Albert William Ketèlbey was born on 9 August 1875 in Birmingham, England. He was a renowned composer, conductor, and pianist, famous for his light orchestral music. Ketèlbey studied at Trinity College of Music in London, where he excelled, but instead of following a traditional classical path, he became the musical director of the Vaudeville Theatre. He found great success writing music for silent films and smaller orchestras, gaining fame with his popular compositions.

One of his most famous works, “In a Monastery Garden”, was published in 1915 and sold over a million copies. Ketèlbey’s other well-known pieces include “In a Persian Market” and “In a Chinese Temple Garden”. His music often depicted exotic scenes and British life, capturing the public’s imagination. Although his popularity declined after the Second World War, Ketèlbey’s music has been rediscovered and celebrated, with many of his pieces still performed today.