Farnon Light Orchestral Works
A welcome reissue of postwar gems‚ though probably best heard in small doses
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Robert Farnon
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: Historical
Magazine Review Date: 4/2002
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 52
Mastering:
Mono
ADD
Catalogue Number: 8 110849
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Jumping Bean |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Kingsway Symphony Orchestra Robert Farnon, Conductor Robert Farnon, Composer |
(A) Star is Born |
Robert Farnon, Composer
(Robert) Farnon Orchestra Robert Farnon, Conductor Robert Farnon, Composer |
Portrait of a Flirt |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Kingsway Symphony Orchestra Robert Farnon, Conductor Robert Farnon, Composer |
Journey Into Melody |
Robert Farnon, Composer
(Robert) Farnon Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
Willie the Whistler |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Charles Williams, Conductor Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer |
Melody Fair |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Conductor Robert Farnon, Composer |
Canadian Caravan |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Charles Williams, Conductor Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer |
Ottawa Heights |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Conductor Robert Farnon, Composer |
Mountain Grandeur |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
Gateway to the West |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Conductor Robert Farnon, Composer |
(The) Huckle Buckle |
Robert Farnon, Composer
(Robert) Farnon Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
How Beautiful is Night |
Robert Farnon, Composer
(Robert) Farnon Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
State Occasion |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
Taj Mahal |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
High Street |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
Sophistication Waltz |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Conductor Robert Farnon, Composer |
Manhattan Playboy |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
String Time |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
In a Calm |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
Peanut Polka |
Robert Farnon, Composer
Queen's Hall Light Orchestra Robert Farnon, Composer Robert Farnon, Conductor |
Author:
The recording dates of the 20 pieces here give an acute sense of the impact Robert Farnon made on the British light music scene immediately after the Second World War. The earliest two recordings – Willie the Whistler and Canadian Caravan – date from 1946 and are conducted by Charles Williams‚ showing Farnon’s beginnings writing music for the Chappell Music Library. After that‚ he is given his head to conduct his own music. It’s difficult to avoid a sense of wonder at the attractive melodies that then emerged from one man in such a short time.
Most of the recordings included here were made for the Chappell Music Library‚ and indeed in one or two cases producer David Lennick has preferred the Chappell originals to the commercial remakes Farnon made for Decca. Connoisseurs may thus enjoy spotting subtle differences from familiar versions. In a few cases we do have the Decca remakes‚ most notably in the celebrated Jumping Bean and Portrait of a Flirt‚ made on September 8‚ 1948 and issued as the two sides of a single 78rpm record.
Not all the most popular numbers are here‚ The Westminster Waltz being the most notable absentee. I confess that‚ with 20 pieces laid end to end‚ the sound of singing strings is apt to become a little wearing. However‚ nobody who appreciates Farnon’s joyous contribution to British light music can fail to appreciate having all these numbers – familiar and unfamiliar – so well transferred and available at such a bargain price.
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