Eric Coates was a key figure in the development of what the British call "light music" and what Americans call "easy listening." Beginning in the tradition of Arthur Sullivan, he staked out a middle ground between pop and classical music, writing popular songs and orchestral pieces that later in his career incorporated a good deal of jazz. There are several good albums devoted to his music, but the distinctive feature of this one is that it inaugurates a series of Coates' orchestral works. The album mixes some of Coates' ...
Read More
Eric Coates was a key figure in the development of what the British call "light music" and what Americans call "easy listening." Beginning in the tradition of Arthur Sullivan, he staked out a middle ground between pop and classical music, writing popular songs and orchestral pieces that later in his career incorporated a good deal of jazz. There are several good albums devoted to his music, but the distinctive feature of this one is that it inaugurates a series of Coates' orchestral works. The album mixes some of Coates' bona fide hits with lesser-known works (the jazzier pieces are saved for later), and in general, those who like Coates will find the project worthwhile. You get to hear pieces complete that are generally excerpted, like The Jester at the Wedding Suite (apparently from a nonexistent ballet) and London, the last movement of which is the "Knightsbridge March" that caused so many calls and letters to come in to the BBC that the network printed up a special reply card (the booklet notes are...
Read Less
