Leroy Anderson

In 2010, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) declared Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" to be the most-aired of all the Christmas songs for the last decade. The critic Steve Metcalf has written that "Sleigh Ride" has been recorded by the widest aesthetic of performers than any piece of western music. And in 1992, Eric Kunzel, conductor of the Cincinnati Pops, wrote, "Leroy Anderson's music has thrilled millions of Americans and indeed the entire international music world for over 60 years." What gives his music such universal appeal?

Covering the whole of his unique works, this bio-bibliography is an unparalleled resource on the life and music of Leroy Anderson—composer of over 40 popular orchestral miniatures.

In his compositions, Leroy Anderson defied the nature of typical orchestral music.

Covering the whole of his unique works, this bio-bibliography is an unparalleled resource on the life and music of Leroy Anderson—composer of over 40 popular orchestral miniatures.

In his compositions, Leroy Anderson defied the nature of typical orchestral music. His artful combination of a light, pop sound and masterful orchestration into short musical pieces has captivated audiences for years. Young and old, non-musicians and musicians alike have gravitated toward his sound. However, because of the unique nature of his work, Anderson is often overlooked in the study of American music. For the first time, an entire volume has been dedicated to the life and works of Leroy Anderson. This bio-bibliography provides a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in Anderson's unique brand of American orchestral music.

A short biography introduces the reader to background information on the composer himself and on his more famous pieces. This is followed by a complete, categorized listing of Anderson's works, a discography, a bibliography of articles written by and about Anderson, and a list of arrangements of his work by Anderson and others. Ten separate appendices at the end of the work ensure ease of navigation and cross-referencing for the reader.