Anthony Collins: VanityFair

Anthony Collins (1893-1963) was a British composer (student of Holst), viola player (London Symphony Orchestra) and conductor (famed for his Sibelius interpretations). He went to the USA in 1939, and achieved success as a 3-times Oscar nominated composer of film scores. He somehow found time to compose four symphonies, two violin concertos and operas as well. Alas, these gather dust, but his light orchestral encore 'Vanity Fair', written in 1952, lives on, and there are several fairly recent recordings. I believe it is scored for flute, 2 clarinets, glockenspiel and strings, but I think the published piano version - which is very close to the orchestral one - works well. The piece is Schubertian in its expansiveness and harmonic meanderings (some of the Rosamunde ballet music comes to mind), although the texture changes little throughout.
---------------------------------------------------------------------Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• classical
• light
• British

[iwarburton]

This was one of a number of tunes used to introduce Woman's Hour on the radio circa 1959. I knew it even before that and have never tired of it.

[PSearPianist]

@iwarburton Thank you - that's interesting. I may well have heard it as a small child in that context.

[Addehiovy]

Wow! A super rendition of this lovely piece of music! This is the first time I have heard this piece since the 1960's!

[PSearPianist]

@Addehiovy Thank you. I had never heard it myself until I found the score.

[libramoon2]

lovely.........

[PSearPianist]

@libramoon2 Thank you - I'm glad you liked it!

[libramoon2]

Was this beautiful piece used as the signature tune for a radio programme? I can't remember where I first heard it, but it would have been back in 1959 ....... ?

[PSearPianist]

@MeredithHonex Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment!

[MeredithHonex]

I've always thought that the label of 'light music' to this piece was wrong. It is sad & wistful. The piano arrangement & excellent playing show that a full orchestra is not needed to convey the mood or harmonies.Thank you so much for your playing and for taking the trouble to post.

[PSearPianist]

That's very kind - I'm glad you liked it!