"A Londoner in New York" by Jim Parker

Perhaps Jim Parker's most popular concert item, is the 1987 suite for brass ensemble entitled "A Londoner in New York" whose movements are Echoes of Harlem, Chrysler Building, Grand Central, Central Park and Radio City.

It was recorded by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble on their CD - "Lollipops" - available on the right.

It is a brilliantly written evocation of many aspects of life in the big city, making ingenious use of the many tone colours that a brass ensemble is capable of. A mixture of toe tapping tunes, and atmospheric writing makes this a perennial favourite with Surrey Brass audiences.

Note by the Composer

"A Londoner in New York" was commissioned by Philip Jones for his Brass Ensemble, and was written in 1983. It was first performed by the P.J.B.E. on January 29th, 1984 at the Hexagon Theatre, Reading.

I had for some time been considering how to express in music the impressions made on me by New York. My general feeling was that here was a city which prided itself on being modem and progressive but which, nevertheless, retained a delightful old-fashioned quality. The suite is intended to reflect these impressions.

1. Echoes of Harlem

As the title implies, this is a piece about Harlem as it was in the heyday of Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and other jazzmen. The style of playing should be relaxed but rhythmic.

2. The Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building is one of the world's most elegant skyscrapers and until the completion of the Empire State Building it was the tallest in the world. The playing of the piece should be symphonic in style and should reflect the grandeur and decorative brilliance of this superb monument to Art Deco Architecture.

3. Grand Central

Although this movement is named after the station which features in many black and white films, the music is that of a steam locomotive. Once the piece is under way it should have a momentum which keeps its impetus regardless of dynamics, and it should at all times be as rhythmic as possible.

4. Central Park

A languid waltz reflecting the rural atmosphere to be found in much of the park. The trumpet solos at letters Band D, however, should have a bright and optimistic quality .

5. Radio City

The main auditorium of Radio City Music Hall is huge and the entertainment provided is lavish and varied. A show there would probably include routines by the Rockette dancing girls, two organists moving and playing in unison and a large orchestra changing position on stage during numbers. There might also be fill-ins and ballets. The mood should be vivacious, dynamic and extrovert. The can-can at bar 108 should be as fast as is comfortable and the maestoso at bar 162 which depicts the girls performing high kicks should be loud and rhythmic. Although there were no horses on stage during the performance which I attended, it would not have surprised me if there had been, so I have put them in the score, regardless, at bars 59 and 76.

If desired these pieces may be played in the original order, which is: Grand Central; Echoes of Harlem; The Chrysler Building; Central Park; Radio City.

Click image to buy the Sheet Music for this piece

SHEET MUSIC

Edited by Philip Jones & Elgar Howarth, the Just Brass series is regarded by brass players worldwide as the most important brass ensemble series available. There are more than 100 titles subdivided into Just Brass (mainstream), Junior Just Brass, Just Brass Lollipops and Giant Just Brass. Supplied as score and parts together. Junior titles have been specifically chosen and edited for young players. The pieces are scored for four or five players and in some there are optional percussion parts. A large number of alternate parts are given, allowing for maximum flexibility in instruments required.

Musicroom.com carry the majority of the Just Brass range, which is published by

Chester Music

About the Composer

Jim Parker was born in Hartlepool in 1934. He started his musical career in an army band, and subsequently studied the oboe with Edward Selwyn at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. In 1959 he became an oboist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and later joined the Barrow Poets in the same capacity.

He is now a full-time composer and has recorded his own music with Sir John Betjeman, Keith Michell, the Barrow Poets and many others. Works for the Stage include Follow the Star (with Wally K. Daly), Captain Beaky (with Jeremy Lloyd) and Mayhew's London (with Cicely Herbert).

He has written a great deal of television music including "Ground Force" - Music from the TV programme (played by the Black Dyke Band), "THE HOUSE OF ELIOTT", "TOM JONES" - winning the1997 BAFTA award for Best Television Music", "MOLL FLANDERS" (1996 BAFTA), "A RATHER ENGLISH MARRIAGE" - winning the 1998 BAFTA award for Best Television Music", "Mapp and Lucia", "Credo" and "Six English Towns". He has won several other BAFTA awards over the years.

Concert work includes commissions for the Nash, Hilliard and Philip Jones Ensembles and for music Festivals. He has written a Clarinet Concerto and much music for the education sector including several musicals written for or at any rate suitable for children: Blast-off, Mr Jones Goes to Jupiter, described as 'a space musical for middle schools', All Aboard: A Musical Voyage with Captain Cook, the Christmas musical, Follow the Star and The Shepherd King, a musical in eight scenes.

Review by John Williams

Jim Parker's delightful music for the John Nettles detective series is one of its most positive assets. The series is good anyway and not the typical cut-and-thrust serial murderer type so beloved of British television producers at the moment. The music has that distinctively English feel, with the novel addition of a theremin to give that suspense and mystery touch. With no less than twenty-six cues, ranging from rural, to classical, to choral, there is a bit of everything. Midsommer Murders is proof positive that Jim Parker is writing some of the best music for television at the moment.

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