COMPOSER MINI-BIOGRAPHY SERIES

No. 2 - IVOR SLANEY

Ivor Slaney

(27 May 1921 - 20th March 1998)

Born Ivor Ernst Slaney in West Bromwich, United Kingdom in 1921. Ivor was a prolific musical composer and conductor, notably for his work in film, television and radio.

Ivor was educated at the Royal College of Music, and married Mary D Ludlow pianist, Dolores Ventura in 1948. His father, Ernst Wallace Slaney, was a principal cellist in the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra in the 1920's and 1930's under Sir Dan Godfrey.

As a youngster Ivor joined the choir of St. Stephen's church, Bournemouth where he was also taught by Percy Whitlock, the church's Director of Music and a colleague of Ernst Slaney at the Bournemouth Pavilion. According to Whitlock's diary, Ivor was known as 'Tiny'.

Ivor's mother was Grace Elizabeth Arney (22nd April 1893 - July 1988). She married Ernst in Bristol in 1920. in 1935, aged just 14, Ivor entered the Kneller Hall, the British Army's School of Music.

Ivor Slaney's son, Adrian S. Slaney was born in 1950.

In later life Ivor Slaney lived in Milford on Sea, Hampshire.

Ivor's best known works include ''Top Dog'', which was used as the theme music for the BBC radio comedy series The Men from the Ministry; and Carlo's Theme (From The Sentimental Agent) for which he won an Ivor Novello award. 

Ivor Slaney also composed hundreds of Mood Music piece, fanfares and stings. Many examples are available on the De Wolfe site. 

He also wrote the music for several Hammer Films, including 36 Hours (1953) The Gambler and the Lady (1953) and The House Across The Lake (1954) as well as the scores to The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977), Prey (1977), Terror (1978), and Death Ship (1980). And many more as scene on his iMDB Page.

Ivor was composer and musical director for the 1970-71 British children's TV Series Here Come the Double Deckers.