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A 257th GARLAND OF BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC COMPOSERS

Let us begin with Wilfred Worden, who was active during the 1940s and 1950s. His orchestral Two Impressions, Opus 27, clearly Welsh-inspired, as the titles are The Lost Cantref and March of Glyndwr, received a number of performances in their day. His accessible piano solos included Menuet et Musette (Salle des Glaces), clearly a Baroque pastiche and published in 1951, Pas de Deux (1949) and Pastel (1943).

Next, a mention for A. Woodall, whose Christian name I do not know, for his attractive Serenade for flute and piano published by Rudall Carte maybe a century ago, but still being played. (He appears to be a "one work man").

Tom D Newell was actor and choreographer on the English musical stage. He also composed, contributing numbers to the 1928 show Billy Blue. Other English stage "singletons" were Marion Hart, responsible for the book, lyrics and music for Gentlemen’s Pastime, which managed just 18 outings at the Players Theatre in 1958, and Hugh Hastings, who in 1962 adapted his play Seagulls Over Sorrento as a musical (with the title Scapa) and composed the songs himself.

However, these were criticised as being "unmemorable" and the show, put on at the Adelphi, was not a success.

Finally mentions for the composer, active around mid-century, of three orchestral miniatures which so far as my information goes, are also "singletons": Commissionaire by Ernest W. Hastings (orchestrated by Howard Carr); Patterns For Strings by Ralph Hart; and Toy Piano Minuet by one T. Harrison.

Philip L Scowcroft

March 2002


Enquiries to Philip at

8 Rowan Mount

DONCASTER

S YORKS DN2 5PJ

Philip's book 'British Light Music Composers' (ISBN 0903413 88 4) is currently out of print.

E-mail enquiries (but NOT orders) can be directed to Rob Barnett at rob.barnett1@btinternet.com


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