Search - Hon. W. Brownlow, Eric [Composer] Coates, Eric Coates :: Coates: By the Sleepy Lagoon; Summer Days; London Suite

Eric Coates Conducts His Own Music.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 10/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Eric Coates wrote light music that was very good music. A very experienced practitioner, he was highly regarded by his public, his publishers, his colleagues, and by record companies. He recorded his own works extensively, and inimitably. Peter Dempsey, working from original 78s issued between 1926 and 1940, has produced and annotated this welcome addition to the Naxos catalogue devoted to Eric Coates conducting his own music. The orchestra, usually named "Symphony Orchestra" on the original labels and in this Naxos issue also, was frequently the London Philharmonic Orchestra - no less. This was the case with Tracks 2 - 5, 9 - 12, and 14. You'll hear an hour of delightful music here, well transferred and presented."

Ah, Nostalgia!

John Austin | 11/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I'm sure there are those that would disagree with me, I consider this the Mecca of all Eric Coates CDs. To be able to hear the works not only written by the composer but conducted as well...What can I say? The fact that during the reengineering of the original recordings not all of the hisses, cracks and pops were removed only adds to the charm and enjoyment of these fabulous and historic recordings. Best on the disc: bands 10, 11 and 12, "London Suite," recorded in March of 1933."

Charming Coates Recordings

Robert E. Nylund | Ft. Wayne, Indiana United States | 02/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The best of British light classical music in the first half of the century, represented particularly by Eric Coates and Alfred Ketelbey, is a glimpse of a vanished era. Coates' music is largely forgotten in the U.S. today. Record-collectors, however, quickly discovered Coates' wonderful recordings via the numerous 78-rpm discs he made for Columbia and Decca/London, released in both the U.K. and the U.S. Fortunately, Naxos has digitally remastered some of the best of these delightful performances.



Coates was a gifted melodist and orchestrator. He was also a very competent conductor, as these recordings demonstrate. It is a real treat to hear him conducting his own music, some of which was recorded in stereo by Frederick Fennell for Mercury Records. These are truly light classical gems, much in the "pops" vein, and can be enjoyed both classical music lovers and those who prefer the lighter classics."