Eric Coates Blue Plaque

[gurnemanz]

Always nice to read about a new one of these. Report here. I enjoyed these snippets:

Despite being a very accomplished orchestral player, Coates was dismissed from Sir Henry Wood's Queen's Hall Orchestra in 1919 for over-using understudies. His ready sense of humour and reported tendency to fall asleep during afternoon concerts may have been further sources of dissatisfaction.

Coates needed the right atmosphere to produce his work - his son Austin recalled how his father 'couldn't settle down to write music until he was properly dressed in the morning, complete with tie and Harris Tweed coat - and, perhaps, a Turkish cigarette'.

[Boilk]

I grew up on a council estate that had Elgar Close, Sullivan Way and Delius Close.
It was only as a teenager that I finally realised the significance of Coates Road as well!

[Serial_Apologist]

I grew up on a council estate that had Elgar Close, Sullivan Way and Delius Close.
It was only as a teenager that I finally realised the significance of Coates Road as well!

When Delius Close you can smell the cooking.

Er - I'll get me Coates...

[makropulos]

Always nice to read about a new one of these. Report here. I enjoyed these snippets:

Despite being a very accomplished orchestral player, Coates was dismissed from Sir Henry Wood's Queen's Hall Orchestra in 1919 for over-using understudies. His ready sense of humour and reported tendency to fall asleep during afternoon concerts may have been further sources of dissatisfaction.

Coates needed the right atmosphere to produce his work - his son Austin recalled how his father 'couldn't settle down to write music until he was properly dressed in the morning, complete with tie and Harris Tweed coat - and, perhaps, a Turkish cigarette'.

It's a very handsome plaque, and I happened to be walking beside Baker Street tube a couple of Saturdays ago when the man was up a ladder finishing off the installation. Delighted to see one for Coates.

[Petrushka]

I wonder if he is remembered at all in his birthplace of Hucknall in Nottingham?

As a side issue it's interesting that so much talent and genius has come out of the English Midlands (Elgar, Havergal Brian and Shakespeare among them). Coates, together with Ronald Binge and Sydney Baynes of Destiny Waltz fame (both born in Derby) represent the East Midlands.

[edashtav]

I wonder if he is remembered at all in his birthplace of Hucknall in Nottingham?

As a side issue it's interesting that so much talent and genius has come out of the English Midlands (Elgar, Havergal Brian and Shakespeare among them). Coates, together with Ronald Binge and Sydney Baynes of Destiny Waltz fame (both born in Derby) represent the East Midlands.

And... not forgetting Edmund Rubbra and Malcolm Arnold from Northampton, Petrushka.

[Petrushka]

And... not forgetting Edmund Rubbra and Malcolm Arnold from the Northampton, Petrushka.

I knew Arnold was from Northampton but not Rubbra. It really is an area of the UK that has produced so much artistic and cultural talent.

[makropulos]

I knew Arnold was from Northampton but not Rubbra. It really is an area of the UK that has produced so much artistic and cultural talent.

As someone who now lives in Rushden, Northamptonshire (near Wellingborough, not far from Northampton), it's very good to hear about these local musical connections. I knew about Arnold, but didn't realise Rubbra was also a local. Has anyone got any more?

[Petrushka]

Havergal Brian was born in Stoke on Trent (about 20 miles from here) and the city has strong Elgarian connections particularly from his early years.

[rauschwerk]

As someone who now lives in Rushden, Northamptonshire (near Wellingborough, not far from Northampton), it's very good to hear about these local musical connections. I knew about Arnold, but didn't realise Rubbra was also a local. Has anyone got any more?

William Alwyn was born in Northampton.

[Petrushka]

William Alwyn was born in Northampton.

Incredible! Three great English (though neglected) composers born in the same city. Is this a record for this country?

[Pabmusic]

I wonder if he is remembered at all in his birthplace of Hucknall in Nottingham?

As a side issue it's interesting that so much talent and genius has come out of the English Midlands (Elgar, Havergal Brian and Shakespeare among them). Coates, together with Ronald Binge and Sydney Baynes of Destiny Waltz fame (both born in Derby) represent the East Midlands.

Edward German from Whitchurch (Shropshire), Walford Davies from Oswestry, and Gerald Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th Baron Berners from Bridgnorth. Whilst from Birmingham there's Albert W. Ketèlbey (first British composer to become a millionaire - I heard once) and Stanley Myers.

Then if Oxford and Aylesbury are Midlands (they seem sometimes to be classed as South Midlands) there's Orlando Gibbons, Lennox Berkley and Rutland Boughton.

[edashtav]

And we've forgotten that dear Bob Simpson was born in Leamington Spa.