Classical Music: Eric Coates Orchestral Works Vol 4

Eric Coates Orchestral Works Vol 4

Music Everywhere (Rediffusion March); Footlights (Concert Valse); I Sing to You (Souvenir); The Three Bears (Phantasy); From Meadow to Mayfair (Suite)
Under the Stars; Four Centuries (Suite)

BBC Philharmonic John Wilson
Chandos CHAN 20292
https://www.chandos.net/

Eric Coates music is instantly recognisable and uplifting. His orchestrations, rhythmic energy, and creativity make his melodies striking and unforgettable.

This fourth volume of his orchestral works with the BBC Philharmonic, under John Wilson's direction, immediately delivers the characteristic Coates sound with the rousing march Music Everywhere, commissioned by Britain's first independent TV and radio service, Rediffusion, for use as its signature tune. Wilson's commendable ability to let the music speak is evident in the impeccable phrasing and perfectly judged pace of this disc.

Coates has an indispensable knack of transporting the listener back to times past, as he does with his souvenir I sing to you. One minute you are in a British wartime dance hall, the next you are Under the Stars, composed in 1928 and marking Coates' first inclusion of an alto saxophone in his orchestration.

The Three Bears Phantasy, written for his young son Austin, transports the Goldilocks fairytale firmly into the 1920s. Here, Coates' imagination conjures up the story with a delightfully light score that captures all the elements of the story, including the 45-second earworm 'Who's been sitting in MY chair?' or Goldilocks continuing on her way home and telling her grandmama about the bears.

The BBC Philharmonic bring Coates' charming narrative to life with exceptionally controlled playing.

From Meadow to Mayfair reflects Coates’s own journey from rural Nottinghamshire to life in London. Once again, the descriptive titles match what Coates has achieved in his compositional writing. Coates effortlessly conveys the magic and excitement of an evening in town.

Four Centuries Suite is one of Coates's longest and largest orchestral works. Richard Bratby reminds the listener that Coates was intensely proud of it and was indignant when, under pressure from the BBC, Sir Henry Wood refused to perform it in the Proms.

Its four movements evoke the musical styles of the seventeenth (Prelude and Hornpipe), eighteenth (Pavane and Tambourin), nineteenth (Valse and Scherzando), and twentieth centuries (Rhythm). Dedicated to his wife, Phyllis, the work is also a celebration of the couple’s lifelong love of dancing.

The mesmeric woodwind, especially the flute and string accompaniment in the prelude, leads into a jaunty hornpipe full of rhythmic fervour but retaining the enthralling elements. The remaining three movements are equally excellent and full of ambience. Rhythm, with a nod to Coates’ hero Gershwin, brings this suite to a close, but I doubt it will not be long before your body starts rhythmically twitching, and I would be surprised if you don’t immediately play it again. Everything on this disc is appealing and wonderfully presented.

A triumph.