In A Persian Market

Albert Ketelbey (1875-1959)
1. In A Persian Market 5:46 Min 1.35 Mb
2. Bells Across the Meadows 4:54 Min 1.15 Mb
3. In the Mystic Land of Egypt 5:56 Min 1.39 Mb
4. In A Chinese Temple Garden 7:11 Min 1.68 Mb

Mezzo Soprano Jean Temperley
Tenor Vernon Midgley
Piano Leslie Pearson
Ambrosian Singers
Chorus Master John McCarthy
Philharmonia Orchestra
John Lanchbery
Recorded 1978

Albert William Ketelbey was born in Birmingham in 1875.

In his youth he was head chorister at St Silas's Church. At the age of 11 he composed a Sonata for Pianoforte which he played not long afterwards to an admiring Edward Elgar. In 1998, the manuscript for this work came up for auction at Sotheby's and was purchsed by the City and is now in the Archives of the Central Library.

He studied at the Midland Institute School of Music. After a further spell as a student at Fitzroy College, London, Ketelbey attended the Trinity College of Music, where he beat the runner-up, Gustav Holst, for a musical scholarship. He distinguished himself in numerous fields, especially in composition. His first works were in the classical style and a Quintet for Strings was awarded the Sir Michael Costa prize.

However, he developed a talent for descriptive writing and, of all his many works, it is those of this genre, In a Chinese Temple Garden, and In a Persian Market that show his ability to catch atmospheric tone.

He was active in several other fields including being music editor to some well-known publishing houses and for some years Musical Director of the Columbia Gramophone Company.

He was a popular conductor and was well esteemed in the theatre world where he conducted for Andre Charlot at the Vaudeville Theatre, London. He also conducted many concerts of his own works in London and the Provinces and, as guest conductor with well-known orchestras on the continent, including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. His reputation on the continent was probably higher than in his own country. In fact, a Viennese music critic once said of Ketelbey's music that it came second only to that of Johann Strauss and Franz Lehar.

Ketelbey died in 1959 at his home, Egypt Hill, Cowes, Isle of Wight, aged 84.

Source: Birmingham City Council