Charles Williams & His Concert Orchestra was a British classical music ensemble that was active from the 1930s to the 1950s. The orchestra was founded by Charles Williams, a composer, arranger, and conductor who was known for his work in film and television. Williams was born in London in 1893 and began his musical career as a pianist and organist. He later became a conductor and arranger, working for the BBC and various film studios. In the 1930s, he formed his own orchestra, which he called the "Queen's Hall Light Orchestra." The ensemble was made up of some of the best musicians in London, and it quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances of light classical music. In 1940, the orchestra was renamed "Charles Williams & His Concert Orchestra," and it began to focus more on recording and broadcasting than on live performances. Williams continued to compose and arrange music for the orchestra, and he also conducted many of its recordings and broadcasts. One of the highlights of the orchestra's career was its performance at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The orchestra played a number of pieces during the ceremony, including Williams' own composition "The Westminster Waltz." The performance was broadcast live on television and radio, and it was seen and heard by millions of people around the world. Another notable performance by the orchestra was its recording of the theme music for the television series "The Adventures of Robin Hood." The theme, which was composed by Williams, became one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of music in television history. Over the years, the orchestra recorded many albums of light classical music, including popular pieces by composers such as Johann Strauss II, Franz Lehár, and Edward Elgar. The orchestra's recordings were popular with audiences around the world, and they helped to establish Williams as one of the leading composers and arrangers of light classical music in the mid-20th century. In addition to its commercial success, the orchestra also received critical acclaim for its performances and recordings. In 1955, Williams was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for "Outstanding Services to British Music," in recognition of his contributions to the field of light classical music. Despite its success, the orchestra disbanded in the late 1950s, as changing musical tastes and the rise of rock and roll made it more difficult for classical ensembles to find an audience. However, the legacy of Charles Williams & His Concert Orchestra lives on, as its recordings continue to be enjoyed by fans of light classical music around the world.

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