- Stanford Robinson
Stanford Robinson OBE (5 July 1904 -25 October 1984 ) was an English conductor, known for his work with theBBC .He was born in Leeds, and educated at the Stationers’ Company School and the
Royal College of Music , where he studied under Sir Adrian Boult.He was on the staff of the BBC from 1924 to 1966. Until 1932 he was the BBC's first chorus master, in which capacity he set up the
BBC Singers , theBBC Choral Society and theBBC Chorus .From 1932 to 1946 he was conductor of the
BBC Theatre Orchestra , and Director of Music Productions from 1936 to 1946. Later he was Opera Director and Associate Conductor of theBBC Symphony Orchestra (1946-1949), conductor of theBBC Opera Orchestra (1949-1952), and a BBC staff conductor (1952-1966).He made his Covent Garden début in 1937.
In 1968-69 he was Chief Conductor of the
Queensland Symphony Orchestra inBrisbane ,Australia .As composer or arranger his works included the "Savoy Dances" arranged from
Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and original ballads including "To You Eternally, A Prairie Lullaby" and "Love Me Not for Comely Grace", choral works like "The Three Crows" (for soloist, chorus and orchestra), a Rondo in C for two pianos, some short partsongs and a "Valse Serenade" for orchestra, which became the signature tune of his radio programme "Tuesday Serenade ". His association with G & S continued when he became one of the conductors to pick up the mantle ofSir Malcolm Sargent and conduct selections from their work at the Prom Concerts in theRoyal Albert Hall in the early 1970s. [Scowcroft]He made many recordings, of which probably the best known is the 1928 recording of ‘In Questa Reggia’ from
Puccini ’s "Turandot " sung byEva Turner accompanied by an unnamed orchestra. His recording of his "Savoy Dances" was released on LP and reissued on CD.In 1972 he was appointed an Officer of the
Order of the British Empire (OBE).He was the brother of popular conductor and broadcaster Eric Robinson (1908-74).
He died in Brighton, aged 80.
References
*Who’s Who, 1984, London, A & C Black, 1984, ISBN 0-7136-2385-3
*Cox, David: The Henry Wood Proms, London, BBC, 1980, ISBN 0-563-17697-0
*Reid, Charles: "Malcolm Sargent a biography", Hamish Hamilton, London, 1968Notes
External links
* [http://www.britishclassicalmusic.com/c-c.html Article by Philip Scowcroft on English composer/conductors, including Robinson]
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