Sir Arthur Bliss, 1966 (photo)

Sir Arthur Bliss (1891 – 1975) English composer and conductor. Regarded as unconventional and modernist in his youth but soon displayed a more traditional and romantic side in his music, being regarded, in later years, as somewhat old-fashioned. In the 1920s and 1930s he composed extensively not only for the concert hall but also for films and ballet. During the war he became its director of music at the BBC and was appointed Master of the Queen's Music in 1953. He received numerous awards including a knighthood in 1950 and was appointed CH in 1971.