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Billy Joseph Mayerl (May 31, 1902- March 25, 1959), was a pianist and composer who built a career in music hall and musical theatre and became an acknowledged master of light music. He wrote over 300 piano pieces, many of which were named after flowers, including his best known composition, Marigold (1927). One of his pieces is currently in the grade 8 syllabus: Autumn Crocus (1932).

He also composed works for piano and orchestra, often in suites with evocative names such as the 'Aquarium Suite' (1937), comprised of "Willow Moss", "Moorish Iodl", "Fantail", and "Whirligig".

Works for the musical theatre include Sporting Love opening at the Gaiety Theatre, London in 1934.

Early life

Mayerl was born into a musical family on London's Tottenham Court Road, near the West End theatre district. He began piano lessons at an early age and by the age of 7 he was studying at the Trinity College of Music. In his teens, he supplemented these lessons by accompanying silent movies (even, according to one source, selling ice cream during intermissions) and playing at dances.

Mayerl died in 1959 from a heart attack.

External links

• Noted ragtime historian "Perfessor" Bill Edward's biography of Mayerl, with a comprehensive list of compositions

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