In retrospect it is clear that the 1940s had a major impact on the way in which Light Music would develop in the remaining years of the 20th Century. The somewhat genteel world in which many composers involved in the genre were living was shattered when World War 2 broke out in September 1939. Although their style of music would still be appreciated, it had to compete with other developments which would invigorate what some believed was a fading niche of the music scene. A fresh impetus was provided by the likes of David Rose, George Melachrino, Percy Faith, Sidney Torch and Robert Farnon - his very first composition for Chappell is included in this collection. Notable film scores also rub shoulders with a rare Concerto for Piano and Orchestra - “El Alamein”, composed by Albert Arlen in tribute to the soldiers who fought in north Africa.

Artists

Laurance Turner, Peggy Cochrane, Henry Bronkhurst, Guy Fletcher, Charles Shadwell Orchestra, David Rose Orchestra, Hallé Orchestra, Jack Payne Orchestra, Leighton Lucas Orchestra, Light Symphony Orchestra, Louis Levy 'Music From the Movies', Mantovani Concert Orchestra, Meredith Willson Orchestra, New Century Orchestra, New Concert Orchestra, Percy Faith Orchestra, Queen's Hall Light Orchestra, The Louis Voss Grand Orchestra, The Melachrino Orchestra, The New Century Orchestra, Wynford Reynolds Orchestra, Louis Levy Orchestra, Charles Shadwell, Percy Faith, Eric Coates, Sir William Walton, Wynford Reynolds, Charles Williams, David Rose, Jack Payne, Sidney Torch, Louis Levy, George Melachrino, Jay Wilbur, Frederic Curzon, Meredith Willson, Leighton Lucas, Rae Jenkins, Annunzio Paolo Mantovani