Archibald Joyce

b. 25 May 1873, London, England, d. 22 March 1963, England. Known variously as The English Waltz King or The English Waldteufel, Joyce is mainly remembered for one composition ‘Dreaming’ which is instantly recognisable around the world, even if not always by its name. Composing was almost secondary, because his main career centred on his ballroom orchestra which, from the 1900’s onwards, was greatly in demand at fashionable functions. Dis-satisfied with much of the music available for dancing, he decided to write his own, and ‘Dreaming’ firmly established his composing credentials. Other works included ‘Acushla’, ‘Bohemia’, ‘Love And Life In Holland’, ‘Passing Of Salome’, ‘Song Of The River’, ‘Sweet Williams’, ‘A Thousand Kisses’, ‘When The Birds Began To Sing’, ‘The Prince Of Wales Grand March’, ‘Songe D’Automne’, ‘A Thousand Kisses’, ‘Caravan Suite’, ‘Dreams Of You’ and ‘Brighton Hike’. Although he lived to a great age Joyce never shook off the influence of his early years. He disliked the musical scene as it developed from the 30s onwards, and rarely composed any new works.