London Symphony Orchestra the composer conducted, the rest of the programme was conducted by Coates, who overran his rehearsal time at the expense of Elgar's. Lady Elgar wrote, "that brutal selfish ill-mannered bounder ... that brute Coates went on rehearsing." In "The Observer" Newman wrote, "There have been rumours about during the week of inadequate rehearsal. Whatever the explanation, the sad fact remains that never, in all probability, has so great an orchestra made so lamentable an exhibition of itself." Coates remained as chief conductor for two seasons, and after the initial debacle is credited by Morrison with "breathing life and energy into
Peter Ash (composer) Peter Ash (composer) Peter Ash (born 1961, DeWitt, Iowa ) is a composer and conductor, best known for his opera "The Golden Ticket" (based on the Roald Dahl book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" ) and for his work with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, of which he has been Artistic Director since 2001. A graduate of Guildhall School of Music, Ash has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera (where he conducted the world premiere of the Tobias Picker opera "The Fantastic Mr. Fox"), Lisbon Opera, English Bach Festival and many other ensembles,