Sir Dan Godfrey
Sir Dan Godfrey (1868-1939) was part of a musical family, of which he is the best remembered. In 1893 he took up an invitation which his father could not fulfil – to form a Municipal Military Band in Bournemouth. This soon became the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra, now known as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
He established the first permament fully-salaried municipal orchestra in the UK, with each player under contract, ensuring far more stability than was usually the case. In 1923 Godfrey started recording for Columbia, firstly with the London Symphony Orchestra in an abridged version of Vaughan Williams "London" Symphony, then a complete version of the same.
From mid-1927, Godfrey brought the BMO back into the studios for a series of delightful recordings. These included many lighter works which showcase the talents of his orchestra both as players and composers.
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