"Forgotten Dreams" was originally written by Leroy Anderson in 1954 for piano and string orchestra.
// "Forgotten Dreams" is a little piece that I thought of first as a piano solo, and then I thought that perhaps I might make a little series of pieces for beginning pianists. But as I started to play over this thing, it seemed to me that it had more scope to the melody than something that would be just a little, simple piano piece. In other words, it needed a fuller treatment and it needed an orchestral background. So I expanded it and developed it into what became "Forgotten Dreams".
- Leroy Anderson
// Because it was used as a radio theme on the B.B.C. Network, "Forgotten Dreams" is better known in England than in the United States. "Forgotten Dreams" is a nostalgic piece whose title leaves the listener free to summon up his own recollections from the past.
- Leroy Anderson
The Mitchell Parish lyrics to "Forgotten Dreams" do not suit the music. This Leroy Anderson composition is best performed as an instrumental work.
- The Leroy Anderson family.
Significant recordings
1. Decca Records recording session, Manhattan Center, New York, NY; Leroy Anderson, conductor; June 2, 1954.
Leroy Anderson conducted a studio orchestra in his 1954 Monaural recording of "Forgotten Dreams" for Decca Records. 51 musicians, many of whom were the Principals of their respective orchestra sections, came to perform for the recording. They were chosen from the New York Philharmonic, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the NBC Symphony, the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Goldman Band and the Beaux Arts Trio. Leroy Anderson played the piano in this recording of "Forgotten Dreams".
The studio orchestra included 9 First Violins, 7 Second Violins, 5 Violas, 4 Celli, 3 Basses, 1 Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 2 Drums, 1 Piano, 1 Harp.
2. Decca Records recording session, Manhattan Center, New York, NY; Leroy Anderson, conductor; May 26, 1959.
Leroy Anderson conducted a studio orchestra in his 1959 Stereo recording of "Forgotten Dreams" for Decca Records. In this recording, Leroy Anderson played the piano in "Forgotten Dreams".
Forgotten Dreams
Music by Leroy Anderson
Arranged by Leroy Anderson for Piano
Printed Music included in "Leroy Anderson at the Piano" available from Alfred Music.
Printed Music
Numerous arrangements are available from Alfred Music.
Leroy Anderson explains how he wrote "Forgotten Dreams" in this rare, archival video from WCBS-TV-2 in New York City. Susan Anthony-Klein also performs "Forgotten Dreams" in this video on Leroy Anderson's Steinway grand piano at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut.
Copyrights to the music of Leroy Anderson
are held by Woodbury Music Company LLC.
For information concerning the use
of Leroy Anderson's music,
contact the Leroy Anderson family at:
info[at]woodburymusic[dot]com.
Back to Music of Leroy Anderson
