Coup de Cœur

“This is the first of what promises to be the definitive modern series of the music of a composer of the most accomplished light classical music. That’s the second of two first-class recordings from John Wilson and Chandos in short succession.”

Ian Lace - Recording of the year 2019

 "... John Wilson conducts with supreme empathy with Eric Coates’s music and in the great tradition of Stanford Robinson and Eric Coates himself "

“John Wilson and Chandos are to be congratulated on embarking on this welcome new enterprise to record Eric Coates’ orchestral works … fine new recording, splendidly captured in the renowned Chandos sound. It opens with a suitably exciting and exuberant reading of Eric Coates’ Merrymakers Overture. It is delivered swiftly and definitely merrily … Very welcome is The Jester at the Wedding… The six-movement suite is a delight. It is scored for a large light orchestra with trombones and piano… John Wilson delivers a nicely nuanced and characterful reading of this major Coates composition. Dancing Nights must be one of Eric Coates’s loveliest, haunting melodies – and it receives a dream of a performance here… Finally there is a winning performance of Eric Coates’ London Suite … Throughout this appealing collection John Wilson demonstrates his enduring love of and empathy with the joie de vivre spirit of the compositions of Eric Coates (unofficially known as the ‘Uncrowned King of Light Music’). These readings undoubtedly match those historical recordings made by Eric Coates’ champion Stanford Robinson and, indeed by Eric Coates himself.”

“There’s no better way to begin a survey of Eric Coates’s Orchestral Works (irrespective of however many volumes this Chandos series will take) than with The Merrymakers (A Miniature Overture), which John Wilson and the BBC Philharmonic bring off exceptionally well, combining as-one foot-tapping exuberance and beguiling lyricism and a literal second of Elgarian pathos. There’ll be dancing in the aisles to this one… Roll on Vol. 2” *****

“… The excellent Manchester-based BBC Phil, led by Yuri Torchinski, are very well conducted by John Wilson – using his own definitive editions of the scores – with his customary flair. The quality of the sound recording (24-bit/96 kHz) made at MediaCityUK, Salford in January 2019 is as we have come to expect from this source. Eric Coates was a composer who had a prolific talent for a good tune. Described by his son as “happy throughout his life”, this album and the promise of more to come will undoubtedly give anyone wise enough to buy the CD or download a deal of happiness too.”

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