Ivor Ernst Slaney (born 27 May 1921 in West Bromwich, d. 20 March 1998, Southampton) was a British composer and conductor, notable for his work in film, television and radio.[1]
Slaney's father Ernst Wallace Slaney was the principal 'cellist in the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra in the 1920s and 1930s under Sir Dan Godfrey. His mother was Grace Elizabeth Arney (b 22 April 1893, died July 1988). She married Ernst in Bristol in 1920. As a youngster Ivor joined the choir of St Stephen's Church, Bournemouth where he was also taught by Percy Whitlock, the church's Director of Music and a colleague of Ernst Slaney at the Bournemouth Pavilion. According to Whitlock's diary, Ivor was known as 'Tiny'.
In later life Ivor Slaney lived in Milford on Sea, Hampshire. Ivor Slaney's son, Adrian E Slaney, was born in 1950. A daughter was born in 1979.
Composition and arrangements
Slaney was the uncredited arranger for many recordings by the 101 Strings in the early 1960s, and was a prolific contributor to the recorded music libraries, particularly DeWolfe.[2] His best-known works include Top Dog, which was used as the theme music for the BBC radio comedy series The Men from the Ministry and Carlos' Theme (from The Sentimental Agent) for which he won an Ivor Novello award.[3] But there are also numerous short orchestral light music pieces, such as the suite Three Village Greens, the Sighing Waltz and Window Gazing.[4]