Alan Langford (1928-2011) Galop (from a French Suite)

You might not think that light music composer Alan Langford and classical composer Rossini had anything in common, but believe it or not both were born on leap year day. To celebrate this achievement I have published two pieces by these composers on their respective birthdays. Alan Langford was born in London 1928 and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Benjamin Frankel. In 1953 he joined the BBC, leaving in 1962 to concentrate on composition at his home in Majorca. He rejoined the BBC in 1966 and subsequently became producer of Friday Night is Music Night and Matinee Musicale (among others) before retiring finally in 1988. Langford also wrote many pieces for the recorded music libraries, one such composition was "a Little French Suite" which he later expanded into a concert piece. One of the movements was entitled "Galop" a rather carefree humorous work which is full of mischievousness. The Galop is played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gavin Sutherland.