Music Everywhere - Rediffusion March (1948)
Footlights - Concert Valse (1939)
I Sing to You - Souvenir (1940)
The Three Bears - Phantasy (1926)
From Meadow to Mayfair - Suite (1931)
Under the Stars (1928)
Four Centuries - Suite (1941)

This release is the 4th in a continuing series of orchestral music of Eric Coates (1886-1957). John Wilson is the ideal interpreter with all his experience not only in the previous releases in this series, but also his extensive conducting expertise in diverse compositions like musicals such as Oklahoma, as well as extremely well received performances of major composers such as Copland, Ravel, Ireland, Dutilleux. He is an astonishingly flexible conductor, and the BBC Philharmonic an experienced ensemble well versed in a similarly broad range of compositional styles from its time as the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra.

These compositions usually are described, often with a hint of dismissal as 'Light Music'. The term 'Light Music' implies it is lesser, certainly less 'weighty', than 'serious' music. It is certainly different from my own typical daily listening, much less introspective, much in the way the waltzes of Johann Strauss II are. However, each of the works on this current release display Coates' incredible gift of melody, and orchestration skills - astonishingly consistent given the wide range of dates the compositions represent. He represents one of the most skilled creative practitioners of this craft, his personal skillset represented by a long career as a professional orchestral musician at the highest levels within the British musical world of his time.

This genre is not one I often choose to listen to, but I was continually impressed by the high standard of composition they represent, by the cheerful spirit they engender, and by the high standard of playing and recording the BBC Philharmonic and Chandos devote to this release. Each piece, and they are generally of a shorter length, continually delighted me. If I were to pick one out of them all, I would point to the Meadow to Mayfair Suite. Three short movements, but each a perfect jewel of their genre. From the opening enjoyable Rustic Dance, through the swooningly sentimental Romance, played with hearts fully on their collective sleeves, to the gentle swaying final waltz. It is a delight.

It made me think of the genre of Light Music, and its value overall. On one hand, some of Eric Coates' most well-known works will represent a nostalgic reminder of a world long past. This is certainly true for particularly British listeners of a certain age. For example, 'By a Sleepy Lagoon' in Vol. 1 of this series has been the intro music for the long-running BBC Radio series 'Desert Island Discs' for many decades. That and the DamBuster's March (in Vol. 3) are amongst the most familiar in that scenario.

But it is more than that. Such music may require less concentrated and focused listening to comprehend, and in that sense may be said to be simpler. They ultimately do not ask the hard questions about life and existence in the way the greatest composers do (for me anyway). But they can warm the heart, and can provide very good fun, can be enjoyed in company as easily as on one's own. They are forgiving of interruptions and at their best can leave one feeling a deep sense of happiness.

In this sense they remind me of being on an enjoyable vacation, with good friends, in a place where I do not have to worry about making beds, cooking food, or dealing generally with such realities of everyday life. Like any good vacation, they provide an internal rejuvenation, and put home into a new perspective, giving it a new and greatly enhanced value. This release has made me understand that for possibly the first time, and I feel lucky I was able to enjoy myself on a musical vacation. I am pleased now to be back home, to the greatness of the music I listen to at home and see in it its new light.

I was reminded of Noel Coward's famous quote from Private Lives, "Extraordinary how potent cheap music is". Potent indeed, and I encourage any potential listener to experience that same rejuvenation it offers.