Len Stevens (composer)

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Herbert Leonard Stevens (28 November 1910 – 13 May 1989) better known as Len Stevens, was a British composer, specializing in light music but producing works in many other categories. Among the best-known pieces he composed were News Scoop (used from 1958 until 1971 as the original theme tune to Grandstand on BBC television)Adrian Kerridge. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PKQSEAAAQBAJ&dq=Herbert+Leonard+Stevens&pg=PT209 Tape's Rolling Take One] (2016) and Easy Street, which appeared on the Chappell Recorded Music label.[https://archive.org/details/78_easy-street_the-melody-light-orchestra-len-stevens-ole-jensen_gbia7036072b Easy Street, The Melody Light Orchestra], conducted by Ole Jensen (aka Robert Farnon), C490B (1954/55) Stevens learned his trade in the pre-war British dance bands, and was employed as an orchestrator and theatre musician, while contributing original compositions to several recorded music libraries (including Chappell, Francis, Day and Hunter, Josef Weinberger and KPM).[https://www.robertfarnonsociety.org.uk/index.php/light-music-cds/up-to-december-2014 Biography, Robert Farnon Society]

The orchestral piece Avalanche (1948) is a musical interpretation of an avalanche from its dramatic beginning through a frantic centre piece to its quiet aftermath.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0GSPeBtjgI Avalanche]. New Century Orchestra/Len Stevens - Francis Day and Hunter Recorded Music Library, FDH 048 (1948) Other titles by Stevens include Caribbean Caprice, Clear Night, High Cloud, Holiday on Ice, La Madrilena, Lido Fashion Parade, Madame in Mayfair, Mountain Rally and Stampede.Scowcroft, Philip. [http://www.musicweb-international.com/garlands/21st.htm Twenty First Garland of British Light Music Composers] His music was often performed by Sidney Torch and his Orchestra.[https://www.guildmusic.com/shop/wbc.php?sid=4754295a00267&tpl=produktdetail.html&pid=11509&rid=578&tpl=artistdetails.html 'Len Stevens', at Guild Music]