Search - Eric [Composer] Coates, Geoffrey Toye, Anthony [1] Collins :: British Light Music Classics - 1

Many middlebrow masterworks in the mix

Lee Hartsfeld | Central Ohio, United States | 06/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eric Coates' "Calling All Workers" and Edward White's "Puffin' Billy" (used as Captain Kangaroo's theme music!) are the two main reasons to buy this first-rate CD. The former work, from 1940, is an elegantly rousing and structurally flawless march in symmetrical binary form, with the second section making its final appearance in augmentation, the note values doubled for wonderful dramatic effect. Such by-the-book perfection is news when encountered in Mozart or Beethoven, and it should be given its due here. The equally effective "Puffin' Billy" is breezily structured by comparison, with a minimum of thematic material transformed through theme and variation and frequent modulations into a charming and satisfyingly complete train journey. The piece is repetitious as can be, but it doesn't sound that way, and therein lies the miracle of its composition. These two works steal the CD, hands-down.But there are several close seconds, including the marvelous, Satie-worthy "The Boulevardier," and "The Haunted Ballroom," a piece that evokes the title in a way that is almost spooky. And there's a corny but lovely piece by Albert ("In a Persian Market") Ketelbey called "Bells Across the Meadows." Ketelbey cunningly and cleverly suggests the bells of the title through the subtlest of means--namely, bells sounding in the distance. Across the meadows, almost. But the music works, and that's all that matters."

Fills a need for many music collections ...

Ed Brickell | 11/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Intelligent, entertaining light orchestra music is something I find fills a great space in my collection. It's perfect for those days you just don't feel up to Mahler or Wagner, but still want some music in your life. This excellent first volume in one of Hyperion's most popular series is a great way to get started.All of the tunes on this generously-filled CD are written by British masters of light music and played with fizzing energy and a sense of fun by Ronald Corp and his fine orchestra. No piece outstays its welcome and some may be familiar to you -- especially "Puffin' Billy," which was used as the theme for the old Captain Kangaroo children's show! Many are probably very familiar to British listeners, having been used as openers for popular BBC radio and TV shows over the years.Tuneful and entertaining, this CD is a great find and could become one of your favorites. Give it a chance -- like me, you may find yourself hunting after others in the series: British Light Music Classics 2 and 3, American Light Music Classics, and European Light Music Classics."

British music we don't hear enough of

Richard S Green | College Park, MD United States | 11/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD brings a smile to my face. Vanity Fair and the Boulevardier will make you light on your feet. Dusk is another beauty. The CD is full of wonderful, clever music. I'm looking forward to getting CDs 2 and 3. The music may have been around for a while but it is a fresh as ever."