Gordon Langford RIP 1930-2017

[Serial_Apologist]

Also, people don't laugh in anything other than a fake hysterical way as much these days.

They were at the hen party I was at the other night.

(Or maybe, it wasn't fake )

[ahinton]

Gordon's tunes were mainly 7 or 8 out of 10 lacking that last ounce or two of something!

I'm sure that our member Richard does better than that although, of course, he'd be far too modest to say so!

Personally, I confess to being a hapless tunesmith and almost certainly would remain so even were I to change my name to Smith...

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm sure that our member Richard does better than that although, of course, he'd be far too modest to say so!

Personally, I confess to being a hapless tunesmith and almost certainly would remain so even were I to change my name to Smith...

These might help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiWs5_vDYJc

[Hornspieler]

I first met Gordon when we were fellow students at The Royal Academy of Music.

He was Gordon Colman in those days and he played 2nd Trombone in the orchestra.
Called up to do his National Service, he elected to join the Royal Artillery Band and it was there that he started (like the late Alan Civil) to make comic arrangements of Wind and brass music.

("Beethoven on Parade". "Schoenberg in the Ballroom" - that sort of thing.)

But his interest soon focussed on music for Brass Bands - in particular, competition pieces and arrangements for the now sadly defunct BBC programmes such as "Listen to the Band"

I don't know why he decided to adopt a different surname. Maybe another of our fellow students, the great trombonist Denis Wick would know the reason.

A fine musician, sadly no longer with us.


RIP

[BBMmk2]

Radio 3 just after the 8am news bulletin played Langford's Rhapsody on British Sea Shanties. Played by Black Dyke Mills(as it was then called), conducted by Roy Newsome.

[ardcarp]

I don't know why he decided to adopt a different surname.

Gordon's mother's maiden name was Langford. He kept his original surname (Coleman) as a private citizen until about 20 years ago when he changed it by deed poll to become officially Mr Langford. It just made life less confusing, he said.

I went to Gordon's funeral today where many musicians, publishers and record producers were present as well as several old RAM fellow-students, and of course local friends. It was a fine service where some of his music was played, some in recording and some live.

Gordon's children told a story of the day in 1971 when he received the Ivor Novello award. The latter is a hefty bronze statue. He returned from the ceremony, on the bus, the said hardware being carried unceremoniously in a carrier bag.