Although neither of my parents was particularly musical, I developed at an early age a love of music which led to many interesting encounters.
My parents did have a small collection of 78 rpm records of such well known singers as Caruso, Tita Ruffo and Amelita Galli-Curci, though these meant little to me at the time.
In addition to a table model HMV gramophone, we had a crystal wireless set complete with ‘cat’s whisker’. The gramophone remained with us through many moves, until we were bombed out in London during the war. How many of today’s sonic marvels will last as long?
In 1934, we acquired a second-hand Philips radio which was my pride and joy, even if it meant switching on at least ten minutes before each programme to allow the set time to warm up. Every lunch-hour, I would hurry home from school to listen to the regular lunch-time broadcasts by a theatre or cinema orchestra. Many people will recall such names as Charles Shadwell, William Pethers, Harry Davidson and Joseph Muscant.
There were also afternoon broadcasts, one of my favourites being Jan Berenska from the Pump Room, Leamington Spa. I also remember Herman Darewski from Bridlington, whose signature tune was Happy Days Are Here Again.
Then there were the comedy shows such as Band Wagon and, during the war, Itma and late-night broadcasts by the bands of Ambrose, Harry Roy, Roy Fox, Lew Stone and many others.
As well as being an avid radio listener, I became a regular visitor to Finsbury Park
and Wood Green Empires and, occasionally, Golders Green Hippodrome, where I saw most of the stars of the day, including Gracie Fields, Will Fyfe, the great Robb Wilton and the incomparable Max Wall. During the war, thanks to old theatrical connections of my father, we spent many an evening at Collins Music Hall where the acts varied from first class to abysmal.
On leaving school, I began work in an estate agent, but had no intention of pursuing a business career. While working for a firm in North London, two of my colleagues unwittingly held keys to my future although I had no inkling at the time.
One was a great fan of the music of Frederick Delius but I had no idea then I would one day work for the composer’s finest exponent. The other colleague was the nephew of Richard Tauber’s long-time accompanist, Percy Kahn and within a few years I would get to know Tauber himself.
Having had enough of business, at the age of 21, I applied for a job with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and was engaged as Assistant Concert Director. One of my jobs for a time was to accompany the pianist Eileen Joyce when she gave recitals in various towns, acting as manager/companion.
During this time I was also able to meet many now famous names, including the young Benjamin Britten, Michael (now Sir) Tippett and the composer Malcolm Arnold, then Principal Trumpet in the LPO. It was then also I was able to meet Tauber, who as well as being one of the world’s finest tenors, was a conductor of no mean repute.
In 1946, I was engaged by Sir Thomas Beecham as Orchestral Manager for his newly formed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, later becoming his personal secretary/major domo and part-time valet.
As well as these musical activi ties, I also had spells in theatre management at the Opera House (now Everyman Theatre), Cheltenham
and at the Victoria Palace during one of the last shows of the Crazy Gang.
I cherish these and other memories and now enjoy a large record collection which includes classical, jazz, dance bands, street organs, military bands and music from around the world.
Denham Ford
