Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

August 27, 1886 in Hucknall, Nottingham, England

Death

:

December 21, 1957 in Chichester, Sussex, England

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Eric Coates was a British composer and conductor who was born on August 27, 1886, in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, England. He was the youngest of three children born to William Coates, a doctor, and his wife, Mary Jane. Coates showed an early interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of six. He later learned to play the piano and the viola. Coates attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Frederick Corder and piano with Tobias Matthay. He also played viola in the Queen's Hall Orchestra under the direction of Sir Henry Wood. After graduating from the academy in 1910, Coates worked as a freelance musician, playing in various orchestras and working as a music arranger. In 1919, Coates was appointed conductor of the Covent Garden Promenade Concerts, a position he held for three years. During this time, he began to compose his own music, including his first major work, the suite "The Three Elizabeths," which was premiered in 1944. The suite was based on the lives of three British queens: Elizabeth I, Elizabeth II, and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Coates' music was characterized by its tuneful melodies, lush orchestration, and patriotic themes. His most famous works include "The Dam Busters March," which was used in the 1955 film "The Dam Busters," and "Knightsbridge March," which was used as the theme music for the BBC radio program "In Town Tonight." Other notable works include "By the Sleepy Lagoon," which was used as the theme music for the BBC radio program "Desert Island Discs," and "London Suite," which was inspired by the sights and sounds of the city. Coates was also a prolific composer of light music, including waltzes, foxtrots, and other dance music. His music was popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and he was often referred to as the "King of Light Music." Some of his most popular light music compositions include "Calling All Workers," "Footlights," and "The Merrymakers." Coates was married twice. His first wife, Phyllis Black, was a singer and actress whom he met while working in the theater. They were married in 1913 and had two children together, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1929. Coates later married Sylvia Scarlett, an actress and writer, in 1936. They remained married until Coates' death in 1957. Coates continued to compose music throughout his life, and his works were performed by orchestras around the world. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1953 for his contributions to music. Coates died on December 21, 1957, in Chichester, West Sussex, England, at the age of 71. In conclusion, Eric Coates was a British composer and conductor who was known for his tuneful melodies, lush orchestration, and patriotic themes. He composed a wide range of music, including orchestral works, light music, and dance music. His most famous works include "The Dam Busters March," "Knightsbridge March," and "By the Sleepy Lagoon." Coates' music continues to be popular today and is often used in films, television programs, and radio shows.

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