| Administrative History | Ernest Leslie Bridgewater (1893-1975) was born in Halesowen. He studied at the Birmingham School of Music with York Bowen and was, for a time, Director of Music at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford on Avon. He composed incidental music for 19 Shakespeare plays; for other plays, including 'The Beaux Stratagem', 'The Relapse', 'Tartuffe', and 'Dear Octopus'; and for films, notably 'Train of Events'. He had a piano concerto broadcast on the BBC in February 1947 and recorded on Paxton but he is best known for his work for light music at the BBC, where he founded the Leslie Bridgewater Quintet (piano and strings) and in 1939-1942 the BBC Salon Orchestra. He arranged a lot of music, especially baroque items, for the Quintet. He composed for the small orchestra and his works included 'Alla Toccata' (strings), 'Rustic Suite', the suite 'Ballet in Progress', the caprice 'Prunella' (for violin and orchestra), 'Harlequin', 'Spirit of Youth' and 'Love's Awakening'.
Source: Biography of Bridgewater in Philip Scowcroft, 'British Light Music' (London, 1997), Biography at http://www.britishclassicalmusic.com/garland1.html |