David Branson was born in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, on 13th July 1909 and died in Hastings on 18th April 1997.

At the Royal College of Music (1927-31) he studied the piano with Harold Samuel and composition with John Ireland. He then embarked on a career as a pianist, having made his London debut at the age of 11, and in 1921 played before the Japanese Emperor, Hirohito, then Crown Prince, and his Princess, when they made a State visit to the UK.  Of Spanish ancestry, Branson was among the first pianists to introduce the music of Mompou to the UK via concerts and radio broadcasts.

His writings include John Field and Chopin (London and New York, 1972), and among his pictorial works are the covers for his published compositions, most of them songs and piano pieces. He exhibited work at the Royal Academy, Royal Watercolour Society, other London galleries and provincially.  As a pianist he made recordings for Columbia and RCA and among his students are the composer and pianist Morgan Hayes. Dancing Bear was praised by the Bradford Telegraph and Argus for it's 'wry smile of pathos'. His songs were performed by Owen Brannigan, Margaret Ritchie, Wilfred Brown and other singers. Compositions published by OUP, Novellos, Augner before assigning the majority to himself in the 1950s and 60s.

His archive is housed at the Royal College of Music, London.

 Reviews of compositions and piano performances

"This piece (The Flung Spray) has a core of vitality which should not be overlooked"  Music and Letters                          

"One of the most attractive solos I have come across lately" Musical Opinion

 " One should not be mislead by the title of this composition (Spanish Jazz): it is no mere statement of mock-Spanish tunes with an American accent. Mr. Branson has given us a pleasant piece which is undoubtedly the best of its kind since Arthur Benjamin's Jamaican Rumba appeared some years ago."  Music and Letters

"Scharwenka Concerto in Bflat minor...played in a gay and elegant manner by Mr. Branson" The Times

" A very capable and tasteful player" Eric Blom

"Scharwenka Concerto in B flat minor....played in a gay and elegant manner by Mr. Branson" Times

"Mr. David Branson.....included works by Haydn, Chopin, Bax, Granados and himself....proving himself by his accomplished style and brilliant execution a finished artist" Nottingham Post

[adapted from the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians ed.1980, and the composer's own publicity material]