Coates: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1

Featuring

John Wilson
BBC Philharmonic
Eric Coates

Did you know?

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Cultural Impact

Coates's orchestral works reached millions as theme tunes for popular BBC radio shows like "In Town Tonight" and "Desert Island Discs."

Composer's Artistic Vision

Eric Coates believed that 'the country is for dreaming and the town for work,' influencing his move to a London apartment for composing.

Critical Reception

Upon his death in 1957, obituarists described Eric Coates as 'the uncrowned king of light music,' highlighting his significant contribution to the genre.

Recording & Production

The London Suite, which became a best-selling record, was almost not recorded; Coates had to beg orchestral members to forgo part of their lunch break to squeeze it into a session.

Composer Biography

Eric Coates, the composer, was dismissed from Henry Wood's Queen's Hall Orchestra in 1919 for sending deputies to rehearsals, which led him to a career as a commercially successful British composer.

Performer Biography

John Wilson, the conductor on this album, formed his own orchestra, the John Wilson Orchestra, in 1994, dedicated to performing music from the golden age of Hollywood and Broadway.