Quirky Quavers - Paperback

by Alan and Dennis Poole (Illustrator), William Brown (Author)

William Brown spent his working life playing the violin in orchestras throughout UK. During this time he got to know, extremely well, all the orchestral instruments, and the composers of the music they played. When he retired he brought his sense of humour into 'play' and wrote a series of witty verse about both instruments and composers. This book contains some of them. From the sultry bass flute to the seductive clarinet and the dazzling E flat clarinet, to the vulnerable keyboard we move on to the composers. How did Alkan meet his end when reaching for a copy of the Talmud? Who knows who composed 'Singing in the Rain'? Where did Jerome Kern get his name from? All these questions and many more are answered by William Brown in Quirky Quavers. His affection for the orchestra and the masters who composed music for it, shines through this book of verse.

Author Biography

William Brown was born in Glasgow in 1932. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and was appointed a member of the Scottish National Orchestra where he played for seven years. He became the Principal 2nd violin of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Seven years later he became a member of the London Symphony Orchestra where he remained for 27 years. Over the years he has been Involved in numerous recordings and film scores. William began writing on his retirement. His output so far consists of two novels, one musical and numerous humorous poems and sketches, some of which are included in this collection.