Archibald Joyce: Caravan Suite

Featuring

Andrew Penny
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Archibald Joyce

Did you know?

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Composer Biography

Archibald Joyce, known as 'The English Waltz King', was born in Belgravia, London, and began studying violin and piano at an early age.

Performer Biography

Andrew Penny, the conductor, has made over 50 recordings for Naxos and Marco Polo, focusing on British music, and was awarded the MBE for services to music in 2014.

Composer Biography

Joyce's artistic style remained firmly in the Edwardian era, and he expressed disapproval of jazz, believing it represented a 'slip back to the jungle'.

Composer Biography

Joyce played in various dance bands from his teenage years, sometimes on cruise ships, where he was listed as a bandsman under the name 'Arthur Joyce'.

Recording & Production

Archibald Joyce was the first British bandleader to make records specifically designed for dancing, starting in 1912 for the National Gramophone Company.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Joyce believed his waltzes were primarily for dancing, not for listening, which limited his exploration of more extended light concert music.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Joyce concluded that the Viennese waltz was not suited to English dancers and decided to write 'Valse-Lente' pieces with a smoother, dreamier character.