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Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Percy Faith Plays Romantic Music

Invitation

Percy Faith Plays Romantic Music
Columbia CL 526
1953

Photo credit for third cover variation: Dirone Photography

From the back cover: Born April 7, 1908, Toronto, Canada. The oldest of eight children, Percy Faith began studying the violin at the age of seven. Shortly thereafter an aunt gave him a fine piano, with which he immediately became fascinated. By the time he was ten, he had progressed to the point where he was able to present a double recital, playing alternate solos on the violin and the piano. However, his real love was the piano, and he concentrated on that instrument. During his high school years, he found after-hours employment in a Toronto movie house, playing music to accompany silent films. Here he learned how to improvise and to ad-lib, to fit the mood of various scenes and to stretch-out the music when his cue-sheets proved faulty.

Upon graduation from high school, he joined an orchestra which played in and around Toronto. Suddenly, an offer came from Jack Arthur, a symphonic orchestra conductor known as the "Paul Whiteman of Canada." Impressed with Percy's ability, Arthur lent him to a small band in the area, intending to place him in his own group after Percy found work on several radio programs, and continued to study for concert work under such teachers as Frank Wellman of the Toronto Conservatory, and Louis Waizman. It was Waizman who recognized the young musician's talent for interpretative arranging, and convinced him that he should follow that technique.

By 1931, Faith was conducting his own orchestra – a small string group – on the air. He progressed through larger groups and in 1934 the Canadian Broadcasting System hired him as staff arranger and conductor. He was given a program called "Gaiety in Romance" that at once landed a sponsor, and continued with "Streamline" and "Music by Faith." Early in 1940 he was offered the conductor's post with the "Carnation Hour" in the United States, which he conducted until 1947, until he starred on "The Pause That Refreshes". Shortly thereafter, he joined Columbia Records as a member of the Artists and Repertoire staff, and as a recording artist in his own right. Since that time he has been one of the leaders in the return of the instrumental number to favor.


While We're Young
I'll Take Romance
Invitation
The Girl That I Marry
Valse Huguette
If I Loved You
Carousel Waltz
Easy To Love
One Night Of Love
When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love
Caress
Beautiful Love

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