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-
G u e s t b o o k 2002
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Guestbook entries for the year 2002 are published below: |
|
About 15 years ago, I've heard "The Typewriter" played on a local radio
station. That's the last time I heard it broadcast locally. I was immediately fascinated
by the tune, it was my first encounter with Leroy Anderson's work. At that time, it was
never known to me who the composer was... Many years later I played my first Leroy's
piece, "The Syncopated Clock", on a Yamaha Electone. I love this piece so much
and used it as one of my exam pieces. Ever since then I've been wondering, did Mr Anderson
compose other works??... Thanks to the World Wide Web, I found this web site and has all
my questions answered, after nearly 15 years!! I bought my first Leory's orchestra pieces,
"The Syncopated Clock" and "Sleigh Ride" in December 2001, and I never
regretted buying them. Until now, I can still remember the joy of sequencing "Sleigh
Ride" on my music workstation and synthesizer. It was a great fun and wonderful
experience, but almost like fitting a jigsaw puzzle. I have never played a complete full
orchestra piece on a keyboard before, and it certainly came to me as a big challenge. Each
instrument part was carefully played and recorded on a track, starting with 1st flute
right up to the sleigh bells, nearly 30 instruments in total. Well, the first sign of
trouble is when I run out of tracks, in the end I have to squeeze a few parts into one
tack!! I remember smiling to myself whenever a part is completed, and I will play back the
newly finished part together with the previously recorded parts, which means I have
listened to the tune over 30 times when completed! What really amazed me is that, when you
listen to a part it seems to tell you a story of itself. When all parts are played
together, every individual story fit in seamlessly; they are being "told" at the
right place, at the right time and at the right tone! That's the ingenious Anderson's
touch. I wonder if Mr Anderson is also a good story teller?? Every Leroy Anderson's work
that I have sequenced has this characteristic, which explains why I'm never sick of
listening to the parts over and over again; you always hear a different tune when you mute
some parts, simply too many combinations to experiment with! Until now I can still clearly
remember what note was played and when, even without looking at the scores - don't know
why my brain seems to remember all the parts I have played, better than names and
telephone numbers! Of all the parts my favourite are the French Horns (1 to 4), the
harmony is fantastic in the hands of Mr Anderson!! It's the Anderson's touch that keeps me
wanting to play more. Ever since then, I have become a fanatic of Leroy Anderson's work.
By end December 2002 my collection has grew to 11, they are "The Syncopated
Clock","Sleigh Ride","The Typewriter","Song of the
Bells","China Doll","The Girl In Satin","Jazz
Legato","The Penny-Whistle Song","Lazy Moon","Shall I Take
My Heart" and "Town House Maxixe". Each of these pieces has a truly unique
style. I always find something special in every piece of Leroy's work, and I am never
disappointed. I will continue to explore Leroy Anderson's works and introduce them to my
family and friends. It has certainly gave me a lot of joy and inspiration over the past 1
year. Sometimes, I wish to have the ingenious musical talent of Leroy Anderson! Lee Kok How <lee_kok_how@hotmail.com> Singapore - Tuesday, December 31, 2002 at 13:57:36 (EST) Well, I have signed the guestbook before, but I must echo what another guest has
said about the Christmas Carols album with the white cat on the cover. This is the finest
collection of carols I have ever heard -- Leroy Anderson was a superb orchestrator and
arranger in addition to being a great composer -- and I listened to it for more
Christmases than I can remember. I miss it so, and also have been hoping it would be
re-released on CD. Can the Andersons shed any light on this? Is there any chance it will
be out on a CD one of these days? I had even considered having my LP expensively
transferred to CD, but there are too many big skips and scratches. On another subject, I
recently obtained a CD of Anderson's piano concerto. Fabulous. I cried the first few times
I heard it. So like Leroy Anderson's other music -- some themes are joyful and light,
others are achingly beautiful. Everyone who loves his music should have this in his
collection. But, please, could you answer us about the Christmas album?
Christmas would never be complete without the joyful sounds of Leroy Anderson's
music and this year I was able to enjoy his "Christmas Festival" composition
here in Concord with our resident symphony orchrestra and of course the stunning
"Sleigh Ride"...pure joy... Christmas and Mr. Anderson what a great combination.
Naturally I will enjoy all the other music by Mr.Anderson all year long....but all that
joy in "Sleigh Ride" makes me look forward to Christmas 2003...Best wishes to
all the Andersons and all on this web site..
I grew-up with a Leroy Anderson album called "Christmas Carols" Would like
to find it in CD. Had the following: Wassail Song, L, How a Rose, O Come Little Children,
In Dulci Jubilo, Angels in Our Field Abiding, Pastores A Belen, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, I
saw Three Ships, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, The Coventry Carol, March of the Kings,
A Christmas Festival, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Sanctissima, While By My Sheep, Bring
A Torch Jeannette Isabella, We Three Kings, Patapan, Away in the Manger, From Heaven High
I Come to You. This was a top notch album when it came out. The cover was a white cat. Oh,
how I wish I could find this in CD. I haven't found anything as good as this for Christmas
in an orchestral setting. I am watching "Once Upon a Sleigh Ride" right now. I finally get to
"meet" the man behind the site that my husband (Sid) originally set up. Being
born in 1952, I grew up hearing alot of Mr. Anderson's music and didn't even know it! It's
a pleasure to know the man behind the music.
I love the fact that Mr. Anderson's music is uplifting and inspires peace and unity
in the world. I think that all music will either inspire a listener to be a better person
or a worse person. Music affects us more than we think, and what Leroy did was give the
entire world a wonderful selection of music that was writen only to inspire us for good.
Being a composer in training, I also want to have a basis for the music I create to be
both uplifting and be able to appeal to the masses. I received my first Leroy Anderson recordings exactly 40 years when I asked my
mother to buy me some for Christmas. I was discovering Mr. Anderson's music in Junior High
Band and I wanted to hear more of it. Those first 2 recordings were the best Christmas
presents I ever received! I've been hooked on Leroy ever since and his music inspiried my
own career as an arranger. I am currently staff arranger for the Royal Hawaiian Band in
Honolulu. We recently played the newly published work "Govenor's March". I
highly recommend it to all concert bands. Also if you are intersted in rare music of Leroy
Anderson check out the "Cut from Goldilocks" songs that are published by
Woodbury Music Co. Rare songs that you will seldom hear but pure Leroy Anderson magic,
non-the-less. I would like to wish Mrs. Anderson a Merry Christmas and thank her for her
continuing energetic efforts in bringing Leroy's beautiful music to the attention of all
of us. It just wouldn' t be Christmas without SLEIGH RIDE and A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL. Mele
Kalikimaka to all!!! Bill Wiley, Staff Arranger Royal Hawaiian Band I am trying to ascertain the original key of Sleighride This afternoon I watched the PBS special "Once Upon a Sleigh Ride" about
Mr. Anderson and his music. I remember listening to many of his pieces when I was younger,
most notably "The Syncophated Clock, The Typewriter and Sleigh Ride." The music
is so uplifting, so joyous that I am immediately placed in a happier frame of mind. My
best wishes to Mr. Anderson's family.
Years ago I met and was freindly with your brother Eric. If you are in touch with
him please send him my regards. We were both in an organization called Record Research. Mr. Anderson's music is much more influential than I first thought. After listening
to the CD "The Typewriter" I recognized the majority of the tunes and fondly
remember them from being played frequently on the radio during my childhood. My
ten-year-old son is now an instant fan of Mr. Anderson! Hello, I am doing genealogy wiht Sweden and my great grandmother who was from Tjurko
Karlskrona, Sweden was an Anderson and she married Frank Oscar Berg who's surname got
changed after coming to MAerica to Carlson but we really were from the Anderson/Berg roots
of Karlskrona [Tjurko] Sweden.. My great grandfather was a stonecutter and had one time
lived and worked on Hurricane Island off the coast of MAine near to the Vinalhaven Island
which is off the coast of Rockland, Maine.. Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. Dover High
played 2 of Leroy Amderson's song at Xmas concert last night.. Lovely music.. Sincerely,
Arlene Wise:goldenseal@attbi.com
BEING A FORMER MEMBER OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENTAL BAND, I HAVE PLAYED LEROY
ANDERSON COMPOSITIONS MANY, MANY TIMES. MY FAVOURITE BEING "BUGLER'S HOLIDAY". I
WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO PURCHASE CDS BY LA. COULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE WHERE AND IF I CAN ON
THE INTERNET? REGARDS AND MANY THANKS FOR HOURS OF PLAYING PLEASURE. (BASSOON &
PERCUSSION) As a young teenager i use to stay up late on sunday nights just to hear Forgotten
Dreams at the end of the channel 7 news telecast. They played it for years. What utter exuberant joy this man's music brings to my life. From the lovely and
rather haunting Arietta to The Typewriter, which I make a game of trying to swing to the
next line at the proper time and make the sounds (great fun), to Blue Tango, the happy
nonsense of the Sandpaper Ballet -- goodness -- all of it, all the moods and inventions,
all a symphony to sing to, dance to -- all the way from my head through my heart to my
toes. Delightful, beautiful, glorious music. All the world will let us down sometimes,
including ourselves, but good music never lets us down. Leroy Anderson may have invented
that idea too! What a gift to the world he was and is. Thank you for this marvelous web
site!! I have loved the music of Leroy Anderson since I was a small child. I sing with the
Tallahassee Community Chorus and we recently performed with the Tallahassee Sympony and
"Sleigh Ride" is a stable for the annual Holiday concert. It's indeed
unfortunate that lost his creative genious so early in life.
Was moved by show on TV about Mr. Anderson. Liked Piano Concerto in C. Bought
several of albums in '50s & 60s; have copied then to CD. Still great. Am glad that I
lived during Mr. Anderson's life. Roger Evoy 1679 Ludwell Dr. MAple Glen, PA 19002 I have played Bugler's Holiday in a trumpet trio (off and on) since 1966. What a
master piece! I am President of Baltimore's Marching Ravens which is the 400 member marching Band
of the NFL Baltimore Ravens. The band history dates back to 1947 when they were the
Baltimore Colts' Marching Band. During the years when Baltimore was without a pro-football
team, the Colts' Band stayed together promoting Baltimore around the nation to show we
still had the spirit in Maryland for pro-football. In 1996, when the Browns became the
Ravens, the Modell Family when owned the Ravens adopted the Colts' Band and made them into
Baltimore's Marching Ravens. Being a member for 40 years, and a big fan of Mr. Leroy
Anderson, I saw what joy and happiness his music has brought to our members and for our
fans throughout the years. We have used many of Mr.Anderson's compositions since 1947 and
still do to this day. What delights me is the young people coming into our organization
and playing Mr. Anderson's compositions for the first time and the excitement in their
faces thinking they discovered something new. This only goes to show Leroy Anderson will
live on forever in his wonderful compositions for generations to come. John Ziemann Band
President Baltimore's Marching Ravens
I'm a member of the Mary Washington College Community Orchestra, which recently gave
an all Leroy Anderson concert. The music was genuinely fun to play and to listen to.
Thanks to Kurt and his mother (Leroy's widow) for contributing so much - scores,
information, videos - and for coming all the way to VA to hear us. It was a very memorable
event. My wife and I were also attendees at Mary Washington College's recent concert
honoring the life and works of Mr. Anderson. Thank you, Kurt, and Mrs. Anderson for
honoring us with your appearance. It truly was a wonderful evening....brought back many
memories of playing his pieces in school concert bands and orchestras. Mr. Anderson, to
me, is in a class by himself among composers. I liken him to Norman Rockwell, in that he
was a composer who produced music loved by the masses. And that is a wonderful legacy to
leave behind! I am a trumpet player / high school music deparment chair / instrumental music
director. I bought "Once Upon a Sleigh Ride" is September, thinking it would be
fun to show around Christmastime to several of my music classes. It's a great video. Very
informative, and appropriate for any time of the year. Very well-done. By the way, even
today's students recognize and enjoy Leroy Anderson's music! I highly recomend this video.
Louis A. Spagnola- BS; MMEd. Leroy Anderson is one of the best light classical composers. Some of his best music
is Sleigh Ride, and Fiddle Faddle. I am a 15 year old High School student in the San Francisco bay area and play french
horn in my school band. Although this site is very informative, I thought that this was
something that had to be said: I have played "Sleigh Ride" more times than I'd
care to remember in my short music career and over the years have developed a type of
unconditional hatred for the music that my director described as "schlocky."
It's great that Anderson did all that great stuff in his life, but you think he could have
written a better french horn part for one of the only secular songs schools can play for
any winter concert! Sorry for complaining. I had to vent. Sincerely, Jeremy Mary Washington College-Community Symphony Orchestra performed, tonight, the music
of Leroy Anderson. It was a marvelous concert. The Orchestra, Conductor, and special
guests were wonderful and so full of life, humor, fun, and the passionate love of music.
Brilliant performance! What better music than that of Anderson's to make such a splendid
evening. I enjoyed this site because, it provided a lot of information to help me get the
only A+ in my Music Theory class when I did a report on Leroy Anderson!!!!! Delighted to have seen the PBS special on Channel 2 here last week. I didn't
remember much of it the first time around so it was a pleasure to hear the best of this
great composer. I'm also happy to see that my original comments from '00 are still on this
page. Like a lot of people here, I first heard Anderson's music as a kid, probably on
period (early '60s) TV shows. I also attended Saturday Youth Concerts by the Boston
Symphony in the late '60s- I'm sure an Anderson number was on one of those programs. Last
week, I ventured (in the freezing rain) to Groton, MA, and the magnificent Shanklin
Wurlitzer organ. Sad to say, no Anderson pieces were played, but I'm positive something
like "Serenata" or "Forgotten Dreams" would sound tremendous on this
impressive instrument. As noted earlier, I heard several of his tunes two years ago on the
Kotzschmar Organ in Portland, ME. Of course, we hear the Phil Spector/ Ronettes
"Sleigh Ride" a lot at this time of year. Even Spector and his over-the-top
tricks can't kill the Anderson sound! Thanks again for keeping the memory of the greatest
American "light music" composer alive. I hope to find one of the CDs here-
either the Fiedler set or Anderson's own- during the holiday season.
To the Andersons: Just a note to mention that I watched WGBH's program regarding
Leroy Anderson last night. I was so impressed! I was born in 1946 so I remember many, many
of his compositions, but I did not really know they were all composed by the same
person...or who that person was. I was so young when I would hear the old radio playing
this music--it was one of those primary memories. My mother nearly 'wore out' the Blue
Tango record from playing it repeatedly! My brother and I found the record this summer.
Our mother is in a nursing home and continues her love of music. I am going to find a
Leroy Anderson tape or CD and play it for her. It is guaranteed that she and many of the
residents will perk up when they hear this music. We live in Massachusetts and are very
familiar with Cambridge and Boston. Our son recently graduated from New England
Conservatory in Jazz Studies. During the program, it was brought out that Mr. Anderson was
known to walk along listening/composing music that no one else could hear---I sure know
that trait!! I am so glad that I tuned into that program. He was wonderful! Shirley J.
Jones In the "50" I used to listen to the radio the big international orchestras
for many hours. For every piece was announced the title and the author, and I nothed those
I liked best: it seemed to me to take possession of them for ever. It has been, for me,
the way to know the great authors, especially of the wonderful american music. My kid's
fancy created, on those musics, images and sensations, but Your music, Mr. Anderson, was
already images, sensations and situations more bright, lively and pleasant of those my
fancy could give me. Today, Mr. Anderson, now that You are one thing with Your music, that
kid born in 1944 has come to meet You, and feeling Your guest gives him a great sincere
emotion. Alberto Francalanci - Florence - Italy In May, 1995, I purchased a video tape containing a 1968 episode of the television
series Captain Kangaroo. For seven years, I have been wondering the title of one of the
songs that was used as the background for one of the program segments. I discovered the
title a couple of days ago, when I heard the same song played on a 1966 episode of The
Jackie Gleason Show. The song is titled "The Phantom Regiment", and in my
opinion, deserves to be in a class with "Serenata", "Belle Of The
Ball", "Sandpaper Ballet", "Bugler's Holiday", "Trumpeter's
Lulluby", "Plink, Plank, Plunk" and other fantastic Leroy Anderson
creations. His music will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who appreciate the
genius (a word that is sadly mis-used) of such a talented person. Thank you, Mr. Anderson,
for giving us an amazing wealth of material from your career. The world's population is in
debt to you for your contribution to the world of fine music. I am one of the "community" members of the Mary Washington College
Community Orchestra and fall into the category of a "don't quit your day job"
musician. I have always enjoyed Leroy Anderson's music, and listening to or performing
"Trumpeter's Lullaby" and "Bugler's Holiday" are the only occasions
when I wish I played trumpet instead of French Horn! We are all looking forward to the
upcoming concert and consider it a privilege to pay tribute to a true icon of American
Music. We are especially honored to host Mr. Anderson's wife and son at the upcoming
event. Our Symphony (The Mary Washington College/Community Orchestra) is planning a tribute
concert this December to Mr. Anderson's works. I (along with everyone else) have always
enjoyed "Sleigh Ride" but am very excited to perform many of his other works.
Mr. Anderson certainly had a genius for melody and originality. I hope that there will be
many more tribute concerts to Mr. Anderson's works by other symphonies more prestigious
than ours. Jilleen Harter Principal violist (MWCCO) Our orchestra will present a Leroy Anderson Tribute concert at the campus of Mary
Washington College on Friday, December 6th at 8pm. Kurt and Eleanor will be in attendance,
and we will feature Dr. Mike Davison on trumpet, and a special arrangement of Sleigh Ride
with chorus. We are really looking forward to it! Contact: Dr. Kevin Bartram, 540-654-1956
for more information. Recently I heard a CD from Canadian Brass with a.o their masterful performance of
Bugler's Holiday. Searching the web I found the composer. I enjoyed the web-site and the
(regretfully small) parts of his work to be heard. Wonderful to be remembered of Leroy
Andersons compositions I heard as a child. Loved it very much.
Syncopated clock = finest piece of music I have ever heard. Great site! I remember when "The Syncopated Clock" was the theme music for
a TV show. I think it was the 11:00 movie. I often perform Sleigh Ride with my choruses
and play an excerpt of "The Typewriter" for my general music classes. The
students always enjoy it I enjoyed the website and thought it might be interesting to add to it some of the
composer's thoughts and reasons behind the songs he wrote. Leroy Anderson is an American treasure. My family and I enjoyed the PBS program
about him so much, and I recently purchased the video, "Once Upon a Sleigh Ride"
for myself, and one for my uncle who, before his retirement, was a band director for UCLA.
Mr. Anderson was a very talented man and his music has provided so much enjoyment for
countless people. It would be hard to name my favorite song. Certainly "Sleigh
Ride" and "The Syncopated Clock" would be at the top of my list. Also,
"The Belle of the Ball" is right up there with them. The website is wonderful. I
am a baby-boomer who grew up with the Beatles, but I love Mr. Anderson's music! Leroy Anderson was a master of creating joyous uplifting music. Each piece a new way
to celebrate life. This world could use more men like Mr. Anderson. Thoroughly enjoy Mr Anderson's compositions. I recall listening to The Irish
Washerwoman and other compositions as a youngster in the early 1950's -- a pleasant
feeling of nostalgia arrives when listening to his works. Special favorites: Syncopated
Clock, The Typewriter Song, and The Waltzing Cat... I am really impressed with the creativity of Leroy Anderson. Every melody is full of
color, it is fresh, it is romantic , it is fun,it is sunshine and it is life. It takes me
to some place, some times I dont know where but it is a positive feeling. With a simple
harmony he can say a lot.....simply incredible. Thanks for let us know the work of this
gran maestro. Of all the moments i had when I grew up on a farm that most stick in my mind, its
the sounds trickling under the door of my uncle in rapture every Christmas when he yanked
out his Leroy collection out and did a non stop disc by disc play of everything. Sleigh
Ride, Sycopated Clock, Waltzing Cat, the works, the music grew on me even though i'm not a
rabid classical fan like he is, enough so that i've ordered the PBS special......looks
like his stocking will be stuffed indeed. Good thing he doesn't have net access or his
eyes would bug out if he saw this. Sure to be a surprise :) Mr. Anderson's music has brought much joy to my life. As a child, listening to all
fo the happy tunes that were performed with such strength and feeling. As an adult,
listening and continuing to relive the memories of the freedom and carelessness of my
childhood. My heart tells me that Mr. Anderson surely had a kind, loving and gentle
spirit. That spirit was VIVIDLY dispayed in his musical compositions. What a wonderful
gift this man has given to the world. Clearly, there will NEVER be anyone who can equal
his accomplishments. Thank you for this opportunity to share my feelings for him and his
work with others. Thank you for this excellent website! Some of the most fun I had in high school and
college was playing Mr. Anderson's tunes in the band. His music is joyful, and fun. He
must have had quite a sense of humor. He certainly deserves a place alongside the likes of
Ellington, Gershwin,Bernstein,etc. Thank you very much for this site I am very fond of the work of Mr. Anderson and am
particularly pleased with his "Irish Suite". I also enjoy Scottish music and
would love to hear his "Scottish Suite" and indeed other neglected pieces. Do
you know of any organization that is planning to record any "missing links"?
Thank you MLS Je suis très heureux d'avoir trouvé ce site sur Leroy Anderson, car en France on
ne trouve pas de CD de cet artiste. Félicétations I looooooooooooove sleigh ride! It is my all time favorite song. I come to the home
page and just sit and listen to it for hours! Thanks! Whenever I hear "Blue Tango", I am instantly four years old again which
was my age in 1952 when it was a no. 1 hit! We have a radio station here that regularly
plays Leroy Anderson's music, especially on Sunday mornings. (KTOZ-AM, which is on
BBQRadio.com.) Not too long ago, they played him an entire half hour. I love it when the
string section gets a workout ("Fiddle Faddle") or when the music makes you want
to waltz around the room ("Belle of the Ball"). The Waltzing Cat, the Typewriter
song, Trumpter's Lullaby and Serenata all have a home here in the midwest. Your web site
has taught me some things: for example, Plink! Plank! Plunk! sure sounded familiar, and I
had not connected it with the 50's game show "I've got a Secret" until now.
Also, it sounds like 1951 was a incredibly creative year for him. This is a great site,
and Mr. Leroy Anderson was a great American composer. I am an eight grader, and my band teacher is featuring me in the Trumpeter's
Lullaby. Our band was selected to play in the Teachers Convention in Madison, WI. It is a
very fun song. The first classical composition I remember was Fiddle Faddle back in the early
1960's, 5th of 6th grade. I've loved classical music every since then. I have read here all these comments, full of love and admiration for Leroy
Anderson's music and I share fully their views. As a great admirer of Gerschwinn, Copland,
I. Berlin, C. Porter and, yes, the American-period Antonin Dvorak I have long thought that
the wonderful music of Mr Anderson's is in a league with the best of them. The only
particular thing I have to offer, besides sending my love to his memory through your fine
Webpage, is that I am not American as most of your guests: I am a Chilean citizen and this
is to let you know that in the tip of South America I had a "Leroy Anderson
childhood" too; songs as The Typewriter (my absolute favourite as a young boy), The
Sleigh Ride, Blue Tango (Tango Azul for me) and many others were quite as familiar for me
as they were for you in the U.S. Isn't it wonderful that, so far from the composer's own
country, there were young people like me that treasured his music? In my first visit to
the U.S., some years ago, one of my first purchases was a couple of Leroy Anderson's
records in a big NYC record store. He is not only a much loved American composer in his
own country. Like all great artists he is part of the whole world's very best things.
Thanks for your Page and greetings from Chile.
I am an unconditional admirer of Mr A nderson whose music is an absolute delight for
me.What is annoying here in Belgium is the fact that CDs with his music are hard to
find.In my opinion this exceptional composer is the equal of Gershwin , Kern, Berlin and
Porter .When you listen to his compositions you ,immediately recognize in him a great
musician of very refined taste.His orchestrations are so rich and so pleasant to the ear
.All his melodies are superb and will be played throughout the world for many years to
come, I am convinced .. What is beautiful is never forgotten . Leroy's music compositions speak volumes about his personality and his witty
character. My website is featuring the music of Leroy Anderson this month. These are
performances that identify our love of this American composer. Leroy Anderson is probably the most under-rated and under-appreciated composer of
the 20th Century. He was quite simply a genius and an American treasure whose name should
be in the same league with Gershwin and Berlin. Listening again to Leroy Anderson's tuneful & imaginative music is for me:
Childhood Revisited! It brings back my earliest childhood memories of my home in South
London listening to the BBC's 'Light Programme'in the late Fourties & early Fifties,
today I live in the county of Surrey, and I'm sure that whether you listen in Surrey or
Saratoga to his music it will still make one's imgination stir and marvel at his musical
gift - to us all. As the director of The Studio Orchestra since 1976 I have been using many of the
Leroy Anderson classics. These pieces are as big a hit today as they were when I started
the orchestra. HI Guys, Nice site Keep up the good work! Greetings to you and your guests. Love what you’ve done with your site. As an
educator I can say you have great communication skills. How would I describe Leroy Anderson's music? Pure Genius! As a
composer/conductor/teacher, I come across Leroy's music a lot, and it never fails to be a
huge success with audiences of any age. Long may Leroy's music live on. They really don't write music like Leroy Anderson's today! Witty, urbane,
technically accomplished and refreshing. My particular favourite is the sinuous
"Serenata", but almost any of his pieces lift my mood... Thanks for the informative site. I love Anderson's work, and found your site very
useful. I still cannot find anywhere online to order a conductor's score to SLEIGH RIDE
(for full orchestra). Know where? 'Christopher Wright, film composer I first heard Blue Tango in about 1951. I bought the LP and played and played it. I
still enjoy listening to it today. I always say the two greatest tangos ever written are
Blue Tango and Jealousy. What a wonderful tribute to a great American composer. I had the pleasure of seeing
Leroy Anderson conduct the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in a childrens concert at Southern
Connecticut State College in the early 1970's--I have been a fan ever since. I will never
forget the image of him conducting the orchestra in the "Typewriter Song" and
"Syncopated Clock." Later, while in my high school band, I had the opportunity
to play trumpet on several of Leroy Anderson's compositions, including "Bugler's
Holiday." You can imagine my surprise and delight when years later, I ended up
building a house not only in the same town, but also the same street that this composer
once lived! This is such a great honor. I will always be a great fan of his music and now
I am introducing my children to his music as well. Thank you for the great web site! THe memories of my childhood come flooding back as I hear the snippets of Leroy
Anderson's work. From the Typewriter to the Clock to Bugler's Holiday (my favorite). I
never realized the full extent of his music. I remember playing some of his tunes while in
the band from my junior high days thru college. Wonderful to hear them again -- I plan on
purchasing a CD so that I can share the music with my 3 year old daughter.
Thanks to the Family of Leroy Anderson for this web page. This is wonderful! In the
early 1960's on music night, where I attended school, I was in for the treat of my life
when I heard "Bugler's Holiday," for the first time. I was about twelve years
old, and that was the best thing that had ever happened in that school. There were three
boys who played it and they did good. IT was very inspiring, it was the type of thing that
would make students want to do even better with their lives. At that time I didn't know
that it was written by the same person who wrote "Sleigh Ride." And I came to
find out much later that Leroy Anderson had written many other wonderful songs that I also
loved. His music is wonderful and I am thankful that I have some of his music, I will play
it for my grandchildren, they both love music, at four years old and three months. But I
will never forget that wonderful night, at the school, where I heard "Bugler's
Holiday", for the first times, I will always remember it. Thanks for sharing the
music of Leroy Andreson with everyone, it remindes me of a time when life was really good. Great Site. I used to play Anderson's music in my high school band (about ten years
ago).Pieces such as Trumpeter's lullaby and Bugler's holiday are my favorite. Even here,
in Israel, Anderson is quite famous, and aqtually The Typewriter is being used as the
opening theme for The Voice of Israel's week news, every Saturday morning for at least
forty years. The Boston Pops programs should give more recognition and credit to Mr. Anderson. I love Leroy's music and this site is a real delight! Great job! I love Mr Anderson's music. It was such a joy to find this site. I am a 1950's fan
and still love the music. It will last forever
Hi there from Florida. Nicely done website. Best of luck How nice to have a website for this wonderful American composer. I grew up in the
fifties listening to his unique and memorable compositions. They could make me smile (The
Waltzing Cat, The Typewriter) or feel teary-eyed (Trumpeter's Lullaby, First Day of
Spring, Arietta). And everything in between was a joy to listen to. I hope he will be
remembered and appreciated for what he was - one of the greatest composers ever to enter
the popular American music scene great site, keep up the good work -- love your music I'm a long-time and devoted fan of Mr. Anderson's(Captain Anderson)music. It's wonderful to play the music by Leroy Anderson! My favourite piece is Sleigh
Ride. I bought the original orchestra scores and played the song on a Roland XP-80
keyboard. Of course, nothing is better than hearing the song played by a real orchestra!
Here's a link to my song http://www.geocities.com/rolkorg/mp3/Sleigh_Ride.mp3 Leroy Anderson's music is wonderful... I enjoy listening to Leroy Anderson while sleeping. If I cannot sleep I will play
Jazz Legato and then I fall asleep. Too bad the musicians today lack talent to be able to
perform good pieces of music. I first heared Buglers Holiday in my car on my way to college in Lincoln, Nebraska
in 1954. I immediately bought the music (the music store hadn't heard of it yet!), handed
out the other two parts to cornet/trumpet playing friends of mine in the band, and when
our band director heard us play it, he ordered the band accompaniment parts. Needless to
say, we played it at every concert for four years. The first Christmas, December, 1954, we
played it on a local TV station in Lincoln...the station gave our school some free time at
11 PM...after that performance, band directors from all over Nebraska called our band
director at Union College to find out about that great trumpet trio music. I still perform
it in my band on three double-bell euphoniums... Thank you, Mr. Anderson, for what you
have done for my life, and American music!! Bob Romans How nice to have a website for this wonderful American composer. I grew up in the
fifties listening to his unique and memorable compositions. They could make me smile (The
Waltzing Cat, The Typewriter) or feel teary-eyed (Trumpeter's Lullaby, First Day of
Spring, Arietta). And everything in between was a joy to listen to. I hope he will be
remembered and appreciated for what he was - one of the greatest composers ever to enter
the popular American music scene.
I would like to find out more about the Piano works of Leroy Anderson. I have copies
of the Concerto in C and 25 original piano pieces. I thought there was a Sonata? but I
have been unable to find it. I would be interested to know why he withdrew the concerto
from publishing, and information on what inpired these pieces. Thank-you As a senior Pearl Harbor Survivor, I treasure all the good things about our
country:- Norman Rockwell, Babe Ruth, Stephen Foster, Abraham Lincoln and others... But it
is Antonin Dvorak and LEROY ANDERSON that says it best! To me, Mr Anderson is Christmas,
prom night, Saturday morning, pumpkin pie and whipped cream - all wrapped up in a neat
package. He represents America's finest......and I consider it a privilege that I lived
during his life time. Hey guys you have a nice site! My site is for musicians seeking work and musicians
seeking musicians.If you can help support our site by clicking the banner ad at the top of
our homepage,we will support yours by adding your link. our site is tuneroom.com
As one in his early fifties, I have been in love with Leroy Anderson's music for a
lifetime. My earliest childhood memory (from age five or six) is "Bugler's
Holiday," which was used in the mid 1950's by a local TV station as an
opening/closing theme for its nightly weather program. I was instantly smitten. Over time
came "Syncopated Clocks", "Sleigh Rides," "Waltzing Cats,"
"Blue Tangos" a "Promenade," a little "Fiddle-Faddle," and
of course a "Trupeter's Lullaby," and many "Foregotten Dreams." Is it
possible to not like anything Anderson composed? I seriously doubt it! In college I had a
dorm-mate equally enthusiastic for Anderson's work, and before bed on many nights we
listened to Arthur Fielder's RCA recording of Anderson...always a treat. I purchased my
first CD player in March of '86, and by July the Erich Kunzel/Rochester Pops
"Syncopated Clock" CD was released and I was ecstatic. Well, I could go on and
on about this music (and in other places and times, I have), but I'll close by saying it's
great to have found this web site and I'd love to correspond with other Leroy Anderson
enthusiasts. Mike Pence I loved playing his music in HS (sleigh ride and that great trombone riff) and now I
just bought the St. Louis Leroy Anderson collection CD --remembering my Mom playing the
Blue Tango all the time when I was little--but my favorite is the romantic "Forgotten
Dreams", so beautiful! I just had a wonderful time enjoying this site. Thank you for keeping this important
music before us in concert and recordings. Linnie York, Brooklyn, NY I really liked your music. I want to join the New England Conservatory. Hi i am doing a project on Leroy Anderson and i was looking for some pictures of
him in school playing the piano but I didn't find and do you know where I coul d find some
I am doing a project on Mr. Anderson in music class and i just have to say he
composed wonderful music. I am glade i picked him to do my project on. From high school, where we sang a chorus arrangement of The Syncopated Clock, then
college, where I played trombone during Sleigh Ride, and conducted our small music
department orchestra in my favorite of his compositions Serenata, Leroy Anderson has been
a part of my life. Last night I had the pleasure of sitting with his wife at the
Torrington(CT) Civic Symphony Leroy Anderson Pops Night, where 10 of his compositions were
played, and where I had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Anderson, who had come with her
son, grandson,brother-in-law, and friends.
My beloved father took home movies from the time I was three years old....and he
always used Leroy Anderson music, especially the Penny Whistle Song, for the soundtrack.
Mr. Anderson's music is so very special to me, and now that I'm in my 50's and no longer
have my father, I feel his presence every time I hear Leory Anderon music. He was a true
genius who's music keeps me going when I sometimes think I cannot. please tell eleanor that i have learned to play the simplified piano version of
FORGOTTEN DREAMS. MANY THANKS FOR THE SHEET MUSIC Mr. Anderson was absolutely the best! It would be wonderful to know of one outlet
that could provide all of his music (on CD) that could be ordered by mail or internet. Is
there such a place? B. Cook I am very fond of the music of Leroy Anderson and, as a pianist, I play some of his
music. I wanted to let you and your other visitors know how much I have been enjoying the
new Naxos recording of Anderson's music. I am a Classical Music Specialist (store clerk)
in a record store and I have been playing it in the store a lot and have been selling it a
lot. Some people wonder about my playing "Sleigh Ride" after Christmas. I tell
them: "At least now I can listen to it without someone using it to try to sell me
something. I can enjoy the song for itself. And in some parts of the country (not usually
in Portland), sleigh rides are fun at other times of the year, not just at Christmas time.
Does anybody go on sleigh rides anymore, I mean, real sleigh rides, with horses and
sleighs? I think that Typewriter is one of the cleverest bits of music ever written. I am associated with The Cleveland Pops Orchestra (Carl Topilow, conductor). I am
very thrilled that we are doing a concert devoted to the music of Leroy Anderson. I can't
imagine life without Mr. Anderson's compositions. His music is the very definition of
"Pops:" the blending of classical orchestral music with the styles of jazz,
swing and musical theater. He is an American original, along side of Aaron Copland, Norman
Rockwell, John Philip Sousa. I feel the pulse of the nation in his rhythms, the colors and
textures of American life in his melodies and orchestral palette. There is no question
that, through a lifetime of hearing Leroy Anderson's works, he has been a major influence
on my musical orientation. What a great site and tribute! I had no idea that he studied doublebass..what a
wonderful tidbit that will impress colleagues! Thanks for the lovingly created site.
Leroy Anderson truly was a great American Treasure. One cannot help but humming and
whistling an Anderson tune after first hearing it. Composer, orchestra leader, American
soldier, and one who left a wonderful legacy of music to an adoring public. My favorite
song to hum is "Forgotten Dreams". Thanks for this great web site. I enjoyed it
very much. NJ Schroeder MD My first introduction to Leroy Anderson was the "Early Show" on WBBM-TV in
Chicago. They, as did the New York stations, used the "Syncopated Clock" as the
theme music. I was hooked on the sound. Then someone bought a "Best of..."
album. The music was and still is GREAT, and will continue to be loved forever.
"Sleigh Ride" is a wonderful song all year long. We don't have to wait for
Christmas. I wasn't familiar with Mr. Anderson's music until I did a search on Big Bands for
our radio station on www.live365.com, and d/l some titles from AudioGalaxy. Well! What a
wonderful surprise! A lover of Classical music, as well as Swing, and the Big Bands era, I
was delighted to find a mixture of the three in Mr. Anderson's compositions! I am sure my
listeners will be as enthused as I am to find one of the greats from the Boston Pops, no
less, on my new Playlist! What a treat this promises to be. Thank you so much! Sincerely,
Dianne A. Gregg May 18, 1972..I remember a handsome gentleman asking me if him and his wife could
sit at my reserved table for the Boston Pops evening..yes, of course, be my guests!..not
knowing that it WAS Mr Anderson ..only after he was introduced to the crowd as it was his
Birthday Bash..! What a memorable evening..I still love ALL of his compositions! It's like
entering a beautiful dream..forever!! Thank you for letting me share this with you... Listening to music on the radio in the early 1950's was a treat and where I first
became aware of Leroy Anderson. I was fortunate to see Goldilocks during its run in New
York and I love the score. I just wish more people were aware of the huge variety of his
music. I cherish the lp records of Anderson music that I have collected over the years.
Guess I will have to start getting some of the cds now. Thanks for a great web site. I'll
tell my music loving friends to visit too. I have been a Leroy Anderson fan since I first heard Waltzing Cat back in the 50's.
I often play his music on tape/record as it is not often played on radio in this country.
Sleighride is about the only piece played at Christmastime. It is a great pity not more
people appreciate his work. Many thanks I am thrilled to have finally found this site! I am an actor and have wanted to find
printed music from 'Goldilocks' - specifically I Never Know When and Shall I Take My
Heart... I am wondering if there is a printed version of The Beast In You?
I love your music. As a Advacned Clarinetist, I need a peice that has fun to it. Anderson's Clarinet
Candy does that. Anderson was a genious. His peices are a masterpeice. I am glad to have
learned of him. Clarinet Candy is the best darn peice I have played that had fun in a
concert. If you have the music to Clarinet Candy and want to send a copy for a price I
will pay, please emial me. All Clarinetists that have played this peice, also email me. I
want your reaction to this peice.
I love Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, Typewriter, and The Syncopated Clock!!!!!!!!!! I love Music of Leroy Anderson. I have CDs which are MCA Decca's 2CD "Leroy
Anderson Collection" performed by composer and RCA's CD "Sleigh Ride"
performed by Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra. These are very good music and
makes me very happy. I love Serenata, Clarinet Candy, Home Stretch, Belle of the
Ball,Penny-Whistle song ,etc. I know this web site just now. It is Nice. Thanks from
Japan. |