Classic Ross Amico

Tag: British Light Music

Montague Phillips British Light Music

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Montague Phillips (1885-1969). Phillips composed in many different genres, but he is probably best known for the light music classics he wrote between the wars. They’re the perfect antidote to an arduous beginning of the work week. Enjoy some of it as part of an hour of British Light Music, this Monday evening at 6:00.

We’ll also observe the birthdays of American composer George Whitefield Chadwick (1854-1931) and Finnish composer Joonas Kokkonen (1921-1996). We’ll sample from their music and much more this afternoon, beginning at 4:00 EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Montague Phillips on Dutton Vocalion Records

November 13, 2017
Sleepy Lagoon British Light Music WPRB

Join me by the sleepy lagoon. It’s British Light Music until 11 a.m. EDT on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com.

August 17, 2017
British Light Music A Sweet Morning on WPRB

Drowse by a sleepy lagoon with Eric Coates. Luxuriate to bells across the meadows with Albert Ketèlbey. Cherish the roses of Picardy with Haydn Wood.

We’ll attempt to lighten your load this morning on WPRB with a program of unpretentious, unapologetically melodic music, drawn from the genre known as British Light Music. Living relics of a bygone era, British Light Music enjoyed its heyday in the age of palm court orchestras and during the formative years of radio. Its antecedents reach back to sentimental music of the 19th century and works like those of Sir Arthur Sullivan and Edward German, and its influence continues to make itself felt in the lighter music of John Rutter and Philip Lane.

To allow me to catch my breath and actually enter the playlist online (at wprb.com), we’ll also hear a symphony by Robert Farnon, a piano concerto by Haydn Wood, and a cello concerto by Sir Arthur Sullivan, lost in a fire in 1964, but resurrected through a remarkable feat of memory by conductor Sir Charles Mackerras.

This kind of music may not be for everyone, but it’s definitely for me. It will make for a very sugary breakfast, that’s for certain, this Thursday morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. Trip the light fantastic, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 17, 2017
British Light Music for Summer’s End

I don’t know about you, but I could use a little light in my life.

Join me this Thursday morning on WPRB, as I present a program of British Light Music, a genre I think perfectly suited to mid-August, when it is still summer, but the light begins to take on a more lambent quality.

The music will be very civilised [sic], conjuring a world of palm courts and spa orchestras, comfortable evenings spent around the radio and carefree days by the sea.

We’ll hear music by Light Music masters Ronald Binge, Eric Coates, Frederic Curzon, Albert Ketèlbey, Billy Mayerl, Ernest Tomlinson, Edward White and Charles Williams, among others. We’ll also take periodic breaks from the sweetmeats to enjoy concert works by Light Music composers Robert Farnon and Haydn Wood and perhaps even a selection or two from English light opera.

Tea and cucumber sandwiches will be served, this Thursday morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. Get ready for plenty of sweetness and light, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 16, 2017
British Light Music Lost Chord WWFM

Trip the light fantastic. This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we take a nostalgic journey with an hour of British Light Music. I hope you’ll join me for vintage recordings, featuring works by Albert Ketèlbey, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Sir Edward Elgar, Richard Addinsell, George Scott-Wood, Haydn Wood, Billy Mayerl and Eric Coates. That’s “Distant Light,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

August 6, 2017

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