Gather Ye Rosebuds, a Part Song for Four Voices

Leonard Salzedo (1921 - 2000) was born in London of Spanish/Jewish descent. He studied at the Royal College of Music, London, with Isolde Menges for violin and Dr Herbert Howells for composition. While still a student he won the Cobbett Prize for his First String Quartet and was commissioned to write his first ballet The Fugitive. After leaving college he played in the London Philharmonic Orchestra and then with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1964 he joined the London Soloists Ensemble for whom he wrote Concerto Fervido. In 1967 he gave up playing the violin to become Musical Director of Ballet Rambert (now Rambert Dance Company). From 1972 until 1974 he was principal conductor with the Scottish Ballet, and from 1982 until 1986 he was Music Director of London City Ballet. After 1986 he devoted himself full-time to composition, and wrote prolifically until 1997. He died in 2000