Music and Film
Film music is popular with our member orchestras. We have a comprehensive collection in our library worth exploring.
Frank Cordell stands as one of Britain’s most versatile midcentury musicians, a composer, arranger, conductor, and musical thinker whose career moved effortlessly between broadcasting, recording, contemporary music, and the grand canvas of historical cinema. Born in Kingston upon Thames, Cordell first emerged as a gifted jazz pianist, winning a Melody Maker poll at just seventeen. His early work in London film studios and his RAF service during the war shaped a musician with both technical fluency and a keen instinct for clear, communicative melody. We have the music to Khartoum and the lesser known 1959 film Captain's Table in our library.
Listen to some music from the film HERE
Contact our Library team for further information about works we have by Cordell.
Women composers
We are exploring the many works in our catalogue by women composers and arrangers.
With over 100 women represented, there is plenty to discover.
Valentina Crespi (1892–after 1959)
Born in Milan and trained under Armand Parent and Jenő Hubay, Valentina Crespi was a violinist-composer whose career spanned Europe and America. She performed at the London Proms in 1912 and later composed elegant salon pieces such as Steluta, Frills and Furbelows, and Serenata (1915–17). Her music, often written for small orchestra or piano, blends continental lyricism with the charm of early film scores — a bridge between concert hall and cinema. Naturalised in the United States in 1925, Crespi later settled in Switzerland, leaving behind a body of work that deserves rediscovery for its grace and cosmopolitan flair.
Search our women composer listing HERE
Listen…
What makes your audiences smile?!
Here is a suggestion that would make a perfect programme filler or encore.
Liz in a Tiz - Trevor Duncan
We have a version of this for orchestra in our library.
Repertoire ideas
Here are works being borrowed from our library by member groups:
Second Suite of English Folk Dances - Tomlinson
High Society Selection - Porter
Suite of Cotswold Folk Dances - Lane
Pot Pourri from Der faule Hans - Nedbal
Our Classical World
Our library is not just about Light Music. We have a significant collection of lighter opuses from the western classical tradition.
Here is a suggestion:
March from The Love for Three Oranges - Prokofiev
Composer of the Month
Robert Farnon
Often called “the greatest living composer of Light Music” during his lifetime, Robert Farnon (1917–2005) shaped the sound of postwar British broadcasting. A Canadian by birth, he settled in London after wartime service and became renowned for his radiant orchestral writing. Jumping Bean, Portrait of a Flirt, and Westminster Waltz remain classics of Light Music. His lush string sound, impeccable craftsmanship, and gift for melody influenced arrangers from George Shearing to Quincy Jones, securing his place as one of light music’s most enduring voices.
Here is one of his lesser-known works, Jockey on the Carousel.
We have several of his works in our library. Contact us on lmsliborders@gmail.com for more information about the music we have by this composer.
Looking Ahead…
Our October play day is coming up. Book your place for a great day of music making at our home at the Victoria Hall, Bolton.
Light Music News
Champion of Light Music John Wilson returns to the BBC Proms, this year celebrating some great British classical music. Featuring music by such luminaries as Frank Bridge, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Imogen Holst, the concert on the 6th of September, is not to be missed!
Savings Available
Can your group benefit from ordering more orchestral sets from LMS?
Music groups can order multiple orchestral sets at a reduced rate. Here are the details.
Orchestral Music sets for sale
Is your music group looking to buy some orchestral music?
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