Listeners who have come across Gainsborough-born
composer John Longmire will most likely have done so for two reasons. Firstly,
his long-time friendship with John Ireland: Longmire was to write one of the
few biographical studies of John Ireland, based on his personal recollections.
Secondly, for his remarkable contribution of piano works to the repertoire for ‘musical
education’.
Residents of the Channel Islands
may recall his tenure as director of music of The Guernsey Choral Society between
1945 and 1954.
In amongst Longmire’s ‘teaching
music’ there are several more demanding piano pieces. The present musical evocation
of ‘Regent Street’ in London is designed as a march, owing much to Eric Coates ‘Oxford
Street’ and ‘Knightsbridge Marches’ from the London Suites.
Although ‘Regent Street’ is categorised
as being for ‘children’ I think that it requires at least Grade 6 ½ to pull it
off properly. The formal structure is quite straight forward. There is a jazzy
main theme which is marked ‘With a swing’ which fairly bounces along. This is
balanced by the ‘trio’ section which is much more serious in content. Like all
good marches, the big tune is reprised toward the end of the work which finally
concludes with a final flourish.
I enjoyed this piece, which evokes
for me one of the most vibrant parts of London. For many years, I would walk
the length of Regent Street at Christmastide enjoying the lights and the many fascinating
shops (sadly some now vanished). Occasionally, I would wander off into the quieter
adjacent lanes such as the Man in the Moon Passage, the once fashionable
Carnaby Street or New Burlington Mews. Finally, reaching the end of the street,
I would visit the ‘heights bar’ at the St George’s Hotel in Langham Place for a
drink overlooking the whole of London, or decamp to ‘The Gluepot’ (The George,
Great Portland Street).
To my knowledge, the only recording
of ‘Regent Street ‘is included on Duncan Honeybourne’s remarkable survey of less-well-known
British piano music on Grand Piano GP789. This album includes music by Leo
Livens, Arthur Butterworth, Christopher Headington and Peter Racine Fricker. It
was released during 2018.
Regent Street was published in
1962 by H. Freeman & Co. of Brighton.
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