Biography

He was fond of collecting antique clocks and old books. He was also a keen golfer,.

British composer, orchestrator, pianist and harpist, trained at the Birmingham School of Music. He was Music Director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, afterwards working for the BBC (including as leader of the BBC Salon Orchestra) during the 1930's and 40's. He composed incidental film music and also led a harp septet and the Leslie Bridgewater Quintet (in which he played piano). His 'serious' compositions include a String Quartet and a Piano Concerto, premiered on the radio in February 1947.

Much Quintet repertoire was arranged by him from 18th Century music, most of it then rarely heard: Arne, Mozart's opera singing friend Michael Kelly, Domenico Scarlatti, Robert Jones, Veracini and Henry Eccles.

After the Second War Bridgewater penned incidental scores for a number of films, including "Against the Wind" (1947) and, based on a railway disaster, "Train of Events" (1949).

His most important compositions were a String Quartet and a Piano Concerto premiered on the radio in February 1947 and recorded by Paxton on 78s.