Ronald, (Sir) Landon

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Ronald, (Sir) Landon [ Russell, Landon Ronald] (b London, 1873; d London, 1938). Eng. conductor, composer, pianist, and administrator. Son of Henry Russell. CG coach under Mancinelli 1891, becoming cond. of Augustus Harris's touring opera co. Toured USA as Melba's accompanist, 1894. CG début as cond. 1896 (Faust). Cond. mus. comedy in London 1898–1902. Guest cond. LSO 1904–7 and later of Berlin PO and other leading orchs. Permanent cond. Royal Albert Hall Orch. 1909–14, Scottish Orch. 1916–20. Prin., GSMD 1910–38. Wrote mus. criticism. Friend and interpreter of Elgar, who ded. Falstaff to him. Wrote operetta and orch. mus. but remembered chiefly through his song Down in the Forest, one of nearly 200. Knighted 1922.

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