsoc.org.uk and click on ‘links to other music sites’ where you will discover "The most comprehensive Links page on the Web for beautiful/ light music/ pop orchestral music." The man responsible for compiling this valuable feature is RFS member Christopher Landor, and we are most grateful to him (and our webmaster Ruud) for all the hard work involved in keeping it up to date and reliable.

RFS member Gareth Bramley has recently told us about a new book which should appeal to many in our Society. Unfortunately its publication this autumn was due just too late for a review to appear in this issue, but we look forward to including a full report on the contents in the March magazine. The new book is called "John Barry – The Man With The Midas Touch" and it is being published to coincide with Barry’s 75^th birthday. Gareth writes: "Whether or not you purchased ‘John Barry - A life in Music’, ten years ago, you can look forward to a book that has been thoroughly re-written and completely updated. We have spent a lot of time on the picture content and this too has been extensively updated and includes a good selection of rare photos, both colour and black and white. There are approximately 300 pages including two photo sections of 16 pages each of colour and b & w. In addition to this, a photo introduces each of the thirty chapters, and, of course, the discography has been updated to include everything that’s happened since 1998. It’s a book that does full justice to a glittering career. We want to emphasise that this project is basically a self-publication by people such as Geoff Leonard and myself in that we have commissioned a publisher to act on our behalf. All the work has been done by a team of dedicated Barry fans, much of it voluntarily." To order this new book contact: Gareth Bramley, 3 Newland Close, Toton, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 6EQ, England. The price for UK is £19.99 and cheques should be payable to ‘G. Bramley – Book A/C’. RFS members outside the UK should contact Gareth direct for more information re price and postage. Alternatively you can visit the website: www.johnbarry.org.uk/bab.php

Jan Eriksen is well-known to RFS members who regularly attend our London meetings. He has been responsible for keeping Light Music to the fore in Norwegian broadcasting for many years, and produced concerts featuring ‘greats’ such as George Shearing and – of course – Robert Farnon. In a recent message he told us about his meetings with Iain Sutherland, who will be the Society’s Guest of Honour at our meeting on 30 November. Jan writes:

"Iain Sutherland was a very popular guest conductor during the 27 years I was responsible for light music here in Norway. It is a rather sad story that the Broadcasting Orchestra no longer plays light music in our sense of the word. It’s either serious like Mozart, Beethoven etc, or pop music with sustained notes in the strings and a noisy percussion in the middle. In 1985 we put on a light music concert at an event called the Elverum Festival 120 km north of Oslo with the Norwegian Youth Symphony Orchestra, a group of gifted young people aged from 15 to 25 years old. Bob Farnon should have conducted, but due to health reasons was unable to appear. So I had to phone this Scotsman [Iain!]; he came and was a great success as usual. The programme included: 76 Trombones Wilson arr R. Farnon; Symphonic Suite from "My Fair Lady" arr R. Farnon; Journey into Melody; To a Wild Rose arr R. Farnon; Portarit of a Flirt; State Occasion; Aviator David Reilly with his father Tommy as soloist; Westminster Waltz again Tommy’s version for mouth organ and orchestra; Toledo J Moody with Tommy solo; and last Jumping Bean. Iain Sutherland conducted our Broadcasting Orchestra on several occasions, including its 40^th Anniversary Concert in Oslo Town Hall live on television!"

News reached us during the summer of several broadcasters who went out of their way to honour Robert Farnon’s birthday in July. Paul Barnes on BBC Radio Norfolk, and Ted Nunn on Angel Radio are just two who have been complimented by RFS members who appreciated what they did. No doubt there are many more around the world.

On 20 September John Wilson was in Germany to conduct the WDR Rundfunkorchester in a concert of British Light Music in Cologne. The concert was broadcast a week later on WDR Radio.

Andrew Davis has written and produced a radio documentary about Woolworths record labels, and we understand that he has interviewed Johnny Gregory about his work for the Embassy label. "The Wonderful Sound of Woolies" is scheduled for 10.30pm on 16 December – BBC Radio-2. The presenter is Brian Matthew.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the music industry is out of touch with the realities of present-day technologies and their likely effect upon the availability of music in the future. The long-running saga over sound copyright in Europe is an example of over-protectionism at its worst, yet surely there is no point in passing draconian laws which many people will ignore and find ways of circumventing. If laws are respected as being sensible and fair they will be obeyed by the large majority. With music available worldwide via the internet, and many third world countries producing pirate CDs and DVDs in ever increasing numbers, stricter and unpopular rules in the ‘old world’ (for want of a better term) will simply drive more business away from honest manufacturers. Roger Mellor recently sent us a report which indicates that some sanity may eventually prevail. In the USA new fees set by the Copyright Royalty Board for playing music online by internet radio stations were so unrealistically high that it would have put them out of business. A public campaign has forced a Webcaster Settlement Act to be approved by the House of Representatives, and as we go to press it is confidently expected to be passed by the Senate. This will allow each internet broadcaster to make separate arrangements with SoundExchange, the body which collects royalties in the US, according to their size and ability to pay. This replaces a standard fee which was going to be more than doubled, with many internet broadcasters on the point of ceasing operations. Apparently there was some suspicion that the attempt to force a massive increase in fees was encouraged by traditional radio stations, who are likely to lose out as more and more people start turning to the internet for their radio entertainment.

In our June issue (JIM 176) we reported that Alan Wright had published his last edition of "Nelson’s Notes", dedicated to that fine musician Nelson Riddle. We are pleased to report that our good friend David O’Rourke has decided that the newsletter should not be allowed to die, and the first issue of a new volume of "Nelson’s Notes" reached us at the end of September. It is a quality publication, nicely printed on gloss paper with plenty of photographs. The President of the Nelson Riddle Appreciation Society is Mrs. Rosemary Acerra (Nelson’s daughter), and membership enquiries should be sent direct to her at: 186 Enclave Boulevard, Lakewood, New Jersey, 08701, USA. You can also join online at: www.NelsonRiddleMusic.com.

Although the compilers of various editions of our Robert Farnon Discography undertook considerable detailed research, previously unknown recordings still occasionally come to our attention. Gilles Gouset recently wrote from Canada to say that he had discovered the following 78s featuring the soprano Ada Alsop asccompanied by Robert Farnon and his Orchestra:

London R.10014: Pale Moon; At Dawning
London R.10015: A Brown Bird Singing; Morning
London R.10016: I Hear You Calling Me; Homing
Previously we had only been aware of:
Decca F 8988 Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella; O Holy Night

Presumably the three London 78s were also released in the UK, and if any readers can supply catalogue numbers will they please let us know. We hope to be able to play Ada Alsop singing A Brown Bird Singing at our London meeting next April, when Gilles and Marjorie Cullerne will be presenting a special tribute to Haydn Wood.

Rosemary Squires recently signed a contract to produce a CD with the Brussels Philharmonic, and she was in the Belgian capital 18^th-24^th November to make the recordings. She is the star guest on a ten-day tour of major UK venues with the Glenn Miller Orchestra beginning immediately after Christmas: 27th December – Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool; 28th/29th December - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow; 31st December - Barbican, London; 2nd January - Symphony Hall Birmingham; 3rd January - Conference Centre Harrogate; 4th January - Bridgewater Hall Manchester (2 shows). In additional Rosemary continues to charm audiences with her one-woman shows, and you can catch her at: 4th December - Life is Song - Village Theatre, Carthorps; 5th December - Gigs,Giggles and Gossip, Bowhill House Theatre, Selkirk; 6th December - Gigs, Giggles and Gossip, Wynd Theatre, Melrose; 7th December - Westovian Theatre, South Shields; 19th December - Life is a Song, Burleigh Academy, Newport. Rosemary was honoured in 2004 with the MBE for services to music and charity, and she is now in her sixth decade as a performer. We are proud that she is a member of the Robert Farnon Society, and wish her continued success as a top attraction for many years to come.

A recent brochure from Reader’s Digest includes details of a new 3-CD collection called "British Light Music Favourites". The accompanying publicity blurb mentions just two orchestras - Mantovani and Robert Farnon! Just a few tune titles are given, but we would be interested to know a little more about this collection if any readers have purchased it. The reference number is 0349623, and the price is £29.99 which makes it considerably more expensive than similar amounts of music currently available from labels such as Vocalion and Guild.

We are getting a steady stream of recommendations for radio stations (mostly local or internet) which offer ‘our kind of music’. Rod Rizzo (USA) has told us about Rich Conarty who presents "The Big Broadcast" on Sundays 8:00pm-midnight on WFUV (90.7 FM) – a programme dedicated to music from the 20s onwards he has been hosting for 35 years.

Many of you with internet access have probably already discovered the "Whirligig" site, which covers vintage UK radio and television broadcasts – www.whirligig-tv.co.uk. Brian Reynolds has recently been contributing information on various programmes to the site. As he told us: "Whirligig covers many interesting facets of early TV and radio, but its details of music programmes is sparse. I’m trying to redress the balance!"

RFS Committee member Tony Foster entertained Cheltenham Big Band Society with a varied programme of music on 29 August, in which he included no less than five Robert Farnon recordings – Jumping Bean, Theme from ‘Captain Horatio Hornblower’, Portrait Of A Flirt, Wave and Canadian Caravan.

André Leon, the boss of UK LightRadio, tells us that response to the initial set of test broadcasts in August was very encouraging. More tests will be available during December, so do try to visit www.uklightradio.co.uk Events are moving fast, and there could be some exciting news in the New Year. In the meantime please pay a visit to our own website every so often and check the ‘Latest News’ section on the RFS Information page.

Sound Copyright has been in the news on and off in recent months, and you may like to refresh your memories as to what is at stake by reading again the article on page 5 of JIM 176 (June 2008). As we go to press the stage has been reached where Members of the European Parliament are starting to consider the proposals. From what we have been able to discover as we go to press (mid-October), a report is scheduled for adoption in committee at a first or single reading on 19 January. This will then go forward to the full European Parliament at a Plenary Sitting on 1 April (note the date – April Fools Day).

As you read this report there may still be time to make your MEPs aware of your views. Professional Lobbyists for term extension are making the case to MEPs inside the European Parliament right now. But your voice is stronger than any lobbyist. We can't overstate it: the most important thing you can do to stop term extension is to let your MEPs know your concerns so they see and hear your side. In the meantime the Directive is also being discussed by representatives of Member States in the Council of Ministers. And criticism of the Commission's proposal is emerging all over Europe. The world leading Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property Law in Munich, has released a statement concluding that prolonging the term of protection "cannot be justified from any point of view." Professor Bernt Hugenholtz, Director of the Institute for Information Law in Amsterdam, and one of the Commission's own advisers, has accused Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso of intentionally misleading policy-makers with the proposal. Pekka Gronow, sound archivist, author of "An International History of the Recording Industry", and adjunct professor of ethnomusicology at the University of Helsinki, has written and concluded that performers benefit very little from the proposed extension ("in most cases the resulting sums will not even cover bank charges"). You are urged to add your own voice to the growing opposition against this ill-conceived set of proposals.

We are pleased to report that Ray Crick (previously in charge of the much-missed Living Era) label is now involved in an exciting new project. Details were still secret as we went to press, but we hope to have some positive news in our March issue.

Looking ahead to next April, plans are now being made for the Spring RFS Meeting which will include live music in honour of the 50^th Anniversary of Haydn Wood’s passing. Members of his family will be with us at the Park Inn (formerly Bonnington Hotel), and this will be a special event that you won’t want to miss! Naturally full details will appear in our March magazine, together with a special feature on Haydn Wood – one of the great composers of the last century. Make a note of the date now: Sunday 5 April 2009.

Nottinghamshire, where he was born. Anyone wanting more information should contact the Secretary: Mr P.Butler, 47 Farleys Lane, Hucknall, Nottingham, NG15 6DT Tel 0115 9537393.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline September 2008

James Beyer and The Edinburgh Light Orchestra treated the good citizens of Scotland’s capital city to another fine concert in the Queen’s Hall on Saturday 24 May. James tells us that they had an almost capacity audience of 744 – around 30 more than their normal summer average, and he was particularly pleased to note quite a number of younger people in the audience. As usual the programme commenced with Robert Farnon’s Journey Into Melody and among other treats were Philip Lane’s arrangement of Over the Rainbow, In Sherwood from Frederic Curzon’s ‘Robin Hood’ Suite, Clive Richardson’s Shadow Waltz (composed under his pseudonym ‘Paul Dubois), and an exciting finale provided by Robert Russell Bennett’s arrangement of Richard Rodgers’ melodies from ‘Oklahoma’. As the music critic in the Edinburgh Evening News reported: "under the experienced baton of James Beyer …the orchestra were tempted back to perform the Can Can twice. Clearly the audience couldn’t get enough".

London-based members interested in forgotten Gaiety Musicals may like to know that Ken Reeves is presenting two talks (with audience participation in songs) at Westminster Reference Library. The first is on 23 September, with a second spotlighting "Our Miss Gibbs" on 21 October. Seat reservations can be made on 0207 641 5250, or contact Ken Reeves direct at 232 Rainham Road North, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7EA.

The centenary of Sidney Torch (1908-1990) was celebrated in "Friday Night Is Music Night" on 6 June. The enthusiastic audience enjoyed many of his arrangements, plus some examples of his earlier distinguished career as a theatre organist. Sadly only two Torch compositions were featured – On A Spring Note and All Strings And Fancy Free - but it was a memorable occasion with Robin Stapleton conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra in superb form. RFS member David Daniels reminds us that events such as this are becoming all too rare on the BBC. It is essential that we let the ‘powers that be’ know how much we value them, and want many more. As David says: ‘if we don’t support FNIMN, who can?’

On Tuesday 24 June BBC Radio-3’s daily "In Tune" programme was a live broadcast from the Maida Vale studios featuring the BBC Symphony Orchestra. For part of the programme the orchestra regrouped to form ‘The BBC Light Orchestra’ conducted by John Wilson. John was also interviewed by presenter Petroc Trelawny, which gave him the opportunity to talk about his work with Light Music and the reconstruction of film scores. The ‘light’ section of the programme included Lonely Town (arranged by Angela Morley); Knightsbridge (Eric Coates); Melancholy Baby (arr. Richard Rodney Bennett); Westminster Waltz (Robert Farnon); and Nell Gwyn Overture (Edward German). If you think that John’s richly deserved international reputation now restricts his activities to big prestigious events you couldn’t be more wrong. Your Editor had the great pleasure of attending a concert in Martock, Somerset, church on 12 July, when John was conducting a group of twelve extremely talented young string players known as Sinfonia Westminster, in a programme including lighter works by Mozart, Delius, Elgar, Grieg, Percy Fletcher, Vaughan Williams, Tchaikovsky and Mascagni – all in aid of the church’s bells appeal.

JESSE KNIGHT SPREADS THE WORD ABOUT LIGHT MUSIC

On 29 June Jesse Knight, one of our keen US members, gave a presentation on light music in Portland, Oregon, at the Atlas Society's 19th Annual Summer Seminar. The Atlas Society is an international group of intellectuals who meet every summer to discuss a wide range of topics — everything from current events to economics to politics to philosophy to literature to, of course, music. Ages range from students upwards. There were around 300 – 400 people attending the conference, and Jesse anticipated an audience in the region of 50 for his piece. Not a particularly large number, but as he told us "it’s a start!"

Jesse’s presentation was meant to be an introduction to light music for those not familiar with the genre and consisted of a lecture along with numerous musical examples. Among the familiar pieces he included were Robert Farnon’s "Jumping Bean"; "Serenade for Youth" and "Montmartre March" by Haydn Wood; "Golden Tango" by Victor Silvester (played by the Palm Court Light Orchestra); "Dusk" by Cecil Armstrong Gibbs; "Woodland Revel" by George Melachrino; "Serene Place" by Bill Worland; "Busy Streets" by Roger Roger; "Skyline Concerto" by Charles Kalman; "Gentle Rains" by Adam Langston; and finally "Festa Day" by Matthew Curtis.

The idea behind the presentation was to introduce a group of intellectually curious people to light music, a genre with which they may not be familiar. Hopefully it would encourage them to explore the field of light music further. He discussed such issues as the importance of melody in light music; the music’s immediate accessibility; the absence of angst; and other issues. He traced a bit of the history of light music, discussing its demise, and now its recent renaissance. In addition, he provided a list of resources for those interested in delving into light music more, the Robert Farnon Society.

When asked for some personal information, Jesse replied:

"I have listened to classical music since a youngster. I have for some time been interested in what might be called the pops repertoire—composers such as Ferde Grofe and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. A decade or so ago I happened to attend a Pops Concert conducted by Portland’s Norman Leyden. Among the items on the program was Robert Farnon’s "Jumping Bean". I was completely delighted by the music, and I said, "Who is this Robert Farnon?" I began to look around on the internet and elsewhere. It didn’t take long to uncover the Farnon Society and the broader range of light music. Since then, I’ve written an article on light music and done some minor reviewing."

ADAM SAUNDERS : A YOUNG COMPOSER WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE

RFS member Adam Saunders is already well-known to us through his compositions such as Comedy Overture (1993) and The Magic Kingdom (2003). Adam studied at the Royal Academy of Music and London University, winning several prizes for composition. Since leaving he has established a career composing music for the concert hall and for worldwide television, film and other media.

In addition to a period as composer-in-association with the East of England Orchestra, Adam has had his works performed and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Academy of Ancient Music, London Mozart Players, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Renaissance and the Brighton Festival Chorus amongst others.

As well as his work as a composer, arranger and conductor, Adam also regularly performs as a jazz pianist with his own group, and as a pianist has performed at venues including Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall. He is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Since 1997, Adam Saunders and Mark Cousins have enjoyed a fruitful creative partnership writing music for worldwide television, film, radio and other media. They are regular contributing composers for some of the world's leading production music companies including Universal, Focus and Amphonic, working on tremendously varied projects - ranging from cutting-edge electronica to sumptuous orchestral scores and big band jazz. Whether they're working in front of a 90-piece orchestra, or in a completely electronic production environment, Adam and Mark produce music with consistently high production values and musicality.

To hear examples of Adam and Mark’s work, visit their website at: www.cousins-saunders.co.uk

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline June 2008

In February it was announced that the major British commercial broadcaster G-Cap was closing down a number of its digital radio channels including "The Jazz" and "Our Kind of Music" – the station for which RFS member Albert Killman had provided many recordings of quality popular music including, of course, Robert Farnon. It appears that the lunatics appear to have finally taken over the asylum as far as decent popular music on radio is concerned. Perhaps one day future generations will wake up to what they have lost and do something positive about it. At least the music is being preserved on CD, so it will be available if anyone has the good taste to rediscover.

We are sorry to report that Raymond Elgar Beaver, the son of composer Jack Beaver, died on 25 January 2008. Some years ago we had the pleasure of his company at one of our London meetings, when he spoke about his talented father whose music is still finding a new and appreciative audience through its reappearance on CDs.

Bev Mastin has alerted us to a music website which contains (in his words) ‘a phenomenal selection of Farnon et al’. Bev is right – you will be astonished at the number of often rare records that are offered for sale, and you will probably be surprised and delighted to discover how much some of your own treasured LPs and 45s are worth. The site is: www.gemm.com . As an example, when Jumping Bean looked recently he found a less than perfect copy of the Philips "Shalako" LP on sale at £154 [$303]!

If you can get to London, here’s an important date for your diary! Ann Adams and The Ladies Palm Court Orchestra will be playing in Kensington Gardens earlier this year – on Sunday 29 June from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. On our back page you can see pictures from last summer’s event, which was greatly enjoyed by all present, including many RFS members. If you want up-to-date information please contact our committee member Brian Reynolds.

We hope that RFS members wishing to complete their collection of Living Era CDs took heed of our warning in JIM 174, page 82. Many of these titles are now becoming hard to find, and prices are rising. It is not uncommon to find some dealers asking more than £30 for second-hand copies.

Jim Entwistle recently went into his local HMV store in the north of England and asked the assistant behind the counter for a Naxos catalogue. "What’s Naxos?" came the reply.

Last year Greg Francis formed The National Concert Orchestra of Great Britain. The orchestra is presently being registered with the ABO, and it performed its inaugural concert last December. The remit is to play ‘light popular music’, and for Greg this is probably the realisation of a lifetime’s dream – to create a new orchestra ‘specifically’ to play this music. The first of the Leroy Anderson Centennial Celebration Concerts is on Sunday 21^st September 2008 at St George’s Hall, Liverpool. Greg would like this to be an annual event; he regards Leroy Anderson as a ‘master’ in the art of bringing popular light music to the fore, and he influenced many of the composers (including John Williams) who followed him. Greg says: "we can’t allow his music to go unheard and un-noticed, and it dismayed me to find that only one other orchestra (The Scottish Festival Orchestra) has planned any kind of tribute to him in this Centennial year."

Alan Wright recently published his final edition of "Nelson’s Notes", dedicated to that fine American arranger and conductor Nelson Riddle. In his last Editorial, headed "Time To Call It A Day" Alan explained that the pressures of producing regular newsletters (the last was his 51^st) were starting to become too great, not helped (in Alan’s own words) "…due to those twin protagonists dodgy health and the march of time combining to take their toll." He felt that it was best to stop before standards went into serious decline. However the good news is that Nelson’s music will still be remembered through several websites dedicated to his memory. Alan is one of that elite group of people who has felt compelled to share his love of music with others by keeping alive the memory of those they admire. We wish him many happy years of enjoying Nelson’s music; since his collection numbers over 200 CDs he shouldn’t worry about being bored!

Warmest congratulations to our Australian member Philip Brady who, on 8 April, celebrated 50^th years working on Australian TV and Radio. In his long career Philip has been a newsreader, game show host and foil for the barbed comments of several comedians! He now co-hosts one of the country’s most popular radio shows, and is regarded as something of a broadcasting elder statesman – as well as a celebrity. British RFS members have had the pleasure of welcoming Philip to our London Meetings in the past, and we hope it will not be too long before we see him again. In the meantime we wish him many more years of successful broadcasting ‘down under’!

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline May 2008

The next concert by The Edinburgh Light Orchestra conducted by James Beyer will take place on Saturday 24 May in the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh. For more information telephone 0131 334 3140.

Plans are still progressing for the premiere performance of Robert Farnon’s Bassoon Concerto. Daniel Smith tells us that he now hopes that this will take place in the spring of 2009, and we will naturally keep RFS members informed of developments.

Kym Bonython writes from his home in Adelaide to send warmest regards to his RFS friends, and say that he has started to write a sequel to his 1979 autobiography "Ladies Legs and Lemonade". His friend Barry Humphries suggested that it should be called "In ever decreasing circles…" probably alluding to the fact that Kym (born in 1920) has been forced to give up riding his beloved Agusta motor cycle. It has been sold to the Headmistress of a girls’ school in Britain! From being a highly decorated pilot in World War 2, Kym became one of the greatest jazz promoters in Australia, and he has also been an important patron of Australian art.

The inclusion of the BBC recordings of "Oranges and Lemons" on the Guild ‘Musical Kaleidoscope Volume 1’ collection prompted our good friend Frank Hare to remind us that using this piece to introduce the day’s broadcasting on the Light programme was following an established tradition. This traditional melody was also a ‘call sign’ for the BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme, which commenced broadcasting on 7 June 1944 - one day after D-day. It then consisted of about 12 seconds of the tune repeated over and over again, with a short break between each, and played in single notes by the famous organist Charles Smart on a Novachord with a sustain. This can be heard at the start of the RFS CD featuring Captain Robert Farnon and the Canadian Band of the Allied Expeditionary Forces – still available from us for £6 (which includes p&p).

From Volker Rippe who discovered it in a German calendar for people learning English: Why is ‘our kind of music’ banned from radio and television? Too much sax and violins! (Say it out loud to yourself a few times and you’ll get the joke!)

Our thanks to Ann Adams who has sent us some nice colour photos taken at her Kensington Gardens Concert last summer. This time our colour reproductions had to be reserved for last November’s London meeting, but we hope to let you see Ann’s Ladies Palm Court Orchestra in the next issue.

Debbie Wiseman will be conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert of her Favourite Film and TV Moments at London’s Cadogan Hall on Sunday 30 March. Telephone bookings: 020 7730 4500.

Mort Garson (born 20 July 1924), the composer of the popular song "Our Day Will Come" died in San Francisco on 4 January 2008. During a long and successful career he worked with the likes of Doris Day and Mel Torme.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline December 2007

Further to the report in our last issue, it was announced in September that Sanctuary Records would be closing down its UK recorded music business. The Group’s new owners, Universal, decided that they would concentrate on Sanctuary’s management arm which it stated in a press release was the more profitable side of the business. This tends to conflict with the impression previously given, where statements in recent months had suggested that expensive mistakes in promoting Sanctuary’s roster of artists (including Sir Elton John and Lulu) were the main cause of the financial difficulties. Apparently Sanctuary’s US recorded music operations are not affected, but the decision to close down the UK record business means the disappearance of popular labels such as Living Era and White Line. As we go to press we are still able to get supplies of CDs from Sanctuary’s distributors, but we have no way of knowing how much longer they will continue to be available. If there are any titles you particularly want (and in recent years there have been reviews in JIM of some interesting light music releases on both Living Era and White Line) we recommend that you should try to obtain them without delay.

RFS member Phil Stout has recently reported to us on his work as a Music Consultant with Music Choice, an American television company offering channels of various kinds of music. Of particular interest to readers will be the Easy Listening channel, which broadcasts uninterrupted music continuously for seven days a week. While the music is being played a suitable picture (usually a scenic view) is shown on-screen, together with details of the orchestra and title of the music. Sometimes there are photographs of the conductor, with extra information about their careers. From time to time items of trivia, associated with easy listening music, are scrolled across the screen. Phil tells us that it is often difficult to find decent photographs of the orchestra leaders. During a sample tape we saw Norrie Paramor, Frank Chacksfield, John Wilson, Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanetz, Franck Pourcel, Caravelli and many others; in total there are over 3,000 tracks in active rotation. Phil also provides a similar service for three other full-time channels: Singers and Standards, Big Band & Swing and Showtunes. Music Choice reaches over 30 million homes in the USA.

Readers who have spotted Paul Clatworthy’s reference to Laurie Johnson’s Rue de la Paix (in this issue’s ‘Big Band Roundup’) may be forgiven for wondering why this catchy melody has not yet been featured in the Guild ‘Golden Age of Light Music’ series of CDs. Although it was regularly being heard on BBC Radio in the early 1950s, it was not issued on a mood music 78 by KPM until 1960 so it is still in copyright.

RFS members will recall from recent issues of this magazine that Robert Farnon dedicated his Bassoon Concerto to the American virtuoso Daniel Smith. It is hoped that the UK premiere of this work (one of Bob’s last, which he based on his Saxophone Tripartite) will take place towards the end of next year. Daniel plans to be at our forthcoming London meeting, when he may have some more news about this eagerly awaited event. Meanwhile he is busily promoting his latest CD "The Swingin’ Bassoon" (Guild Zah Zah ZZCD9824) which will be launched at the Concert Jazz Club, in Thame, Oxfordshire on 28 November at 8:00pm. Daniel would be delighted to welcome some RFS members in the audience; if you would like to attend please contact Eddie Fowler on 01844 353117 for more details.

Some members may recall reading features in this magazine written by Mike Ellis. He was also a regular contributor to In Tune International, although he had been less prolific in recent years. Never one to shy away from being controversial, Mike had an encyclopaedic knowledge about quality popular music, and many of us will have learned much from his writings. Sadly he died on 3 September following a long illness, and we send our sincere condolences to his wife Marion and the family.  

ERIC COATES TO BE HONOURED BY BBC RADIO 3

In recognition of the 50^th Anniversary of his death, Radio 3 is to make Eric Coates ‘Composer of the Week’ 17-21 December 2007. The programmes are likely to include a number of premier recordings, and we gather that John Wilson is going to be featured as today’s leading interpreter of Coates’ music.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline September 2007

Warmest congratulations to RFS member Vic Lewis who has recently been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II with the award of an MBE.

Back in June RFS member, and light music composer, John McLain launched a broadside against Radio Times through Radio-4’s "Feedback" programme. John was incensed at the changes on the radio pages of Radio Times which describe music as falling into just three categories: Rock, Pop and/or Classical. Unsurprisingly his tirade did not make it onto the programme. People working at the BBC these days must be getting completely immune to all the complaints from viewers and listeners. If anyone ever praised them they’d probably collapse on the spot, but there seems little likelihood of that happening!

A new work – Ronnie Smith’s "Seasons of Woman" - described by Robert Farnon as "truly beautiful music", was given its world premiere on Saturday 7 July by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Paul Bateman. The venue chosen was the Watford Colosseum (formerly Watford Town Hall) where Ronnie Smith and his Band regularly performed from 1964 to 1974, often to audiences of 1,000 or more. The highlight of the concert was Ronnie’s "Seasons of Woman", composed over a period of seven years which its creator described as a testament to his love and admiration of women. Introduced by Rick Wakeman, the concert also included the jazz ensemble Light & Shade with Tina May, performing some of Ronnie Smith’s latest jazz compositions and arrangements.

RFS member Robin Dodd was recently invited by Angel Radio to present a series of one-hour programmes based on his JIM articles about his musical voyages (the final part of his trip to the South Atlantic appears in this issue on page 28). The first programmes were broadcast in May and June, with more to follow. Angel Radio can be heard in the Havant and Portsmouth areas on 101.1 FM and it is also available world-wide via the internet at www.angelradio.co.uk.

On 1 September (3 p.m.) the National Children's Orchestra (under-13s) will give the first performance of a specially commissioned work by Matthew Curtis called 'Four Winds Suite' in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. On 21 October (2.30 p.m.)  there will be a concert devoted entirely to Matthew’s chamber works at the Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham, performed by Marie Vassiliou (soprano), Verity Butler (clarinet) and Gavin Sutherland (piano).

Dennis Wright recently gave a presentation of some of his own favourites to his local recorded music society. We feel sure that some other members do the same. To make your event more memorable, it is helpful if you can provide some literature for anyone who may be interested. Our Publicity Officer, Paul Clatworthy, will always be happy to supply you with a selection of back issues of our magazine for distribution on such occasions. This is the time of year when plans are being made for events during the darker evenings, so please feel welcome to take advantage of this offer. You may also help to get some new members for us.

25 years ago Fopp began as a market stall in Glasgow, and eventually developed into a major retailer selling cheap CDs, DVDs and books. One of the additional pleasures of attending RFS London meetings was the opportunity to stroll along to Tottenham Court Road and browse through the thousands of CDs at Fopp, often as cheap as only £1 each. Towards the end of June the company announced that all of its 105 stores in Britain would be closed, thus depriving customers of a wonderful source of reasonably priced products. There was speculation that the firm’s problems could have arisen when it acquired 67 stores from the Administrator of the retailer Music Zone some months earlier. However the slump in sales of CDs has been blamed for Fopp’s closure; people are now getting more and more of their music from supermarkets, rather than traditional record stores, and internet sales (and downloads) are booming. Another large UK retailer HMV had announced a big drop in profits just a few days before Fopp announced that it was closing all its stores.

Ann Adams and The Ladies’ Palm Court Orchestra performed an attractive programme of music at Kensington Gardens, London, on Sunday 22 July. Among the many famous light music composers represented were works by Haydn Wood, Henry Croudson, Archibald Joyce, Frederic Curzon, Harry Dexter, Roger Quilter and Albert Ketèlbey.

Another independent record company has been taken over by one of the majors. It was announced on 15 June that Sanctuary (who issue Living Era and other labels and also own the old Pye/Nixa catalogue) had agreed to a £104.3m takeover by Universal Music. The price includes £59m of debt  and it appears that the group's difficulties had arisen through problems with the artists management side of the business, which looks after the careers of stars such as Lulu and Sir Elton John. Although Universal has stated that it wishes to build upon Sanctuary's strengths and expand the business, we still remember what happened when BMG gobbled up the Conifer label some years ago.  If any readers still need to acquire White Line or Living Era CDs for their collections it might be a good idea to get them sooner rather than later. There have been rumours of a counter-bid from a Hong Kong based consortium but to date there is no firm news of this.

Bassist Chris Laurence released his first CD album "New View" earlier this year, and Brian Blain interviewed him for the May/June issue of Jazz UK. Chris said that it was a thrill to work with Sarah Vaughan and Lena Horne "but what really sticks in my mind was a session with Bob Farnon, who was a really outstanding arranger, on a track with the great trombonist J.J. Johnson. It was just JJ and me in the middle of the old CTS studio at Wembley, on a simple blues Opus de Focus. But it was the kind of magical moment that stays with you forever".

Sound copyright: there is now an on-line petition where people who wish the sound copyright term to remain at 50 years can add their name. This comes under the trial UK government scheme whereby citizens can start up petitions for various causes. If there are large numbers of signatories on any given subject the government says it will take notice. We urge all JIM readers who support this petition to add their names as soon as possible. The petition will remain open until 2 December.

Paul Lewis has been commissioned by Bristol Silents and Le Giornate del Cinema Muto (Pordenone Silent Film Festival, Italy) to compose a new score for the classic masterpiece "Pandora’s Box". On 15 September Paul will be conducting his new score with a 25 piece contingent of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, with film projection, at the Colston Hall, Bristol, commencing at 7:30 pm. He has written a special article about his work on the score (lasting an incredible two hours and eleven minutes of music) which we will be publishing in the next issue of Journal Into Melody.

John Wilson conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra in a superb concert of music from British films as the second of this year’s series of Promenade Concerts, on Saturday 14 July. The enthusiastic audience response must surely convince the people who choose the repertoire for Promenade Concerts that this should not be an isolated event. John Wilson was introduced as one of Britain’s foremost light music conductors, so let’s hope that he is given a Prom next year where he can perform some of the finest examples from the world of light music.

Readers with access to the internet will have no problem in finding detailed tracklistings of all the Guild "Golden Age of Light Music" CDs on various sites, including www.guildmusic.com. For the benefit of those without this facility, Alan Bunting has prepared a printed list of all Guild Light Music CDs which he will be pleased to supply on request. Write to Alan at: 28 Pelstream Avenue, Stirling, FK7 0BE, UK – you are requested to enclose three first-class stamps to cover expenses.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline June 2007

Martin Massini Ezcurra, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a great fan of the music of Stanley Black. Before spending a year studying in Britain, he got to know Stanley and his wife Edna, and met him many times in 2001 and 2002. Martin has prepared a list of Stanley Black recordings which he would be pleased to share with any fellow admirers. If you are interested,in the first instance please contact our membership secretary, Albert Killman.

Danny Robinson alerted us to the following letter which appeared in the London Times on 12 February under the heading Light Goes Out "Sir, My ears were opened to the joys of British light classical music by a series of free BBC concerts in the early 1990s. The beautiful sounds of Binge, Coates, Curzon, Torch and others came alive. In recent years, Britons have been able to hear a regular selection of these light classics, most of which are only three or four minutes long, courtesy of Brian Kay's Light Programme on BBC Radio 3, with the bonus of the playlist on the website. His one-hour programme made for a delightful interlude, well-suited to working in front of the PC or a break for afternoon tea. This week, however, Radio 3 has killed off British light music. No more dipping into an important, but little-known, strand of our national musical heritage. What a pity that the BBC cannot find time any more for these little snapshots of Britain. It makes one wonder who the controller thinks he serves. LESTER MAY, London NW1"

One of our German members, Alexander Schatte, has written to tell us about an ongoing project in honour of a leading composer. "For some years I have been working in my leisure time as archivist for the "Franz Grothe Foundation". Franz Grothe (1908-1982) was one of Germany's leading film and light music composers from the late 1920's until the mid 1960's. His musical output contains the music for 170 feature films, popular songs and also fine light concert works. Some of his hit tunes also became successful abroad like his "Midnight-Blues" in 1957. Last year I heard his famous slow waltz melody "Illusion" (also recorded by Dolf van der Linden and other international artists) on BBC via Internet-Radio. During recent months I have constructed a website for the Grothe-Foundation (presently only in the German language) which is now online at www.franzgrothe-stiftung.de The website also contains an online "orchestra catalogue" (103 titles) and in addition a second catalogue with our collection of original historic arrangements for salon orchestra (185 titles). I think these catalogues are interesting for all orchestras and small ensembles, musicians and conductors who enjoy performing traditional light and film music from this period. Every interested website visitor is most welcome to contact with me for further information."

The Scarborough Spa Orchestra is now one of very few light orchestras regularly performing light music. Their reputation has spread far beyond their native Yorkshire, and we hope that readers of this magazine who may happen to be in the north-east of England this summer will make a special effort to attend at least one of their concerts. The season starts on Sunday 3rd June and continues to Friday 21st September. The Scarborough Spa Orchestra gives six morning concerts and four evening concerts every week. Morning concerts are Sunday to Friday inclusive at 11am in the Sun Court, and evening concerts are Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7.45 in the Grade II listed Grand Hall. For more details visit the orchestra’s website, which you can reach via the ‘Links’ page on our own website. RFS member Peter Luck was intrigued by one of the tracks on the Guild CD "Childhood Memories". When he listened to Time For Fun And Games he realised he’d heard it before, but where? The penny eventually dropped when he discovered that it was in "The Two Ronnies" ‘St Botolph’s Country Dance’ sketch that he had on a DVD. David Lennick has written about the Robert Farnon cutting on page 25 of our last issue – ‘The Tinder Box’. He thinks it is likely to be from January 1943, and stresses that the name of the radio series was "Magic Carpet". We were sorry to learn from James Beyer that the Edinburgh Palm Court Orchestra gave its last concert on Sunday 11 February. The orchestra’s Director, David Lyle, explained that they were having problems in finding suitable rehearsal premises, and it was difficult to find time in busy schedules for all the players and soloists to get together. There was also the recurring problem of hard-to-locate scores, and rising costs generally were a constant worry. Also their loyal audience was getting older, and ticket sales were slipping. Happily the Edinburgh Light Orchestra (under conductor James Beyer) continues to go from strength to strength, and their Saturday Concerts at the Queen’s Hall are a well-established popular feature in Edinburgh’s music scene. Their most recent concert was on 26 May, and it included works by Angela Morley, Robert Farnon, Edward White and Eric Coates. For details of their next event you can telephone 0131 334 3140. Have you ever wondered why some musicians only use their initials? Jack Docherty thinks he knows the answer. He recently discovered that H.M. Farrar’s full name is Hubert Murgatroyd Farrar!

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline March 2007

Thanks to the efforts of David O’Rourke, Robert Farnon’s How Beautiful Is Night was performed in a concert at New York’s Lincoln Center last November. James Beyer is planning to include the vocal version in his Edinburgh Light Orchestra’s concert on 26 May at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh (for more details telephone 0131 334 3140).

The following text is taken from Warren Vache’s website, and dates from around April 2005: This has been a terrible month for trumpet players. We have lost such lights as Tutti Cammerata, Robert Farnon, Benny Bailey, Kenny Schermerhorn, and Danny Moore. Alison Kerr of the Glasgow Herald asked me to say a few words for an obit on Robert Farnon she will be doing, and the process of writing re-awoke all the awe and inspiration Mr. Farnon’s writing never failed to instil in me. He had accepted a commission to write one arrangement for me and the Scottish Ensemble for our recording this July (2005), and was not able to complete it. I thought I would include my thoughts here. Robert Farnon was simply one of the most musical, creative, and intelligent arrangers and composers to have graced the world. He was and will remain the apex of that genre, and an inspiration to anyone with the drive to write for orchestral settings. The more you look into his work, the more there is to see and hear. And with all that skill and intelligence, there is always a feeling and a beauty that is absolutely gut wrenching. He was a tone painter like no other. I remember doing a concert with The New York Pops, and sitting in the soloists section in the middle of the orchestra. Now, there are few sounds in the world as exciting for me as a full orchestra, and the sound of a live orchestra is an experience that cannot be reproduced by any recording equipment. Well, they began to play a Farnon setting of Harold Arlen’s ‘What’s Good About Goodbye?" It began with an oboe solo over a lush and surprising string background, full of wonderful, and unusual voiceings, and a very creative harmonic treatment. The oboe was a lone voice in a wonderland, and I wanted to be in that wonderland. As if that weren’t enough, at the bridge, the colour changed to four horns! It was such a dramatic and startling change, as if the sound of the horns rose from under all those strings to take the beauty to a higher level. Imagine the light changing on some far off mountain. I was a puddle of tears it was so moving. It is a gift indeed to live in this veil of tears and be able to see through all the pain and dirt to the beauty Farnon envisioned. The world will not see his like again, and for me, a great source of inspiration and a window to the beautiful has been closed. Hearing a Farnon setting was like love without the heartbreak, and it doesn’t ever get better than that. We are grateful to Malcolm Frazer for discovering this for ‘Journal Into Melody’. Paul Clatworthy reviews Warren’s CD in ‘Keeping Track’.

David Mardon has written to point out that Haydn Wood’s Soliloquy played by the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra conducted by Robert Farnon was not in the Chappell Recorded Music Library, but only on a Decca 78 (F 9265) and 10" LP (LM 4508). David also explains that the Radio Four Theme was initially recorded by the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra under Fritz Speigel (part composer), and there was an agreement with the Musicians’ Union that it was to be re-recorded every five years. As the ‘Northern’ is now the BBC Philharmonic, the last version was under Rumon Gamba.

Tony Foster tells us that the Daily Mail (Saturday 2 December) gave away a free DVD of the film "The Slipper and the Rose". As JIM readers will know, Angela Morley was the Musical Director on this film, and she worked wonders with her arrangements of the Sherman Brothers’ songs, as well as adding her own incidental music.

One of our USA members, Jesse Knight, has written an interesting article on Light Music for a website. If you have access to the internet, you are strongly urged to visit the Aristos site at www.aristos.org and click on to Jesse’s article which is appropriately called "The Joys of Light Music".

Peter Burt asks us to correct a mistake which crept into his "Back Tracks" article in our last issue. He says: "it must have been the Little People and not gremlins that caused me to write that Vincent Youmans was Dublin born. It was, of course, New York. So not Vincent O’Youmans after all!"

The Secretary recently provided the National Theatre in London with a recording of Robert Farnon’s Openings and Endings – the music which introduced "Panorama" when it first appeared on BBC Television back in the 1950s. It will be used in the play "The Reporter" by Nicholas Wright which went into rehearsal in January. The National Theatre had been unable to find a recording, and contacted us through our website. Readers may remember that this music was included on the Conifer 2-CD compilation of Robert Farnon’s compositions released in 1996 and long deleted.

On Tuesday 17 October the Coda Club honoured Angela Morley with their Burt Rhodes Award for lifetime achievement in music. Unfortunately Angela was not well enough to travel from her home in the USA to London to receive the award personally, so it was accepted on her behalf by John Wilson. As readers will know, John has recorded a number of Angela’s compositions and arrangements for Vocalion in recent years, and he said that he felt honoured to receive the award on her behalf.

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline October 2006

JUMPING BEAN

Several British members contacted us following "The Last Night of the Proms" on Saturday 9 September. There was a splendid performance of Eric Coates’ Calling All Workers played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Elder which opened the second half from the Royal Albert Hall. But what really delighted many members was the ability to access the five other concerts taking place simultabeously at other venues around the UK. If you had satellite television you could switch between channels and find all six concerts; even on terrestrial digital Freeview there was a choice of Hyde Park and Belfast – plus, of course, the Royal Albert Hall. While the musical establishment provided the usual high cultural (and rather boring) fare at the Royal Albert Hall, the other concerts offered far more interesting programmes that will have been much more appealing to the majority of viewers and listeners. By switching channels it was possible to enjoy the likes of Ron Goodwin and Henry Mancini, as well as some fine vocal extracts from musical shows. Given the cost of staging six such concerts, surely it was a waste of money and resources to stage them all at precisely the same time? One can only hope that all will be repeated at some stage in the future, so that they can be enjoyed by millions of music lovers. Can there be any other broadcasting organisation in the world that could stage six major concerts at the same time played by its own orchestras?

Tim Weston has advised us that the University of Arizona School of Music has announced the recent acquisition of the Paul Weston and Jo Stafford Collection. This gift comes from Ms. Jo Stafford of Hollywood, California.The collection contains music, memorabilia, films and photographs documenting the musical careers of husband and wife, Paul Weston and Jo Stafford. Jo Stafford is one of America's most successful and celebrated singers. In the 1940s she amassed 21 top-ten hits, was regarded as the favorite singer of the Armed Forces and was the first female artist to sell 25 million records. Her talent has labeled her as "America's Most Versatile Singer" through her coverage of a wide range of American music styles; ballads, folk songs, jazz, blues, hymns, and comedy. Some of her big hits include "You Belong to Me," "Shrimp Boats," "Candy," and "I'll Never Smile Again." The latter recorded with Frank Sinatra during her tenure with the Pied Pipers in Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra. Paul Weston was one of America's leading musical directors and arrangers. He first gained prominence in the late 1930s as one of the first arrangers in Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra. In 1942 Johnny Mercer hired Paul, who was then an arranger at Paramount Pictures, to be the first musical director for his new record label, Capitol Records. Paul produced, conducted, and arranged scores of hits in the 1940s and 1950s for Johnny Mercer, Margaret Whiting, Jo Stafford, Bing Crosby, and numerous others. He wrote standards such as "Day By Day" and "I Should Care," as well as concert works like the New Orleans Crescent City Suite. Weston was also a founder and first national president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He and Jo were married in 1952 and have two children, Tim and Amy Weston. "Our parents were at the forefront of arguably the most important era of evolution in American popular music," said Tim Weston, who also leads Corinthian Records and Soul Coast Productions. He adds, "Their collection of recordings, arrangements, scores, papers and memorabilia from the '40s, '50s, and early '60s will provide a significant amount of research material for those interested in learning more about this time in recorded American music." The University of Arizona School of Music holds several prominent American music collections, such as those of Artie Shaw and Nelson Riddle. For more information visit http://web.cfa.arizona.edu/music/research or contact Keith Pawlak, Music Curator, at keithp@email.arizona.edu, or 520-626-5242

The marketing ploy of record companies to record popular string orchestras under pseudonymous names such as 101 Strings, Living Strings and Romantic Strings, is well known and an established practice in the popular music industry writes Reuben Musiker. There are countless examples. The 101 Strings were particularly prolific. This orchestra released scores of titles in the 1950’s and 1960’s covering the great American popular composers such as Kern, Porter, Romberg, Gershwin, Carmichael, Youmans, Rodgers and many others. It is perhaps not well known that the outstanding American arranger Monty Kelly orchestrated the following discs in this series: ‘Soul of Spain’ (2 vols), ‘Soul of Mexico’, ‘Spanish Eyes’, ‘Fire and Romance of South America’, ‘Fire and Romance of Lecuona’. The Living Strings recorded a great number of LPs for the RCA Camden label. Principal arranger/conductor for 70 to 80 of them was Johnny Douglas. Hill Bowen also arranged and conducted a good many of them, some of his best known being ‘Too Beautiful for Words’, ‘Shimmering Sounds’ and ‘Music For Romance’. Other arranger/conductors in this series were Geraldo, Chucho Zarzosa and Bob Sharples. The Romantic Strings were a feature of Reader’s Digest albums from the 1950s onwards. They recorded many albums totalling 250 tracks. The arrangers/conductors were not generally identified, but definitely included Hill Bowen, Robert Bentley, Norman Percival and probably many more.

Tony Foster was a guest presenter at a recent meeting of the Sinatra Music Society’s Sussex branch at the Chatsworth Hotel in Eastbourne. He has also reminded us that the Edmund Hockridge Appreciation Society will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary next year. Tony’s parents Edna and Percy Foster worked hard to get EHAS successfully launched all those years ago, and they are still remembered with affection by the members. We need hardly add that both Edna and Percy were actively involved with the RFS, and their friendly presence at our meetings is greatly missed by us all. However it is good that Tony is now a familiar face among us all at the Bonnington, and you will have seen him chatting with David Farnon on page 34 of our last issue.

By the time that you are reading this issue the Gowers Review may have been published. As we went to press we were unable to get any firm information from the Government department involved, so there is no indication of what the outcome is likely to be. There could be serious implications for the future of CD releases in Britain if the period of sound copyright is extended, and we will obviously keep you fully informed of developments in the future.

There’s something always uplifting singing a hymn with a large brass band, especially a Salvation Army Band, but this was no ordinary service but a celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Don Lusher OBE. True to his Salvationist roots, for it was where he learned the craft of brass playing, we were among his family, friends and many fellow musicians and admirers who packed the Central London Salvation Army’s Regent Hall on September 25^th 2006 to remember one of Britain’s greatest trombonists whose career covered a wide range of musical stylesDon was always eager pass on his experience to others and for many years was closely associated with The Royal Marines School of Music becoming their Professor of Trombone for many years and it was a Brass Quintet of RMS Portsmouth that played Humoresque by Dvorak and Pachelbel’s Canon two familiar pieces in a very different instrumental setting.Sheila Tracy, who skilfully compered the proceedings, then introduced us to "The Best Of British Jazz", a group of top musicans founded in the 1970s which featured Don and Kenny Baker’s trumpet amongst others. The personnel has changed over the years and today is fronted by trumpeter Digby Fairweather with Roy Williams filling the trombone spot, Roy Willox on alto and Brian Dee on piano; they swung their way effortlessly through some familiar Jazz standards.There was a time when BBC TV produced Light Entertainment programmes of quality with very classy production values, and often the credits revealed the producer to be Yvonne Littlewood OBE who explained how she had met Don during the series "The Best of Both Worlds" . She recalled how she had worked on programmes with "the lovely Robert Farnon" and how Don became her first call on her shows. In 1979 she produced Don in his own hour long TV Special. It was special enough for the great Nelson Riddle to arrange and conduct a piece for Don. It was during that programme that ten -yes ten! - trombones played a Pete Smith arrangement of Grieg’s "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" and onto the stage came ten trombonists, in fact some the best in the business including Gordon Campbell, Chris Dean, Bobby Lamb, Bill Geldard and Mark Nightingale to play that very arrangement.Derek Boulton then recalled his early meeting with Don and his involvement, as his agent, in the many tours and projects involving Don’s Big Band, who had taken over the Ted Heath Band Book and continued to play the music culminating in the Final Ted Heath Concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall in 2000. It fell to another Salvationist and trombonist Barry Forgie who then introduced and conducted the Don Lusher Big Band. Barry hails from Peterborough, as indeed did Don and Barry recalled how Don’s trombone skills were being acknowledged amongst his fellow Salvationists even then. The Don Lusher Big Band began their last and final appearance with Don’s own "DL Blues" and his highly successful "Carnaby Chick". Sheila Southern sang a lovely version of "Everytime We Say Goodbye" and the band closed with a rousing version Ray Anthony’s "Mr Anthony’s Boogie". Don’s sons David and Philip thanked everyone for attending.

Gordon Langford then explained how he had worked with Don on the "Rhapsody for Trombone and Brass Band" which Gordon had written for the 1975 Brass Band Championship Gala and an extract from Don’s recording closed the service. It was fitting that a Memorial Fund is being established in Don’s name by the Salvation Army to help disadvantaged youngsters with musical ambitions realise their potential. Don would have approved. Albert Killman

JUMPING BEAN
Dateline October 2006

JUMPING BEAN

Eric Coates’ Calling all Workers was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 9^th September as part of the Last Night of the Proms.

Tony Bennett celebrated his 80^th birthday with the release of a new album in August called "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" on which he duets with some of today’s biggest names, such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall, Michael Buble, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney and instrumental musical guests such as trumpeter Chris Botti. To coincide with the release of Bennett’s new album a star-studded one hour music special was televised on NBC in America, directed by Rob Marshall, the director of the recent hit film musical Chicago. In addition, a feature length documentary about Bennett’s life is in preparation with the intention to release in 2007 and is being executive produced by Clint Eastwood.

The power of orchestral music has been demonstrated when the producers of the recent thriller "The Da Vinci Code" were told to tone down the sound mix for Hans Zimmer’s score because British film censors felt that the tension and volume of the music would be too intense for children. They threatened to give the higher "15" classification if they failed to comply.

Matthew Curtis tells us that he has just finished recording a CD of his songs to be released by Campion Records later this year to complement the 3 discs of his orchestral music already issued by Campion. The 30 songs, in four cycles, are performed by the critically acclaimed British soprano Marie Vassiliou accompanied at the piano by Gavin Sutherland, and are all settings of poems by Anne Harris (1926-1990), a life-long friend of Matthew’s mother Jean.

Naxos is releasing a CD with Richard Hayman and his Orchestra called "Irish Rhapsody". It features Macnamara’s Band, Irish Tune from Country Derry, Irish Suite arranged by Leroy Anderson, and many others.

Also from Naxos are two Broadway Cast recordings of Jule Styne’s "High Button Shoes" and "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" from 1947 and 1949 respectively, starring Carol Channing and Yvonne Adair.

British television composer Nicholas Hooper has been appointed to write the score for the next Harry Potter film. He will compose the score for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" which is due to be released in July 2007. He will follow in the footsteps of Hollywood composer John Williams, who wrote the scores for the first three Harry Potter films, and Scotsman Patrick Doyle, who composed the most recent film.

Following the success of "Filmharmonic 1", a second CD has been released by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra featuring 16 tracks, including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Midnight Cowboy, Dead Poets Society, Oliver Twist, and a suite from The Truth about Love composed and conducted by Debbie Wiseman.

Due for release on 21th August by Gambit Records is a 24 track compliation CD featuring David Rose and his Orchestra called "Music of the Stripper". Tracks include What is This Thing Called Love, Mood Indigo, St Louis Blues, Harlem Nocturne, Walk on the Wild Side, and of course, The Stripper.

A new 2 CD set available exclusively through the UK mail-order company Nostalgia Direct is called "Moonlight Serenade – The Very Best of Geoff Love and Manuel and the Music of the Mountains" and features a total of 48 tracks.

Admirer’s of Ray Conniff may be interested to learn that the Ray Conniff International Fan Club Convention is to be held in Hamburg, Germany, from May 17 to May 20, 2007. Thursday, May 17 is a public holiday so nothing is planned for that night except a get together for dinner. The convention will officially begin with a reception on Friday evening. Further details will be available on-line on Manfred’s Ray Conniff web site. You can also email Manfred at mthoenicke@web.de

A new DVD box set of the cult TV series "The Champions" will contain all episodes from the series and many interesting special features, including interviews, audio commentaries and documentaries. At the time of going to press, it is understood the extras also include nearly 30 minutes of incidental music composed by Edwin Astley, Robert Farnon and Albert Elms arranged as a suite, and a different main title sequence featuring the unused theme by Robert Farnon.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline June 2006

John Parry writes: Regarding the new Haydn Wood coll-ection on Guild Light Music - all these years we have had the problem of getting people to pronounce his first name correctly. I have another interesting factor for those who do not know the West Riding of Yorkshire. I spent two years in Bradford apprenticed in the wool trade. Slaithwaite, where Haydn Wood was born, is just outside this city and is pronounced by the locals "Slowitt", as in Jowitt,  which was a car manufactured in Bradford in the fifties, sixties and maybe later. So I suspect Haydn had quite a job when moving to London, although the Isle of Man was probably easier!

Tony Bradley has sent us the following message: I have recently created a website dedicated to the memory and career of Denny Dennis. It is my hope that the website will allow a wider and possibly new audience to learn more about his talent. One of my main aims is to realise a CD reissue of some of Denny's later post-war material. This phase of Denny's career led to some of his very finest recordings, especially the dozen recordings that were made with the Robert Farnon Orchestra. Very little of this material has been reissued over the years. I have contacted several record companies with my proposal, but with no success to date. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas, suggestions, or contacts that might help. Any advice will be gratefully received. I can be contacted through the website, which is located at: www.dennydennis.co.uk

One of the highlights of the Robert Farnon Society’s recent London Meeting was the live musical entertainment in the evening provided by Ann Adams and the Ladies’ Palm Court Quartet. As readers will know, Ann is always looking to increase the repertoire of the various ensembles she directs, and she wonders if members can help her with the following queries. There was a piece of music in the film "Miss Pilgrim’s Progress" known as The Cycling Theme which may have been composed by Philip Martell (credited with the film’s score) or possibly Ronald Hanmer – if a piece of library music was used. Ann would love to hear this piece, and learn who the real composer was; she also wonders if any member could provide her with a recording of Fairground Polka by Franz Salmhofer. There is some urgency involved here, which is why Ann’s request has not been included in our "Ask JIM" feature. If you can help, please contact Ann by telephone on 020 8440 1050.

Shortly before we went to press, Bob Vivian kindly sent us a draft of the programme he was planning to conduct for a concert featuring the Birmingham Schools’ Concert Orchestra at the Adrian Boult Hall on Saturday 13 May. It was a tribute to Ron Goodwin who was a patron of the orchestra from 1992 until his untimely death in 2003 at the age of 77. Among Ron’s great film themes Bob chose Where Eagles Dare, Frenzy, Monte Carlo or Bust, 633 Squadron, Miss Marple’s Theme, The Trap and Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines. Ron’s close colleague, Ron Shillingford, provided much help in organizing the concert.

We have previously mentioned Angel Radio which broadcasts in Hampshire, UK. John Watson writes to tell us about two regular programmes he presents which he feels would be of interest to RFS members: "Angel Radio Tea Dance" featuring half and hour of dance music on the 1940s and 1950s – Tuesdays 4:00pm; and "Nice & Easy" playing half an hour of the best in Light Music – Thursdays 7:30pm with a repeat Sundays 10:30am. For details visit the website: www.angelradio.co.uk

James Beyer made some very kind comments about our Society in the March edition of his Edinburgh Light Orchestra Newsletter. James wrote: Congratulations to the Robert Farnon Society on reaching its half-century. Following the half-yearly meeting on Sunday 2 April when light music aficionados will revel in an afternoon of musical entertainment, members of the Society will complete their day at London’s Bonnington Hotel with a Celebration Dinner in the evening. The Society has become the foremost organisation for light music enthusiasts and boasts a worldwide membership that is the envy of other appreciation groups in the field of light music. Take a look at the Society’s magazine alone – ‘Journal Into Melody’ – and you will see what I mean. Not only is it one of the most professionally produced periodicals currently available, it is packed full of information and interesting articles for devotees of light music. ….Happy 50^th Anniversary RFS – here’s to the future! The Edinburgh Light Orchestra’s concert on Saturday 27 May featured, for the first time, two compositions by Angela Morley: the delightfully romantic Reverie for Violin and Strings and, in a more dramatic yet equally melodic vein, The Liaison. The late Trevor Duncan was also remembered with his March from ‘A Little Suite’.

A recent letter we received from Horace Bennett recalls the time when he first started attending our London Meetings and enthusiastically bought up 78s, whatever their condition. He continues: "When we got them home I played them as soon as possible. The quality of the music was what mattered, with the quality of the reproduction coming in a distant also-ran. In this way we made our first delighted acquaintance with such gems as Mr. Punch, Swing Hoe and Rush Hour. A few days ago we made a similar first acquaintance with Royal Walkabout (Carlin 179), prompted to order it by Robert Walton’s essay on Tête à Tête in the current JIM. It is indeed, to us, a notable and most welcome discovery. (Incidentally is he the Robert Walton whose Theatrical Overture is another delightful discovery on the same CD? Editor: Yes!) But Royal Walkabout is, we are told, a ‘reworking’ of Tête à Tête. It whets the appetite for the original work. How do the two versions differ? Mr. Walton refers to the ‘trotting’ tempo of Frankel’s Carriage and Pair which seems to suggest that the earlier piece was somewhat quicker. What other changes were made? Curiosity is aroused. According to the footnote Tête à Tête has not been made available on CD because the original recording contains some imperfections which presumably cannot be Cedared out. Referring back to my experience as a buyer-up of discarded shellacs, I would aver that we can be a hardy lot, not easily deterred by ‘some imperfections’ when the alternative may be to lose altogether irreplaceable gems. The wartime recordings of Bob’s Canadian Band of the AEF are not of the standard one would expect of recordings made today, but they are bought, played and greatly appreciated despite that. I would suggest that when (as in the case of Tête à Tête) only an imperfect recording of a significant work exists, it would be preferable to reissue it on CD with a caveat, rather than let it fall into oblivion". Editor: Horace certainly makes a strong case in favour of reissuing Tête à Tête. Maybe his enthusiasm will be rewarded one day!

Alan Hamer reminds us that the Miklos Rozsa centenary will occur on 18 April 2007. Alan would be delighted to hear from any RFS members who would like to learn more about this great composer, who is remembered through The Miklos Rozsa Society. You can contact Alan at: 37 Brunswick Park Gardens, London, N11 1EJ, England.

Andre Leon went back to his native South Africa early in May to visit his family in Durban and also to meet up with friends at Classic FM in Johannesburg. He told us: "It will be an opportunity to relate to everyone also the continuing dedication to Light Music which The Robert Farnon Society promotes from the UK worldwide. As ‘London Correspondent’ I will have the opportunity to tell SA listeners about the very successful and happy occasion when the RFS celebrated their 50th Anniversary. It was a great evening!"

Just released by Dutton Epoch – British Light Music Premieres Volume 3. Ernest Tomlinson – Rhythmic Overture Highway to the Sun; Victor Hely-Hutchinson – Overture to a Pantomime; Clifton Parker – Elizabethan Express film music; Phillip Lord – Three Court Dances, Celtic Suite; Anthony Hedges – West Oxford Walks; Carlo Martelli – Overture Celebration Day; James Langley – Ballet Suite Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Gavin Sutherland and Paul Murphy. CDLX 7170.

Please remember! Articles, features, letters, small advertisements and news items for this magazine should now be sent direct to our Editor David Ades.

This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And you will keep trying it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot. But you can't!!!

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction!!!
We told you so... And there is nothing you can do about it!

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline March 2006

■ Mrs. Judith Walsh, the daughter of Robert Farnon and his former wife Joanne, wrote recently to tell us about her son Thomas who seems to be following in the family’s musical tradition. Tom was 14 last June, and during the summer holidays he was busking on Colchester High Street every Friday afternoon playing jazz trumpet. On one of those occasions, Thomas was playing outside the George Hotel, and he was heard by a jazz double bassist who happened to be a committee member of the Association of British Jazz Musicians (ABJM). The man was Eddie Johnson, who was visiting from Southend to enjoy an anniversary dinner with his wife. While in their hotel room, Eddie happened to hear Thomas playing on the street below. He went down to have a good listen, and contacted Bill Ashton (director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra) to recommend Thomas. So now Thomas is in his element, playing at NYJO rehearsals every Saturday morning, along with his trumpet and flugelhorn. He has joined the Musicians’ Union, using the name Tom Farnon-Walsh in honour of his famous grandfather and their shared love of the trumpet!

■ RFS member Brian Luck presented a Tribute to Robert Farnon at Hornchurch Library last November.

■ James Beyer continues to spoil the good people of Scotland’s capital city with excellent concerts performed by his Edinburgh Light Orchestra. Last November he included a tribute to Robert Farnon with Derby Day, The Westminster Waltz and Portrait Of A Flirt. The concert programmes for these events are always a mine of information about the music and the composers. The next concert will be on 27 May, and details are available from James Beyer, 4 St John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT.

■ RFS member Mike Carey hosts a popular weekly radio show on BBC Radio Derby, at 4.00pm every Sunday afternoon. "Memorable Melodies" can now be heard throughout the world via the internet: www.bbc.co.uk/derby. The show includes light music, big bands, great vocalists and soundtracks from Hollywood, Broadway and West End musicals. Mike would be delighted to hear from fellow RFS members and play their requests (if possible!). He was one of several RFS members featured in last year’s BBC Four documentary "Music for Everybody".

■ RFS member Alan Willmott has recently produced a new film for his Windjammer Films company. Entitled "Along The Curved And Narrow", it tells the story of the progress of the privately operated steam hauled narrow-gauge passenger carrying railways around the British Isles. Eight of the eleven railways featured are situated in Wales, and can trace their origins to mining areas and quarries. Alan tells us that a DVD release is possible later in the year, and we will naturally let you have details if this happens.

■ Towards the end of last year Ray Purslow was concerned to learn that a rumour was circulating saying that his Record Store in Birmingham was closing down. Ray assures us that this is not true - in fact he has recently signed a new three-year lease. Ray is now one of the few retailers still offering expert advice and a first-class service to regular clients.

■ Our Canadian representative Pip Wedge usually covers local concerts in his regular column, but we would like to add our own congratulations to Charles Job and his Palm Court Orchestra following a splendid concert last September/October. The guest conductor was another Canadian RFS member Marc Fortier, who waved the baton for some of his own compositions, as well as works by the likes of Haydn Wood, Clive Richardson, Eric Coates and Leroy Anderson. Robert Farnon was represented with A La Claire Fontaine. As a local paper reviewer reported: ‘Marc Fortier certainly kept the orchestra on their toes all evening, in the process evincing some of the finest playing I’ve yet heard from them – lush and full-bodied, with every instrument making its presence felt and ensemble as tight as one could wish.’

■ The winter issue of Classic Record Collector mentioned the Leslie Jones recordings of Robert Farnon’s music in a long article. An accompanying photo showed Leslie and his son holding a copy of the Farnon LP. [Thanks to Nigel Burlinson for this information].

■ In April Taragon Records will be issuing a 2 on 1 CD containing the two extremely rare albums originally made for the Japanese market KOGA MELODIES and RYOICHI HATTORI MELODIES. The original LPs were never issued in America although KOGA MELODIES had a limited release in Europe from CBS Holland. At the same time Taragon will issue the only other Faith album not already available on CD - FOOTBALL SONGS (also known as TOUCHDOWN!) Alan Bunting has been a driving force behind these reissues.

■ Around the time that you receive this issue, a new Dutton Vocalion CD will be released featuring the music of Anthony Collins. Among many rarities on this must-have CD are Festival Royal Overture, Symphony for Strings, Louis XV Silhouettes and film scores such as Victoria the Great, Odette and The Lady with a Lamp. Naturally Collins’ most famous piece Vanity Fair is also on the list. The sessions took place at Watford last September, with John Wilson conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra (Vocalion CDLX7162). Other releases in the same batch feature a cycle of music by Richard Arnell (CDLX7161) and the Lochrian Ensemble performing the romantic String Quartets of Edgar Bainton and Hubert Clifford (CDLX7164). Details of a further selection of Easy Listening CDs for release this March were not available as we went to press, but no doubt we will have a lot of good news for you in June!

■ Gary Williams was in the Abbey Road studios from 6-9^th February recording his latest CD "In the Lounge with Gary Williams".

Alan Bunting has reported that he is investigating a claim that some of his restorations of Percy Faith recordings, currently available on Living Era's DELICADO 2CD set, and in which he holds the copyright, may have appeared on another label without his or Living Era's permission.

Glenn Adams likes the music of Albert Sandler, and wonders if many of his recordings have been reissued on CDs. He is aware of two, as he explains: "I have two and you may be interested in them for other members of the society.  They are both excellent, one is "Albert Sandler with The Palm Court Orchestra and his Trio" It's on the Music and Memories label No MMD 1058 PO Box 99, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 3YD. The other one I have is "Albert Sandler & His Orchestra at the Park Lane Hotel, London" with Jack Byfield, piano and Reginald Kilbey, Cello. This one is on the Pearl 'Flapper' label from Pavilion Records Ltd, Sparrows Green, Wadhurst, East Sussex,England. It is excellent and has some lovely old recordings, one of my favourites being "With you" a fox-trot with a vocal solo by a lady called Marjorie Stedeford who had a really lovely voice."

The long running legal disagreement between EMI and Naxos in the USA has been settled, according to a report in the March issue of ‘The Gramophone’. The result is that a large number of Naxos CDs will no longer be available in the USA. The losers are going to be music lovers, and it is a warning to us all about what will happen if the present 50-year copyright on sound recordings in the UK is extended.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline December 2005

■ The North American premiere of Robert Farnon’s Symphony No. 3 is scheduled to take place appropriately in Robert Farnon's homeland, Canada. William Eddins will conduct the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra on Sunday 20 November 2005. The concert at the Francis Winspear Centre for Music commences at 2.00pm. As we go to press we understand that the concert will be recorded and subsequently broadcast on CBC Radio in Canada. It should be available worldwide via the internet. Our Canadian representative says that the broadcast is unlikely to happen before December, and he will let us have further details when known. This information will appear in the ‘Latest News’ section of our website.

■ In his September Newsletter to friends of the Edinburgh Light Orchestra, James Beyer included a long and thoughtful appreciation of the premiere of Robert Farnon’s Symphony No. 3 in Edinburgh last May. James also reported on the Memorial Service in London on 24 July, when he spoke eloquently of the way in which Bob’s music was enjoyed by amateur musicians. As we have observed on previous occasions, the good people of Edinburgh are indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated champion of Light Music in their midst. Hopefully many of them will have attended the ELO’s recent concert on Saturday 12 November at the Queen’s Hall. For regular information on the orchestra’s concerts, you should contact James Beyer at 4 St John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT.

■ The Robert Farnon Memorial Concert was also well covered in the August /September issue of Crescendo & Jazz Music. Musician Duncan Lamont wrote about the time he had declined a Bob Farnon session, because he felt that a lack of recent experience meant that he might have let Bob down. He talked about "a kind of spirituality about Bob’s recording sessions and he never had to raise his voice. Bob was an extremely kind and thoughtful man but he was, I imagine, extremely complex and that’s where his music comes into its own. Otherwise, it would be just lovely, instead of wonderful". In the same issue Brian Gladwell reported at length about the service itself, and what each of the speakers had said. He concluded: "I never met Robert Farnon, nor had I occasion to speak to him on the phone, but after thus wonderfully uplifting service I felt I knew him".

■ Derek Boulton received a friendly message from Vincent Falcone soon after he learned of Bob’s passing. Vinnie wrote: "Thanks for sending me the picture and memorial booklets. I’m so sorry that I could not see him one more time before his passing. He meant a great deal to me."

■ The September issue of the BBC Music Magazine included an article by Brian Kay called "Let There be Light Music". Brian tied his article in with the BBC Four documentary "Music for Everybody", which he narrated, and covered the Light music scene of around 50 years ago, leading up to today’s revival of interest. He concluded: "…there is more Light Music available today on commercial recordings than there ever was during the supposed ‘golden age’, and this clearly indicates a thirst for it among the record-buying public. Younger listeners are tuning in; where older ones turned away and sought pastures new, they are returning and with the help of those adventurous record companies, and always, hopefully, the BBC, light music at its brightest and best will surely survive well into the 21^st century".

■ The motto of the Order of Canada is "DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM" - they Desire a Better Country. Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson has announced That Diana Krall has been named Officer of the Order of Canada. She comes from Nanaimo, British Columbia, is one of Canada's most famous musicians. Back in 1997, Diana Krall performed at the special Ottawa concerts in honour of Robert Farnon’s 80^th birthday year. Diana joins a growing list of Canada's jazz elite who have been given this country's highest cilvilian honour. The list includes Peter Appleyard (a member of the RFS), Tommy Banks, Guido Basso, Ed Bickert, Charlie Biddle, Jane Bunnett, Terry Clarke, Oliver Jones, Moe Koffman, Fraser MacPherson, Rob McConnell, Phil Nimmons, Oscar Peterson, Doug Riley and Rick Wilkins.

■ On the same evening that BBC Four was showing two memorable programmes about Light Music, at least two excellent concerts were offering the same fare to live audiences. Malcolm Frazer told us about the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Barry Wordsworth at the Fairfield Concert Hall, Croydon. The concert included Warsaw Concerto (Richard Addinsell), Barwick Geen (Arthur Wood), Westminster Waltz (Robert Farnon), Cornish Rhapsody (Hubert Bath), Devil’s Galop & Rhythm on Rails (Charles Williams), Coronation Scot (Vivian Ellis) plus no less than four works by Eric Coates plus pieces by Malcolm Arnold, Frederick Delius and Benjamin Britten.

■ More light music could be heard at St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster on Wednesday 24 August, where a large audience heard Dam Busters (Eric Coates), Belle of the Ball (Leroy Anderson), and a Tribute to Robert Farnon (arr. Duthoit) alongside show tunes and ballet music. The conductor of the Merton Concert Band was Martin Bruce, but RFS member Brian Reynolds was persuaded to take the stand to conduct his own Tarantella.

■ There is a special website on the internet where relatives and friends are invited to include their own special messages is remembrance of loved ones who have departed. The site is called ‘Relatives Remembered’ and Robert Farnon is included. You can visit this site at www.relrem.com

■ RFS member David Barton is willing to assist any fellow members wanting information on the existence of sheet music and/or music scores of any genres of music. He has extensive contacts at most publishers, and is experienced in assisting people searching for particular works. You can write to David Barton at: 72 Courtfield Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4UG, ENGLAND; e-mail dcmbarton@blueyonder.co.uk This helpful service has been mentioned in previous issues of our magazine. David has specially asked us to request that any members sending in handwritten enquiries about sheet music should write clearly. He has recently received several requests that have been almost illegible, requiring additional correspondence to ascertain exactly what is required. If you have a typewriter (or better still a computer) please use it … it makes things so much easier!

■ A number of members have written to express their sadness that other commitments prevented them from attending the Memorial Service to Robert Farnon on 24 July. Typical was a letter from Reg Arthur: "I was lucky to have known Robert Farnon over the years through my association with the BBC in London, where it was my privilege to serve the Radio Orchestra as librarian which splendidly interpreted Bob’s orchestrations on so many memorable occasions over the years. Unfortunately Bob’s visits to the BBC in London were restricted for contractual reasons due to his residence in Guernsey, so the ‘buzz word’ among musicians went around – Bob’s coming over! "

■ During his speech at the Memorial Service, Iain Sutherland said that he was busily trying to raise the necessary funds to cover the expense of making a commercial recording of Robert Farnon’s Symphony No. 3. After the service, Iain was approached by a member of our Society who generously pledged £2000 towards the recording costs. There is no news at present of a likely recording, but this illustrates the extent to which some music lovers are prepared to go to perpetuate the memory of Robert Farnon.

■ Tony Foster has advised us that the July 2005 edition of the Elgar Society newsletter includes an interview with Mike Dutton, in which he talks about his early days in the record business, and what prompted him to set up his own highly praised company Dutton Laboratories.

■ There are two Robert Farnon tracks on a new 2-CD release called "Café London" CAF800153 – Flirtation Walk and Yes We Have No Bananas. Other light orchestras among the 50 tracks include Ron Goodwin (Jet Journey & Skiffling Strings), Stanley Black (Falling in Love with Love & From Here to Eternity), Mantovani (Charmaine & Dancing with Tears in my Eyes), Cyril Stapleton (For Always, Carnavalito & Meet Mr Callaghan), Frank Chacksfield (Limelight & Ebb Tide), and George Melachrino (Cole Porter Fantasy). Vocalists include the ‘usual suspects’ – George Formby, Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields. But mainly it seems to be an instrumental collection, with the likes of Kenny Baker, Joe Loss, Winifred Atwell and Eddie Calvert.

■ The latest issue of The Light Music Society Newsletter (Autumn 2005) carries a forthright message from the Chairman, Ernest Tomlinson, making the case for pressure to be placed on the BBC to increase the amount of air time it allocates to Light Music on the radio. There is also the story of the man who composed the famous ITN signature tune Non Stop. The pseudonym ‘John Malcolm’ hides the true identity of John Batt, a successful lawyer. Other features include listings of forthcoming concerts, and news of music played on radio and television. We know that some RFS members wonder if our two societies duplicate the same kind of material in their magazines, but this is rarely the case. Anyone who wants to be kept fully informed of all that is going on in the wide world of Light Music owes it to themselves to belong to both societies!

■ The anagram of "Vivian Ellis’s Coronation Scot" is: Violins in octaves; train's cool. It’s amazing what you find on the internet!

New Mantovani Biography

Mantovani - A Lifetime in Music by Colin MacKenzie has just been published by MelroseBooks (Book Sales), St Thomas Place, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4GG (tel +44 (0) 1353 646608) on the occasion of the centenary of Mantovani's birth on 15^th November 1905.

Their e-mail address is sales@melrosebooks.com and their website is
www.,melrosebooks.com. This is a 352 page deluxe hardback, telling the full
story of Mantovani's remarkable musical career plus much else besides. There
are about 80 photographs integrated into the text, many of which have not
been previously seen. The book can be ordered direct from Melrose at £18.99
or US $29.99. The UK postage rate is £2 per book, plus £1 for each additional
copy, Europe is £3 (or $6), USA £4 (or $8) per book, plus $2 for each
additional copy. The ISBN No. is 1 905226 19 5. The book should also be
available online and at UK retail outlets.

The Christmas releases from Mike Dutton’s Vocalion label offer some great ideas for presents (to oneself?). Full track-listing details were not available as we went to press, but the following list will give you a good idea of what’s on offer:

CDLK4300 Franck Pourcel Thinking of You / The Importance of your Love
CDLK4302 Ron Goodwin In Concert / Plays Burt Bacharach
CDLK4306 Pepe Jaramillo Moonlight in Mexico / Meets Manuel
CDLK4309 Ted Heath Salutes Tommy Dorsey & Benny Goodman
CDLK4310 Edmundo Ros Ros Remembers
CDLK4312 Ted Heath Decca Singles and Rarities – Volume 3
CDLK4316 Ronnie Aldrich Where The Sun Is / For Young Lovers
CDLK4317 Mantovani All American Showcase
CDLK4319 Kenneth McKellar The Tartan / Scottish Saturday Night
CDLK4320 Mantovani Evening with Mantovani / More Mantovani Magic
CDLK4322 Frank Chacksfield Film Festival (this includes Robert Farnon’s ‘Irena’ from "Shalako") / King of Kings
CDLK4323 Stanley Black Blockbusters from Broadway / Broadway Spectacular
CDEA6110 Geraldo Parlophone compilation
CDVS1945 Harry James Trumpet Time
Sheet Music of Robert Farnon’s compositions

The Secretary is receiving an increasing number of requests for sheet music of Light Music compositions by Robert Farnon and other composers. This is sometimes required for concert performances, or simply to play on the piano at home. Kindly note that the RFS does not supply sheet music.

Many publishers now contract out their music libraries to specialist companies, so it is often difficult to know who to approach. In the case of Robert Farnon, the following addresses may be helpful:

Caroline Underwood, Warner Chappell Music Group Ltd., The Warner Building, 28 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4EP – telephone 0207 938 0000; fax 0207 368 2777.

This is the Music Vault, Griffin House, 161 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 8BS – telephone 0208 222 9210 (ask for Vicky in Archives).

Concord Music Hire Library, 5 Bushley Close, Old Barn Lane, Kenley, Surrey, CR8 5AU – telephone 0208 660 4766; fax 0208 668 5273.

The Light Music Society Library, Lancaster Farm, Chipping Lane, Longridge, Preston, PR3 2NB – telephone 01772 783646; fax 01772 786026.

Naturally all these organisations will make a charge for hiring out music.

RFS member David Barton is willing to assist any fellow members wanting information on the existence of sheet music and/or music scores of any genres of music. He has extensive contacts at most publishers, and is experienced in assisting people searching for particular works. You can write to David Barton at: 72 Courtfield Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4UG, ENGLAND; e-mail dcmbarton@blueyonder.co.uk If sending in a request in handwriting, please ensure that your requirements are written clearly.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline September 2005

■ Earlier this year we received an e-mail from Mark Sobolev, who introduced himself as a nephew of Monia Liter. He has a fascinating story to tell about the family, especially the period in Shanghai and Russia during the early years of the last century – we hope that his reminiscences can form the basis for a future article about Monia. Mark now lives in Israel, where he is a cellist with the Ashod Chamber Orchestra. Sadly the political situation in the Soviet Union prevented him from ever meeting his famous uncle, although more recently he has performed in London.

■ That great Ray Conniff fan, Manfred Thönicke, published the final printed edition of ‘S Conniff in May. Increasing personal commitments had finally forced Manfred to accept that the work in producing the magazine was becoming too onerous, so Ray’s fans in future will have to rely upon information in several web sites on the internet dedicated to his music. His magazines (which he started in 1981) were always of a high standard, and we are sure that Manfred will continue his appreciation of Ray, using the latest technology now available. We wish him well in his future endeavours.

■ British members may like to know that there is a club devoted to the BBC Concert Orchestra. Since this is the only major BBC orchestra that still performs Light Music, it deserves the support of all of us. For membership details write to: BBC Concert Orchestra Club, PO Box 213, Baldock, SG7 6ZP.

■ Frank Comstock was 18 years only when he joined Benny Carter’s Band, and sat next to J.J. Johnson. Also in the line-up at that time were Gerald Wilson and Snooky Young. Just recently there has been renewed interest in the "Tangence" CD that JJ and Bob made together – resulting in the Grammy for the best orchestral arrangement of xxxx.

■ According to some recent research by RFS member Alan Keeling, two Robert Farnon LPs ("From the Highlands" and "From the Emerald Isle") were used during ITA trade test transmissions in 1960/61. Both these fine LPs are now available on one Vocalion CD – CDLK4100.

■ Alexander Schatte tells us the the correct spelling of the composer of Little Jumping Jack (on Guild GLCD5114) is Ralph Maria Siegel (1911-1971). He wrote this piece (original title Kleiner Hampelmann) in 1941 for the female singer Ilse Werner, and also wrote the lyrics for this popular tune.

■ Brian Henson reports that Nigel Ogden remember Bob Farnon in his BBC Radio-2 programme "The Organist Entertains" on 17 May. Nigel played Journey Into Melody (performed by John Giacchi), How Beautiful is Night (William Davies) and Jumping Bean (Jim Riggs).

■ The next concert by James Beyer and The Edinburgh Light Orchestra will be on 12 November. For more details contact James at 4 St. John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT.

■ Allan Bula attended the concert on 10 July by The Waldron Light Orchrestra conducted by Herbie Flowers as previewed recently in JIM. The programme included Puffin’ Billy (Edward White) and Jumping Bean – as a tribute to Robert Farnon.

The Memorial Service for Robert Farnon was held on Sunday 24 July at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, attended by many RFS members and celebrities who knew and worked with Bob during his long career. A full report will appear in our next issue. A recording of the proceedings will also be made available to RFS members.

As mentioned in the Editorial, British readers should keep an eye on the television schedules for BBC Four this autumn. Light Music will be featured in at least two programmes – one of them a broadcast of "Friday Night is Music Night" recorded at the Mermaid Theatre on 5 August. John Wilson conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra in a superb selection of British Light Music – radio listeners to BBC Radio-2 will have heard the entire concert ‘live’, and TV viewers will probably be treated to the highlights in a one-hour show. Also coming up is a special feature about Light Music in the years following World War 2. Andy King-Dabbs is producing what promises to be a fascinating selection of reminiscences, including interviews with Ernest Tomlinson and Trevor Duncan. RFS Secretary David Ades has been helping out with some archive material, and it is possible that Robert Farnon will be featured in a recording session with George Shearing at the CTS Studios. This comes from RFS Archives, and it is hoped that the necessary permission can be obtained for it to be screened. In our next issue we should be able to give you further information. Although BBC Four is currently only available on digital TV to around 55% of the UK population, the good news is that its programmes are often repeated, so you may be able to watch it more than once!

Be sure to scrutinise Radio 4's schedules for November and December. Producer Jolyon Jenkins is readying an hour long Mantovani programme, tentatively called "The Mantovani Sound" which will probably got out on a Saturday evening around 8 o'clock. These arrangements are, however, subject to change. More news as and when it is available.

Apologies to Miss Poulton!

In Jim Palm’s article "In The Beginning" (JIM 164, page 52) near the foot of column 2 his music teacher’s title is missing (no doubt ‘lost’ in the transfers between computers!). So ‘Poulton’ should read ‘Miss Poulton’. Jim also noticed that the Steel Foundry piece he mentioned was used recently in BBC-1’s "Picture of Britain" series.

Wilfred Askew has noticed a mistake in the date of birth given for Billy Vaughn in the notes for the Guild CD "Travellin’ Light". Billy was born on 12 April 1919, not 1931 as stated in error elsewhere. He died at the age of 72 on 26 September 1991.

A batch of CD releases this summer from Vocalion includes:

CDLK4271 Werner Muller On Broadway / Hawaiian Swing
CDLK4282 Maurice Larcange Paris for Lovers / Avec Moi a Paris
CDLK4299 Ronnie Aldrich All-Time Piano Hits / Melody and Percussion
CDLK4308 George Evans and his Symphony of Saxes Greatest for Dancing – Volumes 1 & 2
CDSA6813 Lance Ellington with John Wilson and his Orchestra Lessons in Love

More details of these, and other new releases from Vocalion, will appear in our next issue.

Our friends in other societies and publications have been generous in their praise of Robert Farnon’s great musical achievements. The Summer Newsletter of The Light Music Society paid a very nice tribute to Bob, and used the photograph from our March issue on their cover. Crescendo also had a colour photo of Bob on the cover of their June/July issue – the one which was featured on the front page of last December’s JIM. The Cinema Organ Society also praised Bob, describing him as ‘often imitated though seldom equalled’.

RECENT BRITISH DOCUMENTARY FILMS NOW ON DVD

Ray Clark has sent us details of several new releases which will certainly interest members who enjoy vintage documentary films, and the mood music that usually accompanies them. Pride of place must go to a new collection from the British Film Institute called "On and Off The Rails" (BFIVD590). This first volume, on 2 CDs, runs for over 260 minutes, and includes an interesting selection of 14 British Transport Films, with classic titles such as Blue Pullman (music by Clifton Parker), Elizabethan Express, Snowdrift at Bleath Gill and John Betjeman Goes By Train. The dates range from 1951 to 1980, and five films are in colour. The official price is around £20 but you may find it cheaper on the internet.

For an interesting catalogue of vintage films of many types, you may like to contact Panamint Cinema, Abercorn Schoolhouse, Newton, West Lothian, EH52 6PZ, Scotland (telephone 01506 834936, www.panamint.co.uk). "Roundabout – Volume 1" (PDC2015) features a collection of short ‘Cinemagazines’ from 1962-1974 made by Associated British Pathe for the Central Office of Information. These colour shorts have not previously been seen in Britain, because they were made specifically for showing in Australia and South East Asia. The running time is a bit mean at 56 minutes, considering the £20 price tag, but these are very rare films.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline June 2005

■ The Sidney Torch feature in the centre of this issue is thanks to Lew Williams, who has great admiration for Torch as a cinema organist before World War II. Lew also has plenty of admirers himself: as our member Robin King tells us, "Lew is a superb, very much respected musician. He is one of the world’s finest organists – both classical and theatre – equally well-known in UK organ circles as in the USA. He is resident organist at Organ Stop, Mesa, Arizona (a suburb of Phoenix) which has the world’s largest Wurlitzer housed in a public place … 5 manuals and 77 ranks. Awesome! There is more information (and some audio samples) at www.organstoppizza.com "

The March issue of The Gramophone included a full page article on Light Music by Andrew Lamb. Guild and Vocalion CDs were specifically mentioned.

A major light orchestral hardback biography is on its way, hopefully out in time for the centenary of Mantovani's birth on 15 November next. "Mantovani – A Lifetime In Music" tells of Mantovani's relentless quest for perfection in a musical career that lasted over 50 years. Written by Colin MacKenzie and to be published by Melrose Books, it follows the maestro's musical career in detail, from his early days as an aspiring classical musician, his dance band days of the 1930s, his activities as a musical director in the theatre and his successes in America and worldwide in the 1950s and up until his retirement in 1975. The author has had unique access to the Mantovani family, his record producers, arrangers, musicians and fans from various parts of the globe to provide a very detailed portrait of his life and times. It's the "full Monty", of interest to Mantovani fans everywhere, but also to anyone interested in light orchestral music and the history of popular music in the 20th century. More details as and when we have them.

Derek Boulton tells us an amusing story from Russia. In last September’s JIM we told you about the Russian singer Willi Tokarev, who is infatuated with the music of Robert Farnon. Willi lives in a block of flats in Moscow, which has been renovated from former army barracks. The old public address system is apparently still intact, and wired to all the flats. Each morning Willi wakes up his fellow residents to the strains of either Portrait of a Flirt or Westminster Waltz!

Paul Barnes is back on Saturday evenings. His radio show "Gold for Grown-Ups" from BBC Radio Norfolk (beamed to many BBC local stations in Eastern England) is no longer on Sundays (where it failed to reach its potential target audience) to Saturdays between 6.00pm and 9.00pm. Check the frequencies in Radio Times and tune in next week. Alternatively you can listen via the internet on the BBC website www.bbc.co.uk

Former BBC Radio-2 producer Anthony Wills now runs Golden Sounds Productions, but radio isn’t his only passion. He is also the Chairman of the National Piers Society, which publishes a fascinating magazine. If you’d like to know more, drop a line to the Membership Secretary: Phil Johnson, 26 Weatheroak Close, Webheath, Redditch, Worcestershire, B97 5TF, England.

Allan Bula has previously reported on the Hastings Light Orchestra, and the latest news is that it will join the Waldron Light Orchestra to perform a joint open-air concert near Lucas Hall, Waldron, on Sunday July 10^th from 3.00pm onwards. Waldron, an ancient village approx. three miles east of Uckfield, East Sussex, is in the Domesday Book as Waldrene (from ‘the forest house’) and acquired its modern spelling in 1336.

John Wilson conducted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on April 21^st at London’s Royal Albert Hall before a capacity audience (reports Tony Clayden). The Classic FM Live concert included popular items by Mozart, Vaughan Williams, Handel and Walton; the latter’s Spitfire Preldue and Fugue was given a particularly spirited performance. Two compositions by Saint-Saens were featured, the Carnival of the Animals and the finale of the Third Symphony, which showcased the recently rebuilt RAH organ. The programme concluded with Elgar’s Cello Concerto, with Julian Lloyd Webber as soloist. John has now done a lot with the RLPO, and the synergy between conductor and orchestra was most evident.

We are pleased to report that Ann Adams has been invited to play once again in a London park this summer. The venue is Kensington Gardens, on Sunday 31 July and as we go to press the concert is expected to start at 2.30 pm. If you plan to attend, you may care to ring Brian Reynolds beforehand (telephone number on inside front cover) to check that there have not been any last-minute changes.

Shelley Van Loen has just released a new CD – "In The Shade Of The Palms" - on her own PalmCourt Records label. Full details, plus a review, will appear in our next issue, but if you would like to order a copy before then you can telephone Shelley on 01869 351990.

Sound Copyright – the battle goes on! In April a New York Court of Appeal found in favour of Capitol in a dispute with Naxos. Initially this raised alarm bells since there seemed a prospect that record companies reissuing recordings over 50 years old could be prohibited from selling in the USA. However this appears to have been an over-reaction, and the suggestion has been made that Capitol’s win could prove to be a Pyrrhic victory. It is alleged that the judgement only applies to record companies with an office in New York (such as Naxos of America). Another complication is that a query has arisen as to whether EMI could assign rights to its Capitol subsidiary in recordings that had already fallen out of the 50-year copyright in Britain, and were therefore in the public domain. Clearly there are going to have to be even more court cases in an attempt to clear up what is becoming a very messy situation. One speculates as to how any judgement in one country could prevent the world-wide trade in CDs that now exists via the internet. The best answer for the major record companies would seem to be to exploit their own catalogues by bringing out reissues themselves, competitively priced, so that there would be no point in independents such as Naxos trying to gain a share of the market.

Within ten days of the news of Robert Farnon’s passing, Sanctuary Living Era advised all their dealers of the CD "A Portrait of Farnon" originally released in February 2004.

BRAVO MARK STEYN!

For all the 49-odd years that our Society has existed, we have come to expect snide, derogatory comments about ‘our kind of music’ from musical snobs who wouldn’t recognise a tune if it jumped up and slapped them in the face. Give them atonal cacophony and they roll over with their legs in the air waiting to be tickled, just like the Editor’s black cat Mamba. But to admit to enjoying melody …?

Therefore it’s all the more pleasing when, occasionally, a columnist does have the courage to admit to liking something musical which gives pleasure to the majority. Even more surprising, is a columnist who takes his fellow writers on the same newspaper to task.

This is what Mark Steyn said in his Daily Telegraph column on 3 May:

"It's the little things in the paper that drive you nuts. I made the mistake of reading Thursday's obituary of Robert Farnon on a plane and the following sentence caused my mouthful of coffee to explode over the guy in front of me and set his hair plugs alight: ‘He also did some suitably syrupy arrangements for the crooners Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne and Vera Lynn.’

Good grief. There's nothing "syrupy" about Farnon's arrangements for Sinatra. If you listen to his work on Sinatra Sings Great Songs From Great Britain, the guitar coda on "Garden in the Rain" and the trumpet obligato on "If I Had You" are worth the price of admission alone.

I felt rather depressed at the thought that "syrupy" should be my paper's final judgment on the greatest Canadian orchestrator of popular music ever, especially when you consider that "Now is the Hour" (the "Maori farewell song") was co-written by Clement Scott, the Telegraph's drama critic from 1872 to 1899.

It remains the only song by a Telegraph journalist ever recorded by Sinatra, at least until the lost tapes of Frank Sinatra Sings the Boris Johnson Songbook are discovered.

So I dusted off the Great Songs From Great Britain CD and was reassured to find the Farnon arrangements as ravishing as I remembered them. The key line is from "Garden in the Rain": "a touch of colour 'neath skies of grey." That's what Farnon's orchestrations brought to even the dullest material, like "We'll Meet Again", whose stiff-upper-lip sexless stoicism Sinatra can't get his head around at all.

We'll be hearing "We'll Meet Again" rather a lot this VE anniversary week. Looking back at that Sinatra/Farnon album, you're struck by how - in 1962 - so many of the numbers they chose are wartime songs, either from the Second War - "We'll Gather Lilacs" - or the First - "Roses of Picardy".

One of the reasons why it's effortlessly easy to "commemorate" the Second World War is that popular culture had signed up for the duration. It was the war that brought Robert Farnon to Britain, to lead the Allied Expeditionary Force's Canadian band, as Glenn Miller and George Melachrino led the American and British bands."

Bravo, Mark Steyn! We need more writers like you to bring some commonsense to the blinkered musical establishment.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline June 2005

■ The Sidney Torch feature in the centre of this issue is thanks to Lew Williams, who has great admiration for Torch as a cinema organist before World War II. Lew also has plenty of admirers himself: as our member Robin King tells us, "Lew is a superb, very much respected musician. He is one of the world’s finest organists – both classical and theatre – equally well-known in UK organ circles as in the USA. He is resident organist at Organ Stop, Mesa, Arizona (a suburb of Phoenix) which has the world’s largest Wurlitzer housed in a public place … 5 manuals and 77 ranks. Awesome! There is more information (and some audio samples) at www.organstoppizza.com "

The March issue of The Gramophone included a full page article on Light Music by Andrew Lamb. Guild and Vocalion CDs were specifically mentioned.

A major light orchestral hardback biography is on its way, hopefully out in time for the centenary of Mantovani's birth on 15 November next. "Mantovani – A Lifetime In Music" tells of Mantovani's relentless quest for perfection in a musical career that lasted over 50 years. Written by Colin MacKenzie and to be published by Melrose Books, it follows the maestro's musical career in detail, from his early days as an aspiring classical musician, his dance band days of the 1930s, his activities as a musical director in the theatre and his successes in America and worldwide in the 1950s and up until his retirement in 1975. The author has had unique access to the Mantovani family, his record producers, arrangers, musicians and fans from various parts of the globe to provide a very detailed portrait of his life and times. It's the "full Monty", of interest to Mantovani fans everywhere, but also to anyone interested in light orchestral music and the history of popular music in the 20th century. More details as and when we have them.

Derek Boulton tells us an amusing story from Russia. In last September’s JIM we told you about the Russian singer Willi Tokarev, who is infatuated with the music of Robert Farnon. Willi lives in a block of flats in Moscow, which has been renovated from former army barracks. The old public address system is apparently still intact, and wired to all the flats. Each morning Willi wakes up his fellow residents to the strains of either Portrait of a Flirt or Westminster Waltz!

Paul Barnes is back on Saturday evenings. His radio show "Gold for Grown-Ups" from BBC Radio Norfolk (beamed to many BBC local stations in Eastern England) is no longer on Sundays (where it failed to reach its potential target audience) to Saturdays between 6.00pm and 9.00pm. Check the frequencies in Radio Times and tune in next week. Alternatively you can listen via the internet on the BBC website www.bbc.co.uk

Former BBC Radio-2 producer Anthony Wills now runs Golden Sounds Productions, but radio isn’t his only passion. He is also the Chairman of the National Piers Society, which publishes a fascinating magazine. If you’d like to know more, drop a line to the Membership Secretary: Phil Johnson, 26 Weatheroak Close, Webheath, Redditch, Worcestershire, B97 5TF, England.

Allan Bula has previously reported on the Hastings Light Orchestra, and the latest news is that it will join the Waldron Light Orchestra to perform a joint open-air concert near Lucas Hall, Waldron, on Sunday July 10^th from 3.00pm onwards. Waldron, an ancient village approx. three miles east of Uckfield, East Sussex, is in the Domesday Book as Waldrene (from ‘the forest house’) and acquired its modern spelling in 1336.

John Wilson conducted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on April 21^st at London’s Royal Albert Hall before a capacity audience (reports Tony Clayden). The Classic FM Live concert included popular items by Mozart, Vaughan Williams, Handel and Walton; the latter’s Spitfire Preldue and Fugue was given a particularly spirited performance. Two compositions by Saint-Saens were featured, the Carnival of the Animals and the finale of the Third Symphony, which showcased the recently rebuilt RAH organ. The programme concluded with Elgar’s Cello Concerto, with Julian Lloyd Webber as soloist. John has now done a lot with the RLPO, and the synergy between conductor and orchestra was most evident.

We are pleased to report that Ann Adams has been invited to play once again in a London park this summer. The venue is Kensington Gardens, on Sunday 31 July and as we go to press the concert is expected to start at 2.30 pm. If you plan to attend, you may care to ring Brian Reynolds beforehand (telephone number on inside front cover) to check that there have not been any last-minute changes.

Shelley Van Loen has just released a new CD – "In The Shade Of The Palms" - on her own PalmCourt Records label. Full details, plus a review, will appear in our next issue, but if you would like to order a copy before then you can telephone Shelley on 01869 351990.

Sound Copyright – the battle goes on! In April a New York Court of Appeal found in favour of Capitol in a dispute with Naxos. Initially this raised alarm bells since there seemed a prospect that record companies reissuing recordings over 50 years old could be prohibited from selling in the USA. However this appears to have been an over-reaction, and the suggestion has been made that Capitol’s win could prove to be a Pyrrhic victory. It is alleged that the judgement only applies to record companies with an office in New York (such as Naxos of America). Another complication is that a query has arisen as to whether EMI could assign rights to its Capitol subsidiary in recordings that had already fallen out of the 50-year copyright in Britain, and were therefore in the public domain. Clearly there are going to have to be even more court cases in an attempt to clear up what is becoming a very messy situation. One speculates as to how any judgement in one country could prevent the world-wide trade in CDs that now exists via the internet. The best answer for the major record companies would seem to be to exploit their own catalogues by bringing out reissues themselves, competitively priced, so that there would be no point in independents such as Naxos trying to gain a share of the market.

Within ten days of the news of Robert Farnon’s passing, Sanctuary Living Era advised all their dealers of the CD "A Portrait of Farnon" originally released in February 2004.

BRAVO MARK STEYN!

For all the 49-odd years that our Society has existed, we have come to expect snide, derogatory comments about ‘our kind of music’ from musical snobs who wouldn’t recognise a tune if it jumped up and slapped them in the face. Give them atonal cacophony and they roll over with their legs in the air waiting to be tickled, just like the Editor’s black cat Mamba. But to admit to enjoying melody …?

Therefore it’s all the more pleasing when, occasionally, a columnist does have the courage to admit to liking something musical which gives pleasure to the majority. Even more surprising, is a columnist who takes his fellow writers on the same newspaper to task.

This is what Mark Steyn said in his Daily Telegraph column on 3 May:

"It's the little things in the paper that drive you nuts. I made the mistake of reading Thursday's obituary of Robert Farnon on a plane and the following sentence caused my mouthful of coffee to explode over the guy in front of me and set his hair plugs alight: ‘He also did some suitably syrupy arrangements for the crooners Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne and Vera Lynn.’

Good grief. There's nothing "syrupy" about Farnon's arrangements for Sinatra. If you listen to his work on Sinatra Sings Great Songs From Great Britain, the guitar coda on "Garden in the Rain" and the trumpet obligato on "If I Had You" are worth the price of admission alone.

I felt rather depressed at the thought that "syrupy" should be my paper's final judgment on the greatest Canadian orchestrator of popular music ever, especially when you consider that "Now is the Hour" (the "Maori farewell song") was co-written by Clement Scott, the Telegraph's drama critic from 1872 to 1899.

It remains the only song by a Telegraph journalist ever recorded by Sinatra, at least until the lost tapes of Frank Sinatra Sings the Boris Johnson Songbook are discovered.

So I dusted off the Great Songs From Great Britain CD and was reassured to find the Farnon arrangements as ravishing as I remembered them. The key line is from "Garden in the Rain": "a touch of colour 'neath skies of grey." That's what Farnon's orchestrations brought to even the dullest material, like "We'll Meet Again", whose stiff-upper-lip sexless stoicism Sinatra can't get his head around at all.

We'll be hearing "We'll Meet Again" rather a lot this VE anniversary week. Looking back at that Sinatra/Farnon album, you're struck by how - in 1962 - so many of the numbers they chose are wartime songs, either from the Second War - "We'll Gather Lilacs" - or the First - "Roses of Picardy".

One of the reasons why it's effortlessly easy to "commemorate" the Second World War is that popular culture had signed up for the duration. It was the war that brought Robert Farnon to Britain, to lead the Allied Expeditionary Force's Canadian band, as Glenn Miller and George Melachrino led the American and British bands."

Bravo, Mark Steyn! We need more writers like you to bring some commonsense to the blinkered musical establishment.

Dateline March 2005

■ Last Christmas a BBC-1 ident showed young children bouncing in the snow on Christmas puddings. Several British members contacted us to ask about the attractive music heard in the background. It sounded like vintage mood music, but no one could identify it. Eventually Ralph Thompson managed to track down a lady at the BBC who said that it was simply called "BBC Ident" and was published by the BBC. It was specially written by Peter Lawlor; we wonder if any readers know of him – has he composed any other music like this?

■ Allan Bula tells us that Herbie Flowers says the Hastings Light Orchestra could rise again this Spring.

■ Thanks to Sigmund Groven, we can report that the ‘Warren’ who composed Martinique (the Ray Martin version on a Decca 78 was included on the Guild CD GLCD5101), is actually Norman Warren, an arranger and composer who was a backroom boy active on the London music scene from the 1940s to the 1960s. Martinique was also recorded by Tommy Reilly on Parlophone R3560. Warren and Reilly also co-composed Blow Man Blow and No Dice which Tommy recorded on a Philips single in 1962 (BF 326 543).

And on the subject of mysterious composers, Brian Reynolds has told us that the ‘Stewart’ who wrote The Whistling Boy on the recent Mantovani Guild CD was not Ian Stewart as we had been informed, but a Colin Stewart (perhaps a pseudonym?).

■ The American record company Reference Recordings has experienced problems in recent years, partly due to a change in ownership. The Gramophone magazine has been listing some of their CDs among their details of new releases, including Robert Farnon’s ‘Concert Works’ (RR-47CD). Since this has deleted some while ago, we were hoping that it would be available once again, but so far it does not appear on any distributors’ lists.

■ The Royal Marines CTCRM Band are planning a disc of the Music of Ron Goodwin – expected release date August 2005 on their own ‘in house’ Chevron Label (writes Roger Hyslop).

■ Ena Reilly has recently launched The Tommy Reilly Appreciation Society in honour of her late husband, regarded by many as the finest harmonica player in the world. The special event took place towards the end of last September, involving performances at the local Royal British Legion and Tommy’s church at Frensham. Paul Lewis (who worked with Tommy for many years on the TV series "Woof!") acted as compere, and some of Tommy’s former pupils from as far afield as Japan attended a masterclass in his honour. If any readers would like more information, they are welcome to contact: Mrs. Ena Reilly, Hammonds Wood, Frensham, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 3EH, England – telephone 01252 792422.

■ Alan Bunting tells us that Quantegy, the world’s last remaining manufacturer of ¼" and professional recording tape, unexpectedly closed down over last Christmas and filed for Chapter 11 (in the USA this is often a prelude to a business ceasing trading).

■ Forthcoming Concert dates:

John Wilson conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus in "Cinema Classics" at the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 12 May at 7.30pm. The concert will be recorded for BBC Radio-2’s "Friday Night is Music Night". Tickets from RFH box office 08703 800 400.

The following day (Friday 13 May), John Wilson will be at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, with Gary Williams and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in a Tribute to Nat ‘King’ Cole. Box office 0121 780 3333.

Robert Farnon has decided to call his new Bassoon Concerto "Romancing The Phoenix". It is dedicated to the American virtuoso Daniel Smith (see page 5 in this issue).

As we went to press, we learned that the new work dedicated by John Fox to his dear wife Joy was due to be recorded at Whitfield Street Studios on 22 February. Gavin Sutherland conducted the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, and we will naturally give further details when the CD is released.

We were saddened to note the death of actress Virginian Mayo on 17 January aged 84. It was for her role as Lady Barbara in "Captain Horatio Hornblower" that Robert Farnon composed one of the most beautiful love themes ever heard in a film.

Finnish Television is making a documentary on the famous ‘Moomin’ cartoon character called "Moomin’s Memoirs", which will be shown in 2006. Robert Farnon has been invited to be interviewed for the programme; readers will recall that Bob composed the catchy Moomin back in the 1950s when the newspaper cartoons became popular in Britain. Bob often used to turn up at early RFS Meetings wearing a tie with little Moomins all over it!

Consuelo Velazquez, composer of the popular 1940s hit Besame Mucho died on 22 January in Mexico City, aged 88. She began her career as a classical concert pianist, but later became a singer and one of the best-known composers in Mexican history.

There will be an exhibition of works by Benedetto at the Catto Gallery, Heath Street, London from 5 to 24 April. The artist is better-known as Tony Bennett.

Universal has issued a 2-hour TV documentary featuring Bert Kaempfert on DVD. The film by Marc Boettcher is based on his biography on the bandleader, and includes rare footage and photographs from private archives, as well as interviews with friends, colleagues and musicians. There are also excerpts from Kaempfert’s stage and TV appearances. Also included is a special bonus CD with 20 complete tracks where the music in the film is only heard in part. There is an English soundtrack, as well as German. The DVD is called "Strangers In The Night: The Bert Kaempfert Story".

Sessions will take place this year towards a third Campion CD of original compositions by Matthew Curtis. Once again Gavin Sutherland will be conducting the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, A few tracks were actually recorded last July, and titles selected so far include On the Move, Flute Concerto (soloist Jennifer Stinton), Five Dances for String Orchestra, At Twilight (strings and harp), Partita and Divertimento Concertante for clarinet and small orchestra (soloist Verity Butler – who also happened to be Mrs. Gavin Sutherland!).

If you have one of the RFS pens that have been available at some of our recent London meetings, you may like to be reminded that standard rollerball refills from W H Smith will fit (make sure you only buy the WHS own brand, not others such as Parker which are a different shape).

James Cahall (from Louisville, Kentuckey) sent us an amusing cutting from his local newspaper. It informs that "Westport Road is closed just east of Herr Lane, but motorists may detour via Bob Farnon Way and Lyndon Lane!

The March issue of ‘The Gramophone’ includes an article on Light Music by Andrew Lamb. The Guild ‘Golden Age of Light Music’ series is mentioned, along with some recent Vocalion CDs.

The next concert of The Edinburgh Light Orchestra will be on Saturday 28 May, at the Queen’s Hall Edinburgh as usual. Conductor James Beyer hopes that some RFS members will come along to join the capacity audience that these concerts now regularly attract. Further details from James at: 4 St John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT.

Composer Adam Saunders was in Prague at the end of January, recording come of his latest works for a Chappell CD "Epic Choral" with the City of Prague Philharmonic. The choir is the Brighton Festival Chorus (overdubbed in England).

Philip Farlow is continuing to be involved in the regional BBC South, South East 'evening share' programme on Fridays that he instigated mid-1998 called 'Big Band & Swing'. Nowadays Philip mainly gets involved in ‘specials’; he ceased doing it regularly in December 1999 as all the time spent producing a 'proper' programme was de-focussing him from his Audio Services work. Philip’s ‘slot’ was admirably filled by Grant James, but Philip now goes into the studios to do 'specialised' presentations which he regards as being quite prestigious – especially as there is a large audience over the Solent, Southern Counties, Kent, Berkshire and Oxford transmitters area. Some while ago Philip interviewed John Wilson and he would like to discuss his career with him again – if he can be fitted in with John’s very busy work schedule. Just before last Christmas Philip compiled a 'Glenn Miller in England' documentary which he understands from the subsequent feedback was received very well. "Big Band and Swing" can be heard on Friday evenings between 9.00 and 10.00pm. For those who live outside the areas covered by the local transmitters the programme can, of course, he heard via the BBC website on the internet.

NEW RELEASES

As usual, there will be many new CDs to tempt us to open our wallets during the coming months, but as we go to press we only have very sketchy details of some of them. No doubt we will be able to provide much fuller information in our next issue.

First of all, on the Film Music front we have heard whispers that we can expect collections featuring film scores by Stanley Black and Mischa Spoliansky.

Mike Dutton has many attractive new releases lined up for the Spring, among them a new CD from the John Wilson Orchestra called "Dance Date" featuring scores by Roland Shaw and Pete Moore. From the vaults of Decca and EMI, Mike promises vintage albums by Victor Silvester, Ray Martin, Guy Lombardo, Eric Jupp (including the often requested "Music for Sweethearts"), Mantovani, Frank Chacksfield, Stanley Black, Ronnie Aldrich and Winifred Atwell.

Mike Dutton is also planning a new series of single LP reissues from Decca Deram, and one of the first will be the Robert Farnon / Tony Coe collaboration "Pop Makes Progress" (originally on the Chapter One label).

In February, the Dutton Epoch label issued a second volume of "British Light Music Premieres and Arrangements" (CDLX 7151) with works by Philip Lane (Overture on French carols), John Field (Concertino for flute and small orchestra), Haydn Wood (British Rhapsody), Rimsky-Korsakov (Variations on a theme of Glinka), Anthony Hedges (Festival Dances), Richard Addinsell (Harmony for false lovers) and Carlo Martelli (Romance, Greensleeves, Aubade).

Other Epoch releases include the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Barry Wordsworth performing music from Ballets associated with Sir Frederick Ashton (CDLX 7149), and a notable premiere of Sir Edward Elgar’s Piano Concerto (CDLX 7148).

Mantovani fans should be in seventh heaven with a new 4-CD box set from Jasmine containing 99 tracks. The period covered is 1951-1954, and inevitably there will be many duplications with CDs already released by several other companies. There is not room for a tracklisting here, but no doubt we will have a review in our next issue. If you cannot wait that long, you can order direct from: Jazmail, Unit 8, Forest Hill Trading Estate, Perry Vale, London, SE23 2LX, England (major credit cards accepted). The set is reasonably priced at £17.99 and UK postage is £1.00; Europe £1.50; rest of the world £2.80. Coming soon from Guild is a second collection of Mantovani – By Request, but you will be glad to know that this should be all material not previously on CD. Another Spring release from Guild will feature a second helping of Great American Light Orchestras. Full details – of course – next time!

Dateline December 2004

■ Robin King’s feature in our last issue, where he mentioned organist Lew Williams (who lives near Angela Morley) has produced some interesting correspondence. Lew has rightly taken your Editor to task over his description of the theatre organs played by Sidney Torch as ‘electronic’, and he has also provided some information about several of these famous instruments from the pre-war days. Lew writes: I know it's difficult to keep track of all the various bits of information from that era, and given the amount of hyperbole that was often put into publicity in those days, it's not hard to be confused. In the booklet notes to the "All Strings and Fancy Free" CD on Living Era, there is reference to the Gaumont State, Kilburn as "......the largest cinema organ in England."  I believe that the Gaumont was, perhaps, at 4,000 seats, the largest cinema in the UK.  However, the organ itself consisted of some 16 ranks (sets) of pipes. The Trocadero, Elephant & Castle, had the largest Wurlitzer organ in Europe (at 21 ranks), but the largest cinema organ in all of Europe was the Regal, Marble Arch, with a total of 36 ranks. As to the construction dates, etc., of the various cinemas, the Regal, Marble Arch opened in November 1928, Regal, Edmonton in 1934, and Gaumont, Kilburn in 1937. As none of the organs were altered or added to after opening, Marble Arch leads the pack as to sheer size.  Sadly, it's been rotting away in a barn in Cornwall since being removed from the cinema in 1964, and will probably never play again. The Edmonton organ has been removed to the Memorial Hall at Barry, in Wales.  The Kilburn instrument is the only remaining original cinema organ in the London area. Though Torch steadfastly refused to talk to anyone about his organ days during his later years, I do have a 3-part interview with him that was published in 1972 in the American journal "Theatre Organ," on the occasion of the re-release of a double LP or his organ tracks. Torch's orchestral pianist, William Davies, told me a few interesting bits about Torch: how he learned Greek after his retirement from conducting so he could read the classics in the original language, and how WD tricked ST into playing the organ during an orchestral rehearsal for a sound check, much to Torch's annoyance. Editor: excerpts from that rare Sidney Torch interview will appear in ‘Journal Into Melody’ next year.

■ We are very pleased to report that the music of Ron Goodwin is not being forgotten. In November, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robin Stapleton performed three concerts in Weymouth, Swindon and Bournemouth under the title MY KIND OF MUSIC - A Celebration of the life and Music of Ron Goodwin. Unfortunately the news of these concerts did not reach us until early September, so we could not give details in our last magazine. However full information was posted in the "Latest News" section of our website, so we hope that many members will have seen it there. Perhaps this is an appropriate time to remind those of you who have access to the internet that late news items such as this can been seen on our website. Please look at our "Latest News" from time to time. We have been told that some members have made our website their ‘home page’ so that it serves as a regular reminder to them!

■ Klaus Teubig used to work in the German branch of Francis, Day & Hunter. He has fond memories of the music of Les Reed, and he also offers the following cameo: the composer ‘Montague’ responsible for the early Matt Monro recording You’re The One Of My Hit Parade was actually a pseudonym for Sir Frederick Day, son of the founder of FDH. He wrote it in the 1920s for his wife Doris, then a Tiller Girl. When they married she became a true English ‘Doris Day’!

Debbie Wiseman will be sharing conducting honours with Owain Arwel Hughes at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Christ Concert on Wednesday 15 December at Fairfield Hall, Croydon – box office 020 8688 9291.

Tony Bennett’s only UK appearance this year will be at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Monday 6 December. By the time you read this, unfortunately it will be far too late to get any tickets!

Some vintage Anne Shelton recordings have been discovered by Philip Farlow. A new CD features a BBC/AEFP broadcast where she is guest vocalist with the Glenn Miller AEF Band, and there are some other rare tracks. Details from Anne’s niece – Kelly Richards, PO Box 160, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 4YF, England – or visit the website www.anne-shelton.co.uk The CD costs £12.04, including postage.

Since writing his review of the Frank Sinatra ‘Platinum Collection’ (see ‘Keeping Track’), your Editor has read in the Sinatra Music Society magazine that the uncredited writer of the excellent booklet notes is Ken Barnes.

The World Soundtrack Awards were announced at the 31^st Flanders International Film Festival in Bijloke, Ghent, on 9th October. Gabriel Yared received two of the most prestigious awards: Soundtrack Composer of the Year for Cold Mountain and Best Original Soundtrack of the Year for Cold Mountain also. The latter movie was awarded with a third prize: Best Original Song Written for Film with the song ‘You will be my Ain True Love written by Sting and performed by Alison Krauss. The Public Choice Award went to John Williams for the Soundtrack of Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, while the Discovery of the Year was given to Santaollala Gustavo for 21 Grams. Sir George Martin gave a Lifetime Achievement Award that recognised the talent of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, while the Prize for the Best Young Belgian Composer was taken by Steven Prengels for the soundtrack he wrote for Le Réveil Tam-Tam a silent short.

In case you are still searching for an amusing CD to fill a Christmas stocking, can we remind you about the new 2-CD collection of music and dialogue from the "Carry On" films – Silva Screen SILCD1168. Jeff Hall mentions it in his ‘Film Music Bulletin’, but he covers so much ground in his column that you may have missed it! The ASV CD ‘The Carry On Album’ WHL 2119 has been a big seller, and we are pleased to give advance notice that a sequel by the same team is due to come out soon – "What A Carry On!" with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Gavin Sutherland on Vocalion Digital CDSA6810. All these CDs are available from the RFS Record Service, although the Vocalion CD may be an early 2005 release.

In the summer of 2003 John Wilson spent 12 days at EMI’s Abbey Road studios recreating the songs of Bobby Darin for a film musical on his life. The late singer is portrayed on screen by Kevin Spacey, who incredibly did all the vocals himself. Your Editor can remember John saying how impressed he was with the actor’s dedication to this project, and the end results are simply amazing. With the film about to be released, Spacey was interviewed by the London newspaper Observer in October, and it was good to see him acknowledge John Wilson’s important contribution to the project. Kevin Spacey said: "The most rewarding 12 days I have ever spent were in the Abbey Road studio with a 48-piece orchestra laying down all the tracks before we started shooting with Phil Ramone, my music producer, and John Wilson, my musical director. These genius guys completely understood how to capture the sound and spirit of Bobby."

Major Archive Release from Boosey & Hawkes

Boosey Media have just embarked upon a major project to place all of their 78s on CDs. The first phase involves the BH1900 series from the 1930s, and we will give full details in a special feature in our next issue. The CDs will be available through the RFS Record Service.

Dateline September 2004

■ Doris Day has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour that the USA can bestow upon its citizens. Doris is one of 12 people to receive the award, which was announced on 22 June. But her fear of flying prevented her from accepting the award personally from the President in Washington. She told the Associated Press: "I am deeply grateful to the President and to my country, but I won’t fly." Doris blames her fear of flying on too many overseas trips with Bob Hope entertaining U.S. troops. "Bob would fly even if a cyclone was coming," she recalled. "I saw him on his knees many a time. In fact we were all on our knees. We flew in snowstorms to get to the next show. When we hit the ground I said ‘never again’." The Medal of Freedom was established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize civilians for their World War II service. It was reinstated by President Kennedy in 1963 to honour distinguished service in a range of fields, including the arts, sports, business and science. Doris is not a newcomer to awards: she won an Oscar nomination for "Pillow Talk" and made several gold records. She was named the No. 1 box office star four times. She has also been recognized for founding the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and all her fellow RFS members around the world will be delighted at this news.

■ RFS member John Bladon wonders if some fellow members might be interested in Frantisek Kmoch (1848-1912), whose Society can be found on a website: www.kmochsoc.co.uk John tells us that the Kmoch Society aims to promote music played by Central European military and civilian wind bands, with some overlap into light orchestral music from the same area. Marches, polkas and waltzes form the basis of this repertoire, with emphasis on pieces mainly written in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. It is tuneful music, just like the best British light music, but different in style and performance.

■ David Mardon has sent a recent programme for the Hale Light Orchestra’s concert on 6 July. Archibad Joyce’s The Brighton Hike opened the show, followed by Eric Coates’ Summer Days Suite. Other notable pieces included Butterflies in the Rain (Sherman Myers), English Folk Songs Suite (Ralph Vaughan Williams) and Frederic Curzon’s Robin Hood Suite. It is good to know that performances of light music are still taking place – if you can find them!

■ David Mardon has also sent in some useful information about Charles Williams and early Chappell 78s. Although he did write Girls In Grey in 1943, Chappells didn’t record it until 1944. There was quite a gap between the move from EMI at C192, and Levy’s Sound Studios taking over at C193. In fact C200 was the first one recorded by Levy’s. This helps to explain why so many of Charles Williams’ compositions were ‘moth-balled’ or ‘stockpiled’ between C193 and C205.

■ Mark Fox reports that Tony Bennett completed his upcoming album "The Art of Excellence 2" at Bennett Studios, Englewood, New Jersey at the beginning of June. Conducting honours for the 47-piece orchestra were shared by Johnny Mandel, Jorge Calandrelli and Lee Musiker. The CD is scheduled to be released in the USA in September, with UK release following on 8 November.

■ Matthew Curtis tells us that a second CD of his orchestral music should be released by Campion Records this autumn. Once again the Royal Ballet Sinfonia is conducted by Gavin Sutherland, and production has been in the capable hands of Philip Lane. There were five sessions in total: one in February at Pheonix Sound (the old CTS) in Wembley, and four more at the beginning of July at Whitfield Street studios in central London. For two of the sessions Matthew enjoyed the rare luxury of enlarged strings, which he says makes a big difference to the effect of the more symphonic works. The titles are: Ring In The New, Romanza, Little Dance Suite, Irish Lullaby, Graduation Day, Autumn Song, Sinfonietta and Bon Voyage! An extra 17 minutes of music was also recorded towards a possible third CD, so Matthew’s growing band of admirers have much to look forward to in the future. RFS members had the pleasure of meeting Matthew at the Bonnington Hotel in April.

■ Once again James Beyer and the Edinburgh Light Orchestra entertained an almost capacity audience at The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh in their recent concert on Saturday 29 May. As usual, the varied programme mixed some well-known classics with lighter pieces, the latter including Up With The Curtain (Jack Strachey), Prunella (Leslie Bridgewater), film music from "Goodbye Mr Chips" (Richard addinsell, reconstructed by Philip Lane), The Laughing Violin (Kai Mortensen), The Toy Trumpet (Raymond Scott) and Leroy Anderson Favourites. Another selection which must have been great fun was "Looney Toons Overture" based on the music from the famous Warner Bros. cartoons. The ELO’s next concert will be on 6 November, and if you want further information just drop a line to: James Beyer, 4 St John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT. The Edinburgh Palm Court Orchestra holds its musical afternoons on Sundays, when it is directed by David Lyle. The next concert is on 26 September, commencing at 2.30pm.

■ London’s Royal Festival Hall is now undergoing a major refurbishment, involving the construction of an extension building alongside the Hungerford Terrace to provide space for future administrative needs, with shops and catering facilities at terrace level. The foyers and auditorium are due to close in June 2005, and the major renovation of the hall should finish at the end of 2006. The Royal Festival Hall will reopen in January 2007.

June 2004

Brian Neal owns a Blüthner Grand Piano which was formerly the proud possession of the composer Lambert Williamson. Before that it was the property of Victor Hely Hutchinson – probably during World War 2 around the time when he was Head of Music at the BBC.

Robert Walton recently discovered that Philip Buchel (co-composer with Robert Farnon of Jockey on the Carousel and Winter Jasmine (featured on the new "Showcase for Soloists" CD) played alto sax with Spike Hughes’s DeccaDents. Hughes himself was a jazz bassist and arranger, and another notable member of the same group was trumpeter Max Goldberg. Philip Buchel was also a talented tap-dancer; he and his wife Betty choreographed several British musicals, including "Spring in Park Lane" and "Maytime in Mayfair".

RFS member Johnny McLain is still succeeding in getting his new works published. Recent settings to poems include Mamble by John Drinkwater (1882-1937); Adlestrop by Edward Thomas (1878-1917); and I Came To Oxford by Gerald Gould (1885-1936). These pieces are being published by Westerleigh Publications (based in Devon) under the collective title ‘Three Places in Old England’. If any readers would like more information about Johnny’s music, they are welcome to write to him at: 42 Osidge Lane, Southgate, London, N14 5JG.

Towards the end of this year Sigmund Groven will be releasing a new CD of harmonica music, in which he is accompanied by the Norwegian Radio Orchestra Conducted by John Wilson. We look forward to giving you more details in a future issue.

Charles Prior heard On a Spring Note by Sidney Torch on a US radio commercial for Walgreens (a drugstore chain) last year. He also spotted Champagne March in a documentary about Cedar Point, an Ohio amusement park.

Frank Comstock keeps an eye on the jazz column in a local California paper The Orange County Register. When Billy May died, Steve Eddy wrote that he was the last of Sinatra’s arrangers. David Ades sent him an e-mail, which resulted in the following note a few weeks later: "Who says the Register doesn’t cross the ocean? The Robert Farnon Society’s David Ades gently took me to task (as only Brits can do) for saying in a Billy May obit that he was ‘the last surviving member of Frank Sinatra’s exclusive club of musical arrangers’. Ades rightfully pointed out that Farnon is still with us and active at age 86. And, while they weren’t as associated with Sinatra as May, Nelson Riddle and some others, you can add at least a couple of others who penned charts for Blue Eyes, and are still alive and kicking – Neal Hefti and Quincy Jones."

Franck Leprince has been keeping very busy as a professional violinist since he left the Army. This April he played at a Wigmore Hall concert as a member of ‘Ensemble – Inconstantes’ under the baton of Alan Danson, which featured the violinist Rafal Zambrzycki-Payne (former BBC Young Musician of the Year, and also BBC Radio-2 Young Musician 2000), and the soprano Hasmik Papian. Franck tells us that he gets little chance to play light music these days, although he is involved with a group of four musicians including the fine pianist and RFS member Elaine Korman, who has recently retired from the English National Opera. They perform "An Evening of Popular Classics" about once a month at various venues in the South West of England, and their repertoire includes pieces from the 1920s and 1930s – and even the 1950s!

From time to time we are asked about certain ‘big names’ in the music world, who have very little written about them on the internet. Often it is virtually impossible to discover what they are doing and if, in fact, they are still active musically. Such a ‘name’ is Tutti Camarata, so we were pleased to find a recent piece about him in Encore, that interesting monthly magazine aimed at professionals in the theatre. Recently Camarata received a Disney Legend Award from Walt Disney’s son. It will be remembered that Camarata first came to our attention in England in the 1940s when he was engaged by J. Arthur Rank to work on the musical "London Town" which featured the Ted Heath Orchestra and many leading British stars of the time. The film flopped, but Camarata stayed behind in England to work at Decca and set up London Records in the USA. Eventually he returned to the USA, and joined Disney, making a success of their record label. Today, with his son Paul, he runs Sunset Sound Studios in Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, and is still very active despite reaching 90 years of age. Some of his recordings from over 50 years ago are starting to appear in the new Guild Light Music series of CDs.

Don’t forget that our website is one of the facilities offered to you as a member of the RFS. You are encouraged to visit us regularly at www.rfsoc.org.uk and specifically we recommend you to check the Latest News section of the RFS Information page to see if there are any important announcements.

If you are on the internet, do visit the ‘Links’ page on our website regularly. This is continually being updated by Chris Landor, and just recently he has come across some very interesting places for you to visit.

Hans-Andreas Winkler has set up an internet website in honour of his late father, the German composer Gerhard Winkler (1906-1977). Although presently only in German, it is well worth a visit and you can hear two recordings of one of his best-known songs "Capri-Fischer". Of course his biggest international success was "Answer Me". www.capri-fischer.de

Alan Nuttall and the Hale Light Orchestra presented ‘A Springtime Festival of Light Orchestral Music’ in Altrincham, Cheshire on 28 March reports David Mardon. The concert included many familiar favourites such as In Party Mood (Jack Strachey), Shortcake Walk (Sidney Torch), Puffin’ Billy (Edward White) and Ronald Hanmer’s arrangement of Mexican Hat Dance.

Ray Clark has alerted us to some recent interesting documentaries on video from Beulah and other companies. There are also plans for some classic British Transport Films shorts to appear on DVD later this year. Ray points out that the quality on DVD is often better than on video, so it may be worth while waiting for forthcoming DVD releases in some cases. Here are some recent releases that Ray recommends:

Capital Transport [Yesterday’s Britain] No. 31 – Beulah YB31 (send for their catalogue - Beulah, 66 Rochester Way, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 2DU); Holidays on Wheels – promotional films from the 1950s for Wallace Arnold coaches (telephone orders on 01624 640000); Look At Life – The 1960s, another 6 films from this well remembered Rank Organisation cinema series available on video and DVD (Video 125, PO Box 81, Ascot, SL5 9TC – tel. 01344 628565); Those Were The Days – Pathe Newsreels from various decades, issued on both video and DVD (widely available through retailers); Northumberland in 1953 – a Northern Heritage production featuring a BTF film on rural life including footage not included in the original film (order by Freephone 0800 716959). All these films make full use of contemporary mood music from the likes of Chappell, Boosey & Hawkes etc.

The clarinettist, saxophonist and singer Gerry Ozarow, born on 18 December 1922, died on 1 February 2004 writes Sunil Hiranandani. In a Nostalgia article ‘Life Was Funny Sometimes’ Gerry described himself as the poor man’s Charlie Ventura or, on a good night, the poor man’s Illinois Jacquet. He remembered doing a version of Roses of Picardy which turned into Roses of Jeopardy when the trumpeter’s mute dropped out! He recalled one musician doing an impression of the bandleader, at which the bandleader walked in and said: "this is my impression of you getting the sack!" His early career found him in the bands of Billy Merrin, Billy Bevan and Lou Preager, playing in locations like the Cumberland Hotel, where Joan Collins was waiting on tables.

JUMPING BEAN

March 2004

Paul Barnes hosts one of the best music programmes on BBC Eastern Counties radio stations. At the end of November he took his cue from the news in our last magazine and informed his listeners that Doris Day was now a member of the Robert Farnon Society. To celebrate, he didn’t play a Doris Day record – instead he chose "Great Day" by the Robert Farnon Orchestra and the George Mitchell Singers!

We are very sorry to have to report the death of our member Robert Rudhall last December, following a long illness. Only a year ago Robert contributed a special tribute to his friend Ron Goodwin in JIM 154 (page 15). Robert first met Ron back in 1995 when he was doing research for his book about the making of the film "Battle of Britain".

Another Tribute to Angela …

I doubt that there are many in the Robert Farnon Society that need convincing that the new Vocalion CD of Angela Morley’s compositions and arrangements is a ‘must buy’. When I wrote the articles on her career a few years ago she sent me a tape of some of the music now contained on the album. I am glad that every lover of true artistry can now share my pleasure in hearing this music as some of the work she wrote for American TV series did not get a showing in the UK. John Wilson and his producers deserve a vote of thanks for enriching the world of music.

Paul Clatworthy

Lucky Scots enjoy Light Music

"There’s something blissfully anachronistic about the Queen’s Hall. With its florid cornices and church-like pews, the venue has a certain timeless grandeur which lends itself well to feelings of nostalgia. And after a week of self-congratulation in the Capital in the shape of the MTV awards, the unashamedly backward looking sound of the Edinburgh Light Orchestra was the perfect antidote to contemporary clutter. While easy listening classical music may not exactly be in vogue, the soaring cadences of the glissando strings during the ELO’s opening tune, Journey Into Melody, was enough to uplift the spirits of even the most cynical heart."

Thus wrote Duncan Forgan in his review for the Edinburgh Evening News of James Beyer’s concert last November. No doubt the esteemed critic was impressed by the fact that the hall was filled to capacity (about 800 people), and the enthusiastic applause from the audience perhaps raised a question mark regarding his comment about this kind of music not being in vogue. It seems likely that many more people would welcome the opportunity to attend concerts like this, but few towns and cities have a James Beyer to organize and conduct them!

As usual the programme was well balanced between light music, popular songs and works from the worlds of stage and screen. The closing work was Robert Farnon’s Sounds Familiar which, although written around a quarter of a century ago, still contains many tunes that bring instant recognition.

James Beyer and the Edinburgh Light Orchestra will be back at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh for their next concert on Saturday 29 May – for more details telephone 0131 334 3140.

Transport Videos

Ray Clark also writes enthusiastically about the Yesterday’s Britain YB30 spotlighting London buses (reviewed by Glynn D. Parry on page 51). Ray additionally tells us about two Classic Railway Newsreels from British Movietone News which contain many examples of mood music from Chappell, Charles Brull, De Wolfe and Paxton. They cost £12.95 each and are available from: The Signal Box, 1 Albion Street, Anstey, Leicestershire, LE7 7DD – telephone 0116 236 2091.

Must Close Saturday Records

What’s in a name? Often it can be a very important marketing tool, but we wonder how many readers will realise the kind of music that is the speciality of the above new record company! But when you think of it, the name is rather clever, because it conjures up images of countless ambitious little theatrical productions whose appeal to audiences has sometimes fallen short of the aspirations of the talented performers. And that is often the kind of music that Adrian Wright passionately believes deserves to be remembered.

His new company concentrates of British musicals from the 1950s onwards that have been largely forgotten. The major record companies have original cast recordings in their vaults, but it takes a real enthusiast like Adrian to license this material, repackage it attractively, and issue it on CD. So far the label has issued The Crooked Mile, Oh What a Lovely War and Tom Brown’s Schooldays. If you are interested in musical theatre from around 40/50 years ago, keep an eye open for these CDs. Thanks to Peter Worsley for this information.

As we went to press we learned that Tony Bennett had been nominated in two categories for this year’s Grammy Awards in New York. Let’s hope he was successful!

Jack Docherty has drawn our attention to a section about Albert Ketèlbey on his home-town Birmingham Council’s website: www.birmingham.gov.uk/ketelbey

Musicians’ Union Election Success

RFS member Tony Whittaker has just been elected onto the Executive Committee. "I am delighted to have won the election" says Tony, who lives in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, "and I look forward to representing the Midlands area for the next two years". Members who attend our London meetings will know that Tony is a keen supporter of RFS activities, and we are pleased to congratulate him on winning the confidence of his musical colleagues.

"Inside Antiques" on BBC4 (Friday 23 January) was devoted entirely to the subject of the collectors’ market and interest in railway travel posters, in the context of popular seaside destinations of the 1930s and 1940s. Several pieces of light music were heard in the programme: Coronation Scot was used for the opening titles and also the end credits. At other points we heard Rhythm on Rails, Jumping Bean and Will o’ the Wisp. No other light music was used, and it added even more interest to a fascinating programme. Report from Peter Luck

JUMPING BEAN

December 2003

♫ At the beginning of September John Wilson was in Studio 2 at Abbey Road working on the soundtrack of a major new film biography about Bobby Darin. John tells us that around 35 Darin hits were carefully reconstructed, with Kevin Spacey doing a very creditable job with the vocals. No doubt we will all be able to judge, when the soundtrack CD is eventually released – probably some time next year.

♫ Sunday evenings in Britain always come to a pleasant conclusion with The David Jacobs Collection, starting on BBC Radio-2 at 11.00pm. On 21 September David paid our magazine a very kind compliment, saying that it comes second only to the fine publications by the Bing Crosby Society. In the same show, David played Bob’s recording of When I Fall In Love and If You Are But A Dream featuring Carol Kidd.

♫ The Zomba Group was recently bought by the Bertelsmann Music Group and as a result Zomba Production Music is in the throes of consolidating its libraries with the BMG libraries. This will mean that Chappell, Bruton, Atmosphere, BMG and several others will now form a major presence together in production music circles.
♫ Have you visited the RFS website just recently? It was given a new look towards the end of September, and we hope that you’ll now find it easier to move quickly from one page to another. It is a good idea to make a visit at least once a month to look at the RFS Information page, which carries late news items. Our website address can be found on the inside front cover of each issue of Journal Into Melody, but if you don’t have your copy handy simply visit a well-known search engine and type in ‘Robert Farnon Society’. It couldn’t be more simple!

♫ Debbie Wiseman will be conducting the London premiere of her new work "Wilde Stories" at London’s Barbican Centre on Saturday 6 December (box office 020 7638 8891). This unique concert (which actually had its first performance in Birmingham on 27 October) will preview the Channel 4 Christmas transmission of these animated films of Oscar Wilde fairy stories, with Debbie conducting the National Symphony Orchestra for the soundtrack live to the projected films.

♫ We were saddened to learn of the death of Robin Boyle on 25 July, at South Rauceby, Lincolnshire, at the age of 76. He was born at Folkestone, Kent, on 27 March 1927, and was a much-loved voice on BBC Radio for many years. Although he had a short period on secondment in the Light Entertainment department as producer, Robin’s lasting love was music, and he was at his best presenting such shows as Night-Ride, Morning Music and Music While You Work, and he was liked and trusted by the professionals, like Cliff Adams of the Adams Singers, or the arranger, composer and conductor Stanley Black. Friday Night is Music Night came his way in the general run of programmes to be presented, in the 1950s. It was never meant to have just one announcer; indeed, most Light Programme/ Radio 2 staff announcers had a stab at it at one time or another: Philip Slessor (the original presenter), Jimmy Kingsbury, the majestic Frank Phillips, Eugene Fraser, John Marsh, James Alexander Gordon (when he wasn't reading the football results). But after a while, sometime in the 1970s, Boyle seemed to fall naturally into the job and carried on through the 1980s until he retired in 1987 at the statutory BBC age of 60. That, however, seemed to make little or no difference and he found that the producers would summon him as usual through the 1990s, although now as a freelance, and for a rather better fee. Robin Boyle was a good friend of the Robert Farnon Society, and members had the great pleasure of meeting him at one of our London recitals.

♫ We have recently learned that a Japanese record dealer is offering to sell BMG Italian Production Music CDs on his website for £80 each. These same CDs are available to members of the Robert Farnon Society for just £9 each. For more information turn to Keeping Track in this issue.

♫ We are sorry to report the death of Edward Cole. Some members may recall meeting him at our London recitals, including the special celebrations in 1997 for Robert Farnon’s 80^th birthday. Edward was for some years a news reader and continuity announcer with the BBC. He died on 6 June aged 63.

Our friends in The Light Music Society now have their own website, so do pay them a visit: www.lightmusicsociety.com You can also reach them through the ‘Links’ page on our own website.

JUMPING BEAN

September 2003

■ Just as our last issue was reaching our members, British Pathe became part of the ITN Archive. This meant that the information on the centre pages of JIM 155 regarding the film "This is London" no longer applied, and we are sorry that some of you were disappointed at being unable to obtain this film. Hopefully the situation will eventually be clarified, so that the vast British Pathe archive will become available to private individuals once again. If you are on the internet, we suggest you visit www.itnarchive.com for the latest news.

■ It’s good to know that Ronald Corp is planning a possible 5^th volume of British Light Music Classics for Hyperion. No more details at present, except that one of the titles could be Ray Martin’s "Waltzing Bugle Boy".

■ The Edinburgh Light Orchestra Conducted by James Beyer will be giving its next concert at The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, on Saturday 8 November. A recent concert on 24 May opened (as usual) with Robert Farnon’s Journey Into Melody, followed by the works of Duke Ellington, Victor Schertzinger, Fred Hartley, Frederick Loewe, Howard Shore and many others. These concerts are always very popular, and you are advised to book early (telephone 0131 668 2019). The Edinburgh Palm Court Orchestra Directed by David Lyle continues with its Sunday afternoon concerts, the next one on 28 September. To get on the mailing list for the ELO, send your name and address to: James Beyer, 4 St John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT.

■ Peter Appleyard celebrated his 75^th birthday in August (reports Norman Leisk). He told the Toronto Star: "I’m 75 with the body of a 74-year old and the mind of a 20 year-old!" He’s known in his adopted country, Canada, as the ‘affable vibraphone swing king’, and he was one of the guests at the 1997 Ottawa concerts in honour of Robert Farnon’s 80^th birthday. Peter still hopes that he can soon finalise arrangements for the sessions to record the charts which Robert Farnon prepared for him a little while ago. Around 30 musicians will be required, which involves a considerable financial commitment.

■ Ron Shillingford reports that everything went well at the Memorial Service to Ron Goodwin at Douai Abbey on 24 June. "Ron arranged splendid weather for the occasion. Douai Abbey is a beautiful place and was a wonderful setting" says Ron.

■ Brian Kay’s Light Programme is moving from Sundays to Thursdays on BBC Radio 3. The final Sunday edition will be on 14 September at 4.00pm as usual, to be followed by the next Brian Kay’s Light Programme on Thursday 18 September – also at 4.00pm. Brian’s new Sunday afternoon programme at 4.00pm is to be called "3 for all" and will run for an hour and three quarters every week. We are sure that he will be happy to get requests from his previously loyal Sunday listeners, so if you would like to have a special piece of music played you should write to Brian at: BBC Wales, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ, or send an e-mail to: 3forall@bbc.co.uk Brian is still presenting Melodies for You on Radio 2 on Sunday evenings at 7.00 pm until Christmas, and hopefully beyond (subject to the new BBC Radio-2 Controller!).

■ Make sure that you don’t miss The Last Night of the Proms on Saturday 13 September. John Wilson is involved in arranging some of the music that will be performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

■ Bob Hope died from pneumonia on Sunday 27 July aged 100 at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, California. In a long and distinguished career, the London-born comedian became one of the most famous entertainers in the world, and his death received massive coverage around the globe. It was said that the filing cabinets at his home on North Hollywood contained more than seven million gags. In 1962 his career crossed paths with Robert Farnon when the final ‘Road’ movie "The Road to Hong Kong" was filmed in Britain. Farnon was musical director, and Hope and Crosby’s co-star was Joan Collins, with a guest appearance from the original member of the trio, Dorothy Lamour. A soundtrack album featured original recordings from the film, augmented with ‘overdubs’ in the studio to improve the general sound quality. Bob Hope’s most famous record was "Thanks for the Memory" with Shirley Ross, which was featured in his first Hollywood film "The Big Broadcast of 1938". He was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1998 (although British-born, he became an American citizen).

■ Trevor Duncan has been invited to be the Guest of Honour at the RFS London meeting next April (2004), and we are very hopeful that he will be able to attend. There has been a resurgence of public interest in Trevor’s music in recent years, which has been reinforced by the recent New Concert Orchestra CD on Vocalion. We know that his numerous friends and admirers in the Robert Farnon Society would be delighted to meet him next April.

■ John Wilson will be conducting at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Friday 31 October, together with Gary Williams in the "Legends of Sinatra" show. Compere will be David Jacobs. (Thanks to Pat and John Hicks for this advance information).

■ Weinzweig is honoured at last [reports Pip Wedge]. John Weinzweig, the Dean of Canadian composers, about whom I wrote in JIM 155, was honoured in the year of his ninetieth birthday with a concert at the National Arts Centre on July 22nd. John attended the concert, to hear the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra under Bramwell Tovey play several of John’s favourite pieces, including Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring and the Pulcinella Suite by Stravinsky. The programme also included John’s own Divertimento for Flute and Strings, which won a silver medal at the Olympic Games in London in 1948 (yes, they gave medals for Arts, too, in those days).

■ Who are the keenest visitors to the RFS website? Recent statistics reveal that the top ten countries (in order) are: United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Brazil and New Zealand. 35.3% were from the UK, 26.7% from USA and 0.8% from New Zealand!

■ Charles Job and the Palm Court Orchestra have two concerts pending in British Columbia, Canada, next November, called "Love’s Old Sweet Song" and featuring Kenneth Lavigne, tenor. The dates are: Friday 7 November at 8.00pm Cowichan Theatre, Duncan; and Saturday 8 November at 8.00pm UVic Centre, Victoria, BC. The concerts will feature Edwardian/ Victorian parlour songs such as Because, Macushla and Brown Bird Singing while the orchestra will be playing selections from Ivor Novello’s The Dancing Years plus selections by Ketelbey, Curzon, Alford and Finck. For tickets telephone 250 748-9964.

■ John Rapson conducted Symphony New Brunswick (Canada) on 5 August in performances of Robert Farnon’s Jumping Bean and Westminster Waltz. Other light music in the same concert included Beachcomber (Clive Richardson), Cumberland Square (Ernest Tomlinson) and March of the Bowmen (Frederic Curzon).

■ We have learned the sad news that Geraldo’s widow, Mrs. Manja Geraldo Lee died at the beginning of July. Music lovers have reason to be very grateful to her for the way in which she kept Geraldo’s music alive. She was also a very generous benefactor in support of performances of the kind of music we all enjoy, and we know that she will be greatly missed by all who came into contact with her.

■ We hope that our British members with access to digital television keep an eye on the schedules for BBC Four. This fairly new TV channel broadcasts some important music programmes, and in July they screened an excellent tribute to Artie Shaw which was largely the work of Russell Davies and former Radio-2 producer Graham Pass. The same team are in the early stages of a similar project involving Robert Farnon.

■ Several RFS members were in the audience for English National Ballet’s "Melody on the Move" in July (see JIM 155 page 95). The attraction was the choice of Light Music, which included the famous Clive Richardson piece which gave the ballet its title, plus Robert Farnon’s Peanut Polka, Trevor Duncan’s Girl from Corsica and High Heels, and Eric Coates’ Knightsbridge March, among others. The press reviews were generally favourable, and it would be nice if this new work became a regular part of the ENB’s repertoire.

■ Judging by some trade publicity we have seen recently, there is already talk of the demise of the CD as we know it. But don’t despair – its place is likely to be taken by DVD. Originally intended mainly as a successor to VHS Video, DVD is now seen as the natural replacement for all existing music and video formats, plus video games and computer information systems. Already DVD has become the most successful consumer electronics product of all time.

■ Not all musicians achieve international fame, but during their lifetime they often give a great deal a pleasure to many people. Such a person was Harold Balaam, a cousin of RFS member John Swinyard who recently told us about him. Harold was born on 14 February 1914, and he learned to play the cinema organ at the Gaumont, Plymouth where he met Fredric Bayco. In 1934 he became Bayco’s assistant at the Dominion, Tottenham Court Road, and played at most of the Gaumont cinemas around London. In 1937 he moved to the Gaumont Palace, Exeter, from where he used to broadcast on the BBC West Region. In World War 2 he served in the Royal Marines, and later in 1953 he was asked by Lt. Col. Vivian Dunn to provide mainly Latin-American music on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Harold died on 9 December 2002.

■ Friday Night is Music Night was first broadcast on 25 September 1953, and the BBC is planning a suitable celebration for its 50^th Anniversary. Nothing more was known as we went to press, so we can only advise British members to check the details later this month in Radio Times.

■ Our friends in the International Ray Conniff Fan Club have published what can only be described as a most impressive tribute to Ray Conniff, who died on 12 October 2002 aged 85. ‘S Always Conniff is a Special Memorial Edition of the Club’s Newsletter, with full colour printing on glossy paper covering 68 A4 pages, which features numerous tributes from friends and members, and reports of his passing in various publications around the world. The compilation must have been a mammoth task, and it is a credit to everyone who was involved with it. Our own Secretary’s message to Manfred Thönicke is included on page 59.

■ Catherine Ford is archiving the papers of composer Barry Gray (real name Jack Eccles) who wrote the music for Thunderbirds and all those other Gerry Anderson TV puppet shows. Barry did some lyrics for the film "The Noose", which has a music score by Charles Williams.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline June 2003

■ Belated congratulations to Don Lusher, who was made an OBE in the New Year Honours. The Editor congratulated DON LUSHER on his OBE, on behalf of Robert Farnon and all RFS members. This is his reply:

Dear David & members of the Robert Farnon Society,

Thank you very much for your congratulatory message on my being awarded the OBE. I am very proud to have received it and especially "for services to the music industry" and not just for being a trombone player or a bandleader. For fifty-five years I have been very happy and privileged to work in the music business and I trust that during that time I have made some contribution to it. Diana has pointed out that's seventy-three years practising the trombone and still only on Book Two Tune a Day! When I received the news in November, Diana explained to me just how many people had worked hard in presenting their request for me to have an award. This started, I believe, in late 1996! After the New Year's Honours List came out, we learnt that many other people had also been trying. I am very grateful to all those people without whom I would not have been awarded anything! Often one receives an award on retirement, now this, I hope, is not so in my case. I do hope to go on working in my various capacities for some time to come. It is always a tremendous privilege to work for Bob. DON LUSHER, Cheam, ENGLAND.

■ Ken Wilkins sent us a cutting from his local paper, the Leamington Courier, which reported the death of Mrs. Winifred German, who was married to Arthur German, nephew of the famous composer Sir Edward German. Arthur had inherited his uncle’s original scores including the light operas Merrie England and Tom Jones. Following her husband’s death, Winifred continued to actively promote Sir Edward’s music. She died in February aged 90, and had always been very active in local music circles.

■ Johnny McLain tells us that Bardic Edition has recently published his Psalm – Johnny’s setting of The Lord is my Shepherd. It started life as a tribute to the late Anthony Fones (1919-1997), the renowned BBC arranger, who became a close friend of Johnny towards the end of his life.

■ The world of ballet has discovered Light Music! On 8 & 9 July the English National Ballet will be including a new work Melody on the Move in its season at Sadler’s Wells. As well as the famous Clive Richardson piece of the same name, this new work by Michael Corder will include Robert Farnon’s Peanut Polka and Eric Coates’ Knightsbridge March. This work will also be included as part of the Autumn Tour. Sadler’s Wells box office: 020 7863 8000.

■ In this issue’s ‘Keeping Track’ we review a new CD of Bob Hope recordings, in tribute to his 100^th birthday on 29 May. If he had lived, Bob’s long-time friend and comedy partner in many films Bing Crosby would also have celebrated his centenary a few weeks earlier – on 3 May. In Tune magazine (May issue) included an interesting article by Ken Barnes who worked closely with Bing in the 1970s.

■ At long last it seems as though our dream of a new Charles Williams CD will soon become reality. The recording sessions took place last February, and we hope to have some firm news regarding a release date in our next issue.

■ Ray Clark recommends a recent addition to the ‘Yesterday’s Britain’ video series. YB29 features five films relating to the building of London’s Victoria Line, on which work began in the autumn of 1962. UK readers can get this video for £12.95 from The Signal Box, 1 Albion Street, Anstey, Leics, LE7 7DD. Ray also informs us that there is a society dedicated to the memory of the 1951 Festival of Britain. For details write to: The Membership Secretary, FoB Society, 23 Langton Avenue, East Ham, London, E6 6AN.

■ Alan Bunting had a message from a friend in Sweden advising him that the Robert Farnon Naxos CD filled 25 minutes on their Music Channel on 10 March.

■ Mark Fox (of the International Tony Bennett Appreciation Society) informs us that Tony will be appearing on 29 June at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham; 3 & 4 July at The Royal Albert Hall, London; 6 July at George Square in Glasgow; and 7 July at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

■ Brian Neale was planning to come to our recent London meeting, but the Queen asked him to sing for her at Windsor Castle instead. Brian often sings in the chapel at Windsor, and the Queen obviously didn’t realise that the RFS was meeting on the same day!

■ The name Associated-Rediffusion will conjure up pleasant memories for many British readers. Ex-BBC producer Graham Pass is now working with them on television musical documentaries, and you are encouraged to keep an eye on Radio Times in the coming months for a feature on Artie Shaw – possibly on BBC Four.

■ Alan Bunting was recently involved in the BBC Television programme "Cash In The Attic". A film crew visited Alan at his home in Stirling where he was transferring some old 78s to a CD for an elderly lady who wanted to hear them again. We don’t know if the programme will have been seen by the time you read this issue, but this series has been repeated in the past so it may be worth checking Radio Times.

■ Robin King is interested in the pianist Dick Katz who was a member of the Ray Ellington Quartet back in the 1950s. There was a Nixa LP "Kool for Katz" in 1959, but Robin has been unable to discover much more about his career. If any readers can tell us more about Dick Katz, please contact the Editor.

■ John Wilson was featured on the cover of the April/May issue of Crescendo & Jazz Music. Colour photos inside pictured John rehearsing with his orchestra at the Royal College of Music for the RFH concert on 22 March. All the musicians were mentioned by name, which is a very nice touch.

■ Eric White presented an excellent tribute to Ron Goodwin on BBC Radio Norfolk, which was broadcast on Easter Monday, 21 April. His special guest was Cy Payne, who received a lot of encouragement and practical help from Ron during the formative years of his own career.

■ Forrest Patten in April placed "Holiday Spirit" by Clive Richardson for a Hershey’s Kisses national TV spot in the USA. Perhaps some of our American readers noticed it.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline March 2003

► Robert Farnon’s latest Vocalion CD features his Decca LPs "The Songs of Britain" and "Stephen Foster Melodies", together with other orchestral numbers from his days with Decca.

► Bob has recently composed a special piece for flute, which he has dedicated to his 10-year old granddaughter, Megan Walsh. She has recently taken up the flute (at her grandfather’s suggestion!), and she is the daughter of Bob’s own daughter Judith – the original ‘young lady’ to whom Bob dedicated To a Young Lady way back in the 1950s. Judith is married to a schoolmaster, and the family lives in Essex.

► The third volume of recordings by the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra is due to be released by Vocalion in the Spring of 2003. Some compositions by Robert Farnon are included and, of course, he also conducts some of the tracks.

► The Naxos CD Journey Into Melody featuring Robert Farnon’s compositions [8.110849] has a 3-star rating in the latest Penguin Guide Yearbook 2002/3 – full details on page 13 of JIM 150, March 2002.

► The December 2002 issue of Gramophone included a prominent full colour advertisement for recent Vocalion releases. Top of the list was ‘The Wide World of Robert Farnon’.

► A new Anne Shelton CD from Vocalion (CDEA6081) includes three numbers that were arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon: Don’t Misunderstand originally on Decca F9704; Come Back to Angouleme (F9622); and Love Me My Love – a vocal version of Rubinstein’s famous Melody in F (F9622).

► Robert Farnon’s Song of Scandia has now appeared on CD, as previewed in this column last September (JIM 152). It is performed by the Innovation Chamber Ensemble (made up of Strings from the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) with the cello solo by Richard Jenkinson – Blue Rhythm BR104. The rest of the CD includes works by Mozart, Elgar, Boccherini, Samuel Barber and Paul da Vinci, so Bob is in good company!

► A recent Robert Farnon composition is Conversation and Games for French horn and piano. It is published by Warwick Music Ltd., 1 Broomfield Road, Coventry, CV5 6JW, England – telephone 024 7671 2081.

► North American readers may be familiar with the name Fred Mills, who was leader of the Canadian Brass, now sadly disbanded. Fred has recorded Robert Farnon’s Scherzando for Trumpet and he performs it in concert with full orchestra.

► Robert Farnon has recently sent a special copy of the music of On the Lips of Lovers to Rachael Stirling, who is the daughter of Diana Rigg of "Avengers" fame. Like her famous mother, Rachael is also a talented actress. The music for On the Lips of Lovers is, of course, better know to us as the Lady Barbara Theme.

Belated congratulations to the distinguished German composer / conductor Werner Tautz who celebrated his 80^th birthday on 9 December 2002. A special CD has been issued by Bliss Records to commemorate this event, and you can read about it in this issue’s ‘Keeping Track’.

We understand that the acclaimed trumpet player Mel Broiles has not been very well just recently. We send him our very best wishes for a speedy return to good health. Members will recall that Mel made the first, breathtaking, recording of Robert Farnon’s Schertzando for Trumpet.

Andrew Lamb contributed a survey of the British Light Music scene to Gramophone magazine in their November 2002 issue. Under the heading "Sound Good, Feel Good" is was well written and should have alerted many of the magazine’s readers to the riches on offer. Andrew kindly mentioned our Society, describing it as a "haven for light music enthusiasts, issuing an especially impressive magazine." We hope that the Editor of Gramophone will invite Andrew to contribute a follow-up article soon, because the subject of Light Music is far too wide embracing to be covered in a couple of thousand words.

Philip Brady is well-known to our members in Australia, as one of their leading television personalities and broadcasters. He also has many friends in Britain, who met him some years back at one of our London meetings. If you are on the internet you can catch up with Philip’s exploits on 3AW, Melbourne. The weekly ‘Nightune Newsletter’ can be accessed (free) via Nightline@3AW.com.au - you can also hear the shows on the internet at www.3AW.com.au

Lancaster University holds the Jack Hylton Archives, and they have created a fine website, which includes a link to our own Billy Ternent biography. You can visit the University Library through www.libweb.lancs.ac.uk

Britain's greatest musical archive, containing Beethoven's score for his Ninth Symphony and a letter promising to write his Tenth, has been saved for the nation after an appeal raised £1 million. The archive of the Royal Philharmonic Society, the world's second oldest musical society, founded in 1813, is to be bought by the British Library despite a better offer from an American university. It is the most important source of information about concert music in the 19th and 20th centuries in Britain. It contains more than 250 original scores and correspondence with most of Europe's leading composers, including Berlioz, Brahms, Britten, Dvorak, Elgar, Debussy, Delius, Grieg, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Sibelius, Richard Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Wagner and Vaughan Williams. The society was founded to promote music and performers. The sale of its archive, which it could not afford to conserve or catalogue, will allow it to continue to commission orchestral work and to support young musicians. For a fee of £50, the society commissioned Beethoven to write his Ninth Symphony for its orchestra. But the cunning composer accepted the same commission from the forerunner of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. When the symphony was completed, Beethoven conducted it himself in Vienna in 1824, not in London. The archive also contains the manuscript score of Mendelssohn's First Symphony and Edward Elgar's score of The Dream of Gerontius, as well as a begging letter from Elgar when he was little known.

During the month of January 2003, for the second year running, SHALOM FM RADIO took to the airwaves on 101.4 MHz, broadcasting on a Restricted Service Licence to the Jewish Community in North-West London. The station’s output embraced a very broad spectrum, including talks, current affairs, religious programmes, and naturally much music. On Sunday evenings the 2-hour "Shalom FM Classics" programme was entrusted to the capable hands of Rodney Greenberg (presenter), and Tony Clayden (producer). All the music had some sort of Jewish connection, however tenuous – this could be the composer, arranger, conductor or soloists. Many genres were covered, including orchestral, instrumental, ballet, operatic, choral, film and musical theatre; within the sphere of Light Music were featured such names as Elmer Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein (no, they are not related!), Stanley Black, Vivian Ellis, Jule Styne, Sidney Torch and Charles Williams. Due to work commitments it was not possible to do the broadcast ‘live’, so Tony converted Rodney’s dining room in High Wycombe into a makeshift (albeit totally satisfactory) studio, and pre-recorded the entire 4-part series over a number of weeks in December and early January.

Ron Shillingford, Ron Goodwin’s manager had a message from the daughter of that great musician Eric Jupp to say that he passed away peacefully in Tasmania on 2 January2003 aged 80.

Message from Gerry Atkinson in Dorset:

I recently contacted Pip Wedge to ask if he might be able to supply a recent address for a company in the Toronto area. I had some misgivings at the thought of asking someone I didn’t know for a small favour out of the blue, but I can only say that I have been totally overwhelmed by the kindness he has shown and the help subsequently given. What a very nice man! I thought it would make a nice start for 2003 for you to hear that the RFS includes such exceptionally kind and helpful people. I found a similar generosity of spirit when I was in contact with Paul Clatworthy several years ago and I believe that the outlook of a society has much to do with the attitude of those involved in its organisation, in addition to the example set by the artists they admire and respect. Whilst writing I would also like to say that I’m sure members are always on the lookout for good music to add to their collections, so if any member is interested in tasteful, sensitive and intelligent piano playing why not give the recordings of Gene DiNovi a try. They are not always easy to locate, but the effort will be more than worthwhile. Several can be found on Candid and Hep as well as on Marshmallow, a Japanese label.

Peter Burt wishes to thank Philip Lane for pointing out an error in his report of our Spring 2002 London meeting. He incorrectly credited Rondoletta to Peter Hope, whereas the composer was actually David Lyon.

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Rosemary Monica McGuffie (nee McCheane). The devoted husband of the late Bill McGuffie, for many years Rosemary was the driving force behind the Niner Club Charity, which she and Bill had started in 1975 to support Autistic children and adolescents. In total the charity raised in excess of £350,000. It was wound up following its last event in January this year. Rosemary had a successful career in radio and television, working on programmes such as "Monty Python’s Flying Circus" and "Top of the Pops". She died aged 75 on Sunday 10 November, 2002, after a courageous fight against emphysema and cancer. She was a member of the Robert Farnon Society, and had been a great help to David Ades and Vocalion Records in the release of the CD "The Piano Artistry of Bill McGuffie" CDLK4103.

John Wilson conducted the Liverpool Philharmonic in a concert of British Music from Films and TV in Liverpool and Blackburn on 30 & 31 January 2003. He included Robert Farnon’s Sounds Familiar.

"Ralph Enriquez Started It …!"

What do you call a Rock Band which plays pianissimo?

Unemployed

The famous Austrian composer Franz Schubert once wrote a piece of music in an empty room. What did he call it?

The Unfurnished Symphony

If someone dropped a grand piano down a coal mine, which chord would you expect to hear first?

A flat minor

…. thanks [?] to John Govier!

The Edinburgh Light Orchestra, conducted by James Beyer, will be back at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, on Saturday 24 May 2003 with the usual mix of popular works from the light music repertoire. If you are not already on the mailing list, you can get the necessary information re booking etc. from James Beyer, 4 St John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT, - tel. 0131 334 3140.

Malcolm Frazer has come across two interesting interviews with Robert Farnon, which originally appeared in the magazine Crescendo way back in 1967. They can be found on the Ron Simmonds website: www.jazzprofessional.com

Jeff Hall has advised us that he has found it necessary to cease the printed version of his Film Music Bulletin, although he has plans to continue providing information on the internet. We have invited Jeff to contribute a regular column on film music for Journal Into Melody, because this is one area of the music scene which your Editor feels is not adequately covered by us at present. Another film music magazine that has ceased publication is Soundtrack, after 27 years.

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline September 2002

The Musical Museum (at 368 High Street, Brentford, Middlesex) is closing down in October this year (reports John Playle). Hopefully it will re-open sometime after April 2004 in relocated premises, purpose-built, very close by, but a little further towards Kew Bridge. The telephone number for enquiries is 020 8560 8108 – on Saturdays and Sundays between 2.00 and 5.00pm until October. Ernie Gipson included Robert Farnon’s Royal Occasion in a special concert of recorded music he presented at Southend’s Civic Centre on Tuesday 28 May. RFS member David Noades supplied two of the illustrations for the artwork on the CD booklet accompanying the reissue of the Johnny Harris album "Movements". He has rightly received a credit in the booklet: "It’s a dream come true for me, with my name mentioned alongside Johnny Harris" he tells us. The Music of Robert Farnon will be celebrated by Charles Job and the Palm Court Orchestra next March in two Canadian concerts on Friday 21 March and Saturday 22 March. The British pianist Philip Dyson will be a featured soloist. Tickets can be booked on (250) 748-9964 (Canada). John Wilson did a magnificent job arranging and conducting Howard Goodall’s music for the excellent BBC Film The Gathering Storm (about Winston Churchill in the 1930s) shown in July. Readers living to the east of London may fancy a trip down to the coast one evening. At the Boatyard Restaurant at Leigh-on-Sea (on the Essex coast) they can enjoy good food, plus the delights of the John Wilson Orchestra on the following dates: Fridays 27 September, 25 October and 29 November. The price is £45 per person, and you can telephone your booking on 01702 475588. James Beyer will be conducting his Edinburgh Light Orchestra at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, at their next popular concert on Saturday 9 November. This will be a special event, celebrating the Orchestra’s 25^th Anniversary, and we send our warm congratulations to James on this splendid achievement. To be on the mailing list just send your name and address to James Beyer at 4 St. John’s Gardens, Edinburgh, EH12 6NT. He will also keep you informed of the entertaining Sunday afternoon concerts at the same venue by the Edinburgh Palm Court Orchestra. The next two will take place on 29 September and 16 February 2003. You can combine the concert with a meal beforehand. Our website on the internet continues to establish contacts with many interesting people, who often leave messages in our Guest Book. We recently heard from Mrs. Geri Tamburello, widow of the late Tony Tamburello, who worked with Robert Farnon back in the 1960s and was also a talented light music composer. Geri wondered if we still remembered her husband; we assured her that we did! Rosemary Squires will be taking her charming show "Day By Day" (a celebration of the life of Doris Day) to the Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne, on Saturday 21 September, and the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, Yorkshire, on Friday 25 October – both shows commence at 7.30. The Hastings Light Orchestra continues to flourish (reports Allan Bula). They performed their third concert in Hastings at the St. Mary-in-the-Castle Arts Centre on 28 April, followed by appearances at the Komedia, Brighton on 28 May (as part of the Brighton Festival), and also appeared at the refurbished bandstand in Alexandra Park, Hastings on Jubilee Day Tuesday June 4^th. Brian Henson was recently impressed with a video of Vera Lynn on Thames TV in 1977 with George Shearing. It is currently available on Revelation PAR 50147. Malcolm Frazer had his request for Robert Farnon’s Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra played on BBC Radio-3 on Saturday afternoon, 27 July. Frank Southern has given us details of two forthcoming concerts featuring John Wilson conducting the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester: 25 January "The Bard on Broadway", and Saturday 22 February "Memories of the Light Programme" with music by Farnon, Coates, Strachey, Williams … and many other ‘greats’. Barry Wordsworth will be conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra in a gala concert "Celebrate!" at the Royal Festival Hall on Wednesday 18 September. Brian Kay will introduce a superb programme by Eric Coates, Sidney Torch, Robert Farnon, Stanley Black, Malcolm Arnold, Elgar, etc. The orchestra will also be at the RFH on Tuesday 10 December when John Wilson will be waving the baton for "Christmas Classics". Don Lusher visited a car showroom in Bournemouth on 21 June (reports Terry Tredget) together with Digby Fairweather and Tommy Whittle. They were supporting local impresario Bernie Farrenden, who had organised a concert in aid of the Macmillan Unit at nearby Christchurch Hospital.  

JUMPING BEAN

Dateline June 2002

"Journal Into Melody’s" own Gossip Column

♫ Sir William Walton’s original score for the film "Battle of Britain" is finally going to be restored to the soundtrack in this, his centenary year. Barely four minutes of his 25-minute composition were heard on the soundtrack (the marvellous Battle in the Air sequence), after the producers decided that they wanted the ‘typical American movie epic score’, and engaged Ron Goodwin. Walton’s score will not be new to his admirers: in 1999 Rykodisc issued a CD containing both the Walton and Goodwin scores (RCD 10747) and we revealed the story of how the ‘lost’ tapes had been rediscovered in JIM 139 (page 69). Apparently there are plans to issue a DVD of "Battle of Britain" with separate soundtracks containing both scores. When interviewed about this in April, Ron Goodwin said: "It’s a good idea. It will be a collector’s item. I never heard Walton’s score, apart from the ‘Battle in the Air’ section. I purposely didn’t because it would have been difficult to hear it first and then write a new score." Walton, who wrote the Coronation March for King George VI, and 16 years later for his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, as well as the scores for Henry V and Hamlet, had been particularly inspired writing music for the film because he had been so devastated by the war, his widow recalled. Lady Walton remembered the pain of rejection, which was all the more acute because he had been so proud of his work for the film. "He couldn’t sleep for weeks," she said. "Nothing like that had ever happened to him." Director Guy Hamilton said: "The producers caved in to the demands of United Artists, thus ruining Walton’s carefully crafted score. I think the idea of resuscitating William’s tremendous score is entirely valid." Footnote: When asked to step in at the last minute, Ron Goodwin wrote the 50-minute score in two to three weeks. It turned out to be one of his great works for the screen, alongside Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Where Eagles Dare and 633 Squadron.

♫ We know that many of our readers show a keen interest in music chosen for various TV programmes and commercials. Ray Clark recommends a reference book which should appeal to RFS members in Britain – "Tele Tunes 2002". The lists also extend to films and shows, and cover well-known shows from years ago, as well as more recent productions. UK members can get a copy by sending a cheque for £18.50 to the publishers, Mike Preston Music, The Glengarry, Thornton Drive, Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, LA4 5PU.

♫ Tony Bennett is back in the UK for more concerts this summer. If you’re lucky enough to get tickets, you can catch him at Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow on 2 July; London’s Royal Festival Hall on 4 & 5 July; and Liverpool Kings Dock on 7 July. Thanks to Mark Fox for this information. Early in April Tony made a flying visit to London, including an appearance on Michael Parkinson’s TV show. His former manager Derek Boulton caught up with him, and Tony expressed a wish to have as much Farnon orchestral music as possible on CD. Thanks to the current seven Vocalion reissues of Decca and Rediffusion albums, plus a few more recent CDs, the RFS Record Service was very happy to oblige! A parcel was promptly despatched to Derek, which soon found its way to Tony at the Dorchester.

♫ In this issue you will find a review of Steven Wills’ latest CD "A Girl For All Seasons", plus details of his previous release "Girl in a Suitcase". Readers will know that proceeds from these CDs go to Winchester Hospital Radio, and during 2001 Steven collected a total of £970, which was supplemented by a further £736 from Barclays Bank re their ‘pound-for-pound’ employee scheme from Test Card Convention sales. The latest CD includes a number of tracks composed by Jimmy Kennedy, which have been made available to Steven by Jimmy’s son Derek and his wife Rosemary. Jimmy Kennedy’s centenary is July 20^th 2002, so this release provides a timely tribute to a talented songwriter.

♫ ‘Society Century’ prompted a certain amount of brain cell activity in our last issue. Hucklebuckle mentioned three anagrams by Brian Henson of famous Farnon compositions. John Govier wrote to put us all out of our misery. SO NICE AT ASCOT is "State Occasion"; LET JUNIOR MEND YOYO is "Journey Into Melody"; and I WISH TO LIFT A HUGE BUN becomes "How Beautiful Is Night".

♫ As we go to press we have learned that the Birmingham Civic Society will be unveiling a plaque in honour of one of their city’s most famous musicians – Albert W. Ketèlbey. The event is due to take place on Wednesday 22 May at the Birmingham and Midland Institute. Tony Clayden has been invited to attend on behalf of our Society, and in our next issue we hope to have his report and a photograph.

♫ Philip Brady gave our Society a generous ‘plug’ in the Nightline Newsletter for 3AW Melbourne on 8 April (available on e-mail).

♫ Alexander Schatte writes from Berlin with some news that will interest German RFS members. This year the Munich Radio Orchestra celebrates its 50^th anniversary, and a fascinating book is now available – 50 Jahre Münchner Rundfunkorchester 1952-2002, edited by Doris Sennefelder – ISBN 3-7618-1530-1, price €24.90.

♫ We have heard that John Wilson is working on the score for a new television production about Winston Churchill.

♫ Gavin Sutherland has composed a musical based on "Little Women", which will be performed at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London during July. Antony Askew tells us that the music is magnificent, perhaps slightly reminiscent of "Oklahoma".

Dateline March 2002

"Journal Into Melody’s" own Gossip Column

In JIM 148 (page 75) Paul Clatworthy gave a warm welcome to the Vic Lewis CD "With Love to Gerry". We are very pleased to report that this album has been nominated for a Grammy in the Small Group section, and send our warmest congratulations to Vic who is, of course, a member of our Society.

♫Sometimes insomniacs hear better music on the radio than those of us who like to be tucked up before 11.00pm. Sunil Hiranandani enjoys record programmes introduced by Keith Skues, who broadcasts from the East Anglia region of England. Every night at 20 minutes past midnight he plays 20 minutes of music by one particular artist, and Robert Farnon was featured last October 20^th. Sunil tells us that Keith has also had Bob as his ‘orchestra of the week’. Until 2000 Keith Skues was a Squadron Leader in the RAF Reserves. He is a Freeman of the City of London, and was in the film "Sunday, Bloody Sunday". His nickname is ‘cardboard shoes’, from his days at the British Forces Broadcasting Service when he was supposed to be anonymous. He was about to say his name when the management came in, so that was the soubriquet he chose. Among his other achievements, Keith has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

♫Ray Clark has been checking out some new Videos and DVDs which might be of interest to readers. From 1959 until well into the 1980s the Central Office of Information produced a series of short Public Information Films designed to inform and amuse us all. Do you remember Charley, the safety-conscious ginger moggy? He’s here again in Volume 1 (catalogue number 7951095) of a collection of 73 animated classics released by Network Video. Volume 2 (cat. No. 7951109) comes from the same source, but features live action with many famous personalities of the 1970s – even the Dad’s Army platoon! These videos cost £10.99 each, and can be ordered through any MVC Entertainment video shop, or direct from: Network Video, 3 Wells Place, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 3DR – telephone 01737 646725. (Both videos are also issued together on one DVD for £14.99 – 7952095). There are also two new releases in the ‘Yesterday’s Britain’ series. "A Tonic To The Nation" (YB26) contains three films commissioned for the Festival of Britain in 1951. "Aspects of London Transport" (YB27) also features shorts form the 1950s. These two videos are available from: The Signal Box, 1 Albion Street, Anstey, Leicester, LE7 7DD.

♫As we mentioned briefly in our last issue, Desmond Carrington celebrated 20 years of his BBC Radio-2 "All Time Greats" programme last October. To mark the event, Graham Clarke produced an etching called "The Cat’s Whiskers" showing Desmond and his producer David Aylott broadcasting in the studio at Desmond’s Scottish home, surrounded by a wonderful collection of artefacts, including a tin of Columbia Loud Tone steel needles! Jumping Bean was honoured and delighted to receive one of the cards reproducing the etching, with a friendly greeting inside from Desmond and David. Sunil Hiranandani reminds us of an interview that Desmond gave last year to Mike Alexander of the Radio Magazine: "Six years ago I moved to Scotland, and would regularly take my own equipment into a tiny studio at BBC Edinburgh to do the show with a producer coming up from London. In 1995 Radio-2 decided to advertise their first batch of independent productions; six months later I was the successful bidder for the ‘All Time Greats’ contract." Desmond went on to explain that the first shows were done in the front room at his house, while a special studio was being built in the barn. Today his shows reach a world-wide audience, via the Internet, and there is a webcam showing him actually broadcasting.

♫We have previously mentioned famous musicians who achieve success in several different spheres of show business. Alan Watts wishes to add Frank De Vol to the list, after seeing the sleeve notes of his Italian Romance LP. It seems that Frank definitely qualifies as singer / arranger / composer / actor / comedian, mainly through his reputation for comedy on the Rosemary Clooney TV show. He also acted the funny man with Dinah Shore and George Gobel.

♫Last autumn David Mellor devoted his 2-hour Sunday show on Classic FM to Light Music on two occasions, after a very positive response to the first ‘toe in the water’ exercise in September. First time round he concentrated mainly on Ronald Corp’s Hyperion CDs, but in his follow-up programme he cast the net much wider. It does seem that Light Music is gradually becoming more acceptable to broadcasters, even though we still get the impression that it is included in schedules rather grudgingly. The big problem in Britain centres around Radio-2. It is clear that the BBC no longer regards this service as a middle-of-the road station, so maybe we should be trying to persuade them to start up Radio-6. This could cater for the many millions of 50-plus listeners who no longer have a national network which plays the kind of music they would like to hear. We know that many in this category no longer bother to switch on, except for very occasional evening and weekend shows. The BBC must be reminded that it is a public service broadcaster. It has a duty to provide radio which is not available from other sources. There are numerous ‘Radio-2 sound-alikes’ being broadcast all over the place by the commercial stations, and even the BBC’s own local radio services seem to be in competition with Radio-2.

♫Apart from Robert Farnon, another famous composer who made his home in the Channel Islands was Eric Spear. Sunil Hiranandani reminds us that he wrote the ‘Coronation Street’ theme, although before that he had composed the music for the early BBC TV soap ‘The Grove Family’. Why was the name chosen? Well, the programmes came live from the BBC’s Lime Grove studios in London.

♫We all know that Arthur Wood composed Barwick Green, which has gained musical immortality through its use as the signature tune for BBC Radio’s "The Archers". But did you know that Arthur had an actress daughter? Thanks to Sunil Hiranandani, we can reveal that she is Peggy Ann Wood, who played the much put-upon Vera Poling in Simon Brett’s "After Henry".

♫Other snippets from Sunil tell us that the composer of the 1958 hit "It’s All In The Game" eventually went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize (not for that song, we hasten to add!). His name: Charles Gates Dawes, and he wrote the song while still a student.

♫Here are some more British Transport videos advised to us by Ray Clark. Volume 6 "Famous Friends" (BFIV116) includes classics such as John Betjeman Goes by Train, Journey Into History and The England of Elizabeth plus 4 more. Volume 7 "Civil Engineering 1" (BFIV117) features Under the River, Making Tracks, Operation London Bridge and 3 others.