‘The Composer Conducts’, Vol. 1

When composers conduct their own music one assumes that it is being performed exactly as they intended. Therefore such recordings are particularly valuable, and this collection (and the companion Volume 2 on GLCD 5178) includes examples of occasions when composers willingly picked up the baton. Lighter works tend to predominate in this volume, starting with the landmark recording that helped to launch Ron Goodwin’s illustrious career. Goodwin would soon gain recognition internationally, alongside other big names such as Percy Faith, David Rose, Morton Gould, Leroy Anderson, and Charles Williams. Less well-known composers, among the twenty-six talented musicians who make enjoyable contributions to this collection, include Gerard Calvi, Roger Roger, and André Popp (all from France), alongside Cedric Dumont (known as ‘Mr Music Man’ in Switzerland) and Holland’s foremost light music supremo, Dolf van der Linden.