Ernest Tomlinson (b.1924) is one of the most prolific of all
light music composers. He has been compositionally active since before the
Second World War when he began composing as a choirboy at Manchester Cathedral.
Tomlinson’s musical achievement is considerable, however relatively few of his
works have appeared on CD. At present
there are some 13 albums listed on Arkiv which feature his music. Most
of these are one number samplers. Only the two Marco Polo discs are dedicated
exclusively to his works.
The delightful ‘Little Serenade’ is possibly one of the
composer’s best known pieces (others may include the Suite of English Folk
Dances and ‘Kielder Water’. The piece began
life as a part of the score of a radio musical play, The Story of Cinderella. Interestingly,
the ‘book’ for this musical was written by Roy Plomley of Desert Island disc
fame. This was performed in 1955. The ‘Serenade’
is featured early on in the tale, when Prince Charming first sets eyes on
Cinderella. It is at the moment when she is unaware of his princely rank. The ‘song’ develops into a ‘love duet.’ This is a ‘delicately winning’ (Gramophone March
2000) little number that bears many hearings.
Tim MacDonald, writing the liner notes for the Marco Polo
recording of this work, reminds the listener that this tune has been used as a
signature tune in at least five radio and TV programmes and that the work has
been subject to more than thirty ‘assorted’ arrangements.
Other survivals from this suite of incidental music are the ‘Fairy
Coach and the Cinderella Waltz. The original play was commissioned by the BBC and
was broadcast on Christmas Eve, 1955.
The ‘Little Serenade’, conducted by the composer, can be
heard on Marco Polo 8.223413. Other
versions include Ronald Corp on Hyperion CDA67148, and an early performance dating
from 1955 with George Weldon conducting the Pro Arte Orchestra on EMI 0887962. There
is an attractive YouTube
video featuring this music. Finally I
cannot resist showing a picture of the iconic George Weldon Light Music LP
cover.
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