Leonard Salzedo Society presents concert celebrating composer's centenary

Next week a concert at Conway Hall will celebrate the musical legacy of composer Leonard Salzedo. The concert, organized by the Leonard Salzedo Society founded by the composer’s daughter, will feature a programme of Salzedo’s works played by his friends and colleagues.

The Fine Arts Brass Ensemble will open the concert with Salzedo’s Divertimento for Three Trumpets and Three Trombones which was the theme for the Open University’s educational programmes on BBC television and radio. Violist and Trinity Laban professor Richard Crabtree will perform the Viola Concerto which Salzedo wrote for him, accompanied by students from Trinity Laban, and led by painist and conductor Leslie Howard, who was a close friend of the composer.

Howard said: ‘This is a composer with enormous skill. The nuts and bolts of how to put pieces together he had down to a fine art and the logic of his musical structures is always very clear, clear to a listener as well as to somebody who scrutinises the score.’

Born in London in September 1921, Salzedo drew on his experience as an orchestral player and conductor as well as his Spanish/ Jewish ancestry to produce works including ballets written for Ballet Rambert, of which he was music director from 1966 – 72. Extracts of Salzedo’s first ballet The Fugitive will be performed in Saturday’s concert alongside songs including the Song Cycle Lotus Eater Abroad which will be performed by baritone Geoff Williams.

Leonard Salzedo accepting the Tagore Gold Medal from Princess Elizabeth at RCM 22 July 1943 (Image courtesy of Caroline Salzedo)

Salzedo studied composition and violin at the Royal College of Music in London before pursuing a career as a freelance composer while playing violin with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic. Roles taken by Salezedo throughout his career also include principal conductor with the Scottish Ballet and musical director of the City Ballet of London.

The Leonard Salzedo Celebration Concert will take place at 6pm at Conway Hall, London, WC1R 4RL on 24 September 2022. Tickets and more information can be found here.