Phillip Dyson has a considerable
reputation not only as an exponent of
British music but of Billy Mayerl’s
(‘Mr Marigold’) unique blend of jazz
and light music. Dyson has also built
up a considerable international following
and, for example, he is often invited
to the Scott Joplin International Ragtime
Festival in the USA. Recently he was
the first British pianist to appear
at the West Coast Ragtime Festival in
Sacramento. Mayerl’s music has, of course,
much in common with Scott Joplin’s work.
The music on this double
CD was recorded live at London’s Purcell
Room (the odd cough notwithstanding)
during Billy Mayerl’s centenary year.
Quoting Dyson’s tribute
to Billy Mayerl, "He was a seminal
figure in British music between classical
music and jazz. His influences stem
from American Ragtime and Stride through
the English Pastoral to French Impressionism.
And as a performer, he was the popular
pianist’s god. Head and shoulders above
anyone else."
His favourite composers
were Grieg and Delius (interesting as
both composers are often linked together)
and he was also influenced by John Ireland,
Bax, Debussy and Ravel. As a composer
he produced over 300 piano pieces and
more than a 100 song arrangements. He
was also a prolific composer for the
theatre. He produced over 20 shows many
of which he either appeared in or was
musical director. He also composed orchestral
pieces like Pastoral Sketches
and Sennen Cove and wrote works
for piano and orchestra. Ray Noble orchestrated
his Four Aces Suite providing
a service akin to that of Ferde Grofé
for George Gershwin (Rhapsody in
Blue)
Dyson’s recital includes
a varied selection of Mayerl’s most
popular pieces. There is the ever-popular
Marigold with its delightfully
skittish syncopations, inspired by a
bowl of flowers and so reminiscent of
the era between the wars. One can imagine
Mayerl wowing habitués of London’s
fashionable Savoy Hotel Lounge. In the
same mood there is that other well-known
Mayerl confection, Bats in the Belfry.
Then there is the lovely, limpid
pastorale, Shallow Waters and
the dreamy, romantic Autumn Crocus
- both gently nostalgic. Ending the
recital, from his Four Aces Suite
there is yet another Mayerl favourite,
the suave and sophisticated Ace of
Hearts. CD1 also has his deeper,
more astringent Ace of Spades
with its shades of oriental intrigue.
Other delicacies include Mayerl’s jazzy
arrangements of Kern (beautifully melancholic
and as full of regret as ‘Smoke gets
in your eyes’) and Percy French (lively
and full of fun).
In between all the
Mayerl pieces are the Gershwin songs,
breezy arrangements, plus a lively rendition
for solo piano of Gershwin’s Rhapsody
in Blue. There are also other little
delights such as Zez Confrey’s delightful
and popular Mayerl-sound-alike Kitten
on the Keys and another favourite
- Felix Arndt’s Nola.
A feast for Billy Mayerl
fans with titbits from Gershwin and
other popular favourites thrown in.
Ian Lace
see also
International
Concert Pianist: PHILLIP DYSON Celebrates
the Centenary of BILLY MAYERL 1902-1959
Phillip Dyson (piano) 
