John W Bratton (1867–1947) came from Wilmington, Delaware, and had experience as a baritone soloist, actor and theatre manager as well as as a composer of theatre music and novelty pieces. His most successful compositions were
In a Cosey Corner (1901) and, above all, the novelty piece
The Teddy Bears’ Picnic (1907). This latter enjoys the curiosity of being an American instrumental composition but a British song, having had words added for London dance-bands during the 1930s. Here we hear it in the splendid original orchestration, with its remarkable bear growls and delightful string touches, by Frank Saddler (died 1921) who also orchestrated many of Jerome Kern’s early shows.
from notes by Andrew Lamb © 1998
