These discs present a rich and varied flavour of Britain’s capital city. Offering a diverse and wide-ranging taste of music spanning over three centuries, the pieces on this compilation are evocative of London in all its glory, whether that be light musical cameos of famous locations, to the archetypal Coronation Anthems of Handel and the eponymous symphonies of Haydn and Vaughan Williams. This 2-CD set contains music by some of Britain’s most popular native and adopted composers. The first disc on this compilation offers a nostalgic trip back through British light music, easily recognized for its emphasis on instantly accessible and catchy melodies. Tracks include the popular Yeoman of the Guard overture by Arthur Sullivan, as well as extracts from the London Suites by Dam Busters composer Eric Coates and Dankworth’s Rediffusion London Call Sign. The second disc comprises more traditional pieces, ranging from delicate lute arrangements of Henry VIII’s attributed ditty Greensleeves to Walton’s joyous coronation march Crown Imperial.

Artists

Martin Knowles (tuba), John Lenehan (piano), Dorothy Linell (lute), Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Artillery Band, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, English Northern Philharmonia, English Sinfonia, Tallis Chamber Choir, Royal Academy Consort, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Cappella Istropolitana, Andrew Penny, Adrian Leaper, Major Geoffrey Kingston, Barry Wordsworth, Gavin Sutherland, Ernest Tomlinson, Paul Daniel, Howard Griffiths, Jeremy Summerly, Kees Bakels