LOU WHITESON
Tony Clayden Salutes a Familiar Name from BBC Radio
Those who were regular listeners to BBC during the late ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and into the ‘80s will surely remember the name of Lou Whiteson.
If you look closely at who composed much of the catchy Light Music we all so enjoyed in our youth, then one name stands out. All the more surprising, therefore, that he became a largely forgotten figure.
The RFS US Representative spends a memorable day with one of his teenage idols
Forrest Patten Meets Roger Williams
What can I say? I've been a fan of Roger Williams ever since my Dad brought home a copy of his Kapp album BORN FREE back in 1967. As a budding pianist, I was looking for examples of popular songs of the day that I could pick up on and include in my own performance repertoire. Hearing Roger play, I realized almost instantly that he just doesn't "play a song"; he interprets the music in a very special way. That's what sets him a part from other musicians. He doesn't need to put on a splashy, Liberace-like stage show. When he performs in concert, his playing is all one needs to be instantly transported. From the stage, he talks to you like an old friend.
John Wilson was born at Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in the north-east of England on 25 May 1972, where he can remember always being fascinated by music. This eventually led him to study composition and conducting at the Royal College of Music, London, where his teachers were Joseph Horovitz and Neil Thomson. He graduated from the RCM in 1995, winning all the major conducting prizes and the coveted Tagore Gold Medal for the most outstanding student.
It seems astonishing that a composer whose output boasted a substantial body of orchestral works including 15 suites, 9 rhapsodies, 8 overtures, 3 big concertante pieces and nearly 50 other assorted items; six choral compositions, some chamber music - notably a string quartet and over a dozen instrumental solos - 7 song cycles and something in excess of 200 individual songs, should today be remembered more or less by just three of those vocal items (Roses of Picardy, A Brown Bird Singing and Love's Garden of Roses) and a single movement of his London Landmarks Suite - Horse Guards, Whitehall. It's not as if his musical credentials were in any serious doubt. Quite simply, Haydn Wood, along with others of similar stylistic ilk, fell victim to changes in fashion and especially the sharp reaction against music which preferred to concentrate on appeals to the heart rather than the head, as it were.
Peter Yorke conducted one of Britain’s most popular broadcasting orchestras from the 1940s until the 1960s. He was also a gifted composer and he created many stunning arrangements that brought out some fine performances from the top musicians he always employed.
"PASSING NOTES"
A Brief Biography of
LEON EDWARD STEPHEN YOUNG
Arranger & Conductor (1916-1991)
by his son MALCOLM HARVEY YOUNG
Leon Young was born on 21 April 1916, the son of Leon and Ethel Young. Named Leon after his father, he is especially treasured, particularly as his younger brother, Raymond, was soon to die in infancy.
Not merely a triple threat, Victor Young was known as a violinist, arranger, film composer, songwriter, conductor and record producer. This wide experience in all forms of music, from his first hit song,Sweet Sue, Just You in 1928 to his tremendous score for "Around the World in 80 Days" in 1956, was exceptional even by Tin Pan Alley and Hollywood standards, all the more so because his international reputation was achieved in such a short lifetime.
This Index, covering the years 1992-2006, together with its predecessor for 1956-1991 constitutes a finding guide to the contents of the 'Journal into Melody' over its half-century of existence.
As no reader can possibly remember where to find a particular or specific article in the past fifty years, consultation of the two Indexes enables one to pinpoint exactly when the article was published. Even if the author's name cannot be remembered, the article can be found under its subject.
Method of Compilation
This is an index of authors and subjects. An example or two will illustrate its correct usage:
ADDINSELL, Richard. Appreciation. 84: Sep 1986, 15.
This entry signifies that the composer Richard Addinsell was the subject of an
appreciative article in Issue No 84 of September 1986 on page 15.
ADES, David. Thoughts on Robert Farnon. 37: Dec 1972, 21.
This entry denotes that David Ades was the author of an article about Robert Farnon in Issue No 37 of December 1972 on page 21. It can also be found in the Index under Farnon, Robert.
The arrangement of entries under each heading is primarily chronological with some exceptions. The Index is neither exhaustive nor comprehensive. Contributions in lighter vein (e.g 'Jumping Bean', the crossword puzzles and the quizzes) were excluded.
The Society's Proud Record and its Journal
The Index confirms that the 'Journal into Melody' has been an excellent mirror of world-wide musical activity during the past fifty years. The Journal stands to the credit of the Robert Farnon Society which has consistently maintained its momentum and publishing record without a break since 1956. The trend continues to augur well for the future.
The Journal has been the mainstay of the Robert Farnon Society throughout these years. For members of the Society living further afield than Britain, the Journal has served as the principal link with the Robert Farnon Society. Above all, however, the 'Journal into Melody' provides a portrait of a truly great musician, Robert Farnon. There are a great many references to articles about him in the two Indexes, more than enough information to fill the pages of a large book.
The Robert Farnon Society was formed to honour Robert Farnon. Perusal of this Index confirms that the Society has succeeded in fulfilling this function with distinction.
Acknowledgements
Naomi Musiker excelled herself with her editing and immaculate typing of an often illegible and indecipherable handwriting. The latter certainly does not improve with the compiler's advancing years!
Reuben Musiker
February 2007
