PAXTON MUSIC LIBRARY '78s'

Paxton is yet another British library (I hope to receive some foreign library stuff at some point), formed by W. Paxton & Co. But unlike it's counterparts, this company did not set out at first to be in the same genre. 

Paxton, formed in the 1870's and operated from 95 New Oxford Street, London, and published mainly songs and piano music. During the heyday of the piano, from 1890 to 1940 output was extremely vigorous, with many reprints of favourites such as Engelmann's 'Melodie D'amour' and Czibulka's 'Stepanie Gavotte'.

Publications of the 1920's included piano works by Harry Farjeon, Joeph Holbrooke, John Foulds, Frederick Cutchee, Edwin Cundell and Cyril Jenkins; Violin works by Louis Godowsky, Henry Tolhurst, Wilhelm Sachse, Alex Rowley and Leslie Woodgate. Short pieces for piano trio by Reissiger, Raff, Bennett and others, and organ pieces by Hugh Blair, H.T. Smart, and Edwin Lamare. A few longer works appeared, such as Foulds 'World Requiem' and Fajeon's 'String Quarted No 4', both in 1923. One successful marketing idea was to issue cheap collections named Star Folios (songs, piano (at least seven) and piano and violin), or Climax Music Albums.

It was not until (circa) 1950 that Paxton re-branded, And with a new location '36-38 Dean Street London' when they started to delve into the world of, what is now known as Library Music. Bringing in a source of new composers, under the conducting banner of:

Dolf Van Der Linden and his Metropole Orchestra.
And
Walter Collins and his London Promenade Orchestra.

The matrix numbers (knowingly) started at 400, with the prefix PR (PR. 400) and finished at around (knowingly) PR. 765. With some amazingly talented composers including:

King Palmer (1913-1999)

Robert Busby (1901-1952)

Peter Dennis [Dennis Berry] (1921-1994)

Frederick Charrosin (1910-1976)

Temple Abady (1903-1970)

Herman Finck (1872-1939)

Lewis Anthony (1915-1983)

Cyril Jenkins (1889-1978)

Edward Carmer
George French (1921-????)

John Foulds (1880-1939)
Adalgiso Ferraris (1890-1968)
Mischa Michaeloff

Dolf Van Der Linden (1915-1999)

etc.

THE MUSIC:

PR. 401 - Tinkerbell/With Pomp and Pride
1. Tinkerbell (King Palmer) 2:41
2. With Pomp and Pride (King Palmer) 2:32
Conducted by Walter Collins conducting the London Promenade Orchestra

PR. 405 - Rose of Spain/Pasobolero
1. Rose of Spring (Adalgiso Ferraris) 2:54
2. Pasobolero (Mischa Michaeloff) 2:24
Conducted by Walter Collins conducting the London Promenade Orchestra

PR. 406 - Le Caberet/Scaramouche/Let's Play
1. Le Caberet (John Foulds) 2:43
2. Scaramouche (Frederick Charrosin) 1:04
3. Let's Play (E. Leggett) 1:24
Conducted by Walter Collins conducting the London Promenade Orchestra

PR. 427 - Dramatic Prelude/Anguish/Penguin Parade/Fleurette
1. Dramatic Prelude (Cyril Jenkins) 1:24
2. Anguish (Edward Carmer) 1:33
3. Penguin Parade (Herman Finck) 1:30
4. Fleurette (Lewis Anthony) 1:22
Conducted by Walter Collins conducting the London Promenade Orchestra

PR. 456 - Stampede/The Squall/Twilight Reverie/Contemplation
1. Stampede (Frederick Charrosin) 1:49
2. The Squall (Frederick Charrosin) 1:05
3. Twilight Reverie (Temple Adaby) 1:47
4. Contemplation (Temple Adaby) 1:05
Conducted by Walter Collins conducting the London Promenade Orchestra

PR. 527 - April Kiss/Romance in the Evening
1. April Kiss (Peter Dennis) 3:11
2. Romance in the Evening (Dolf Van Der Linden) 3:01
Conducted by Dolf Van Der Linden conducting the Metropole Orchestra

PR. 541 - Busy Wheels/Foundry Activity
1. Busy Wheels (King Palmer) 2:31
2. Foundry Activity (Frederick Charrosin) 2:46
Conducted by Dolf Van Der Linden conducting the Metropole Orchestra

PR. 542 - Holiday In Hollywood/Eldorado
1. Holiday in Hollywood (Peter Dennis) 2:53
2. Eldorado (Dolf Van Der Linden) 3:05
Conducted by Dolf Van Der Linden conducting the Metropole Orchestra

PR. 544 - Kaleidoscope/Folies Espagnoles
1. Kaleidoscope (Dolf Van Der Linden) 3:05
2. Folies Espagnales (Robert Busby) 3:09
Conducted by Dolf Van Der Linden conducting the Metropole Orchestra

PR. 585 - Parade of the Champions/Sports Parade
1. Parade of the Champions (George French) 2:59
2. Sports Parade (King Palmer) 2:11
Conducted by Dolf Van Der Linden conducting the Metropole Orchestra

(More info and releases to come)