Nigel Hess

Shelter Island is a small island situated near the end of Long Island a few hours drive east of New York. In the summer it becomes a crowded tourist trap but in the winter it is gloriously deserted and bravely faces the onslaught of the turbulent Atlantic shrouded in sea mists and driving rain. This brass band transcription by Phillip Littlemore is of the first movement of East Coast Pictures originally written for wind band and was commissioned in 1985 by the British Youth Wind Orchestra with funds from National Westminster Bank plc. These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits by the composer to a small part of the USA’sEast Coast an area that provides great extremes in the geography and the people.

The TV Detectives brings together five of Nigel Hess’s best-known television themes all originally written for small-screen sleuths in whodunnits that have been enjoyed by TV audiences worldwide. The themes stand alone as imaginitive and challenging pieces that will stretch wind ensembles and delight audiences. This is a continuous suite arranged for wind band.

East Coast Pictures originally written for wind band have now been transcribed by Phillip Littlemore introducing these exciting programmatic pieces to a wider audience. These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits by the composer to a small part of the USA’s East Coast an area that provides great extremes in the geography and the people. Shelter Island is a small island situated almost at the end of Long Island a few hours’ drive east of New York. In the summer it becomes a crowded tourist trap but in the winter it is gloriously deserted and bravely faces the onslaught of the turbulent Atlantic shrouded in sea mists anddriving rain. In upstate New York lie the Catskill Mountains an extraordinary combination of tranquillity and power peace and majesty. Once seen they call you back again and again. New York ...or to be precise Manhattan. For anyone who is familiar with this bizarre and wonderful city this ‘picture’ needs no explanation. For those not yet hooked here is a foretaste of things to come.

The TV Detectives brings together five of Nigel Hess’s best-known television themes all originally written for small-screen sleuths in whodunnits that have been enjoyed by TV audiences worldwide. The themes standalone as imaginitive and challenging pieces that will stretch wind ensembles and delight audiences. This is a continuous suite arranged for wind band.

In upstate New York lie the Catskill Mountains - an extraordinary combination of tranquillity and power peace and majesty. Once seen they call you back again and again. This brass band transcription has been made by Phillip Littlemore and explores the sonorous and warm sounds of the brass band. The Catskills is the second movement of East Coast Pictures originally written for wind band and was commissioned in 1985 by the British Youth Wind Orchestra with funds from National Westminster Bank plc. These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits by the composer to a small part of the USA’s East Coast an area that provides great extremesin the geography and the people.

New London Pictures represents elements of London in the 21st Century. The Millennium Bridge describes the pedestrian’s journey across this wonderful new landmark bridge over the Thames starting at the imposing Tate Modern crossing the busy river and onwards to St. Paul’s Cathedral with its bells ringing out over the great city. London Eye is an incredibly large ferris wheel situated on the South Bank of the River Thames. This movement depicts a ‘flight’ on this riverside wheel at the top of which the panoramic view of London is breath-taking and the expanse of the music is a suitable depiction ofthe view. As with all modern cities London is over-crowded with motor vehicles. London is the first major city in Europe to adopt a Congestion Charge and this piece (with its stop and go traffic lights) is both racy and comical. Here are Londoners attempting to go about their business in the face of overwhelming odds.....Brass Band Grades 4/5: Premier Youth and 2nd Section Duration: 15 minutes

This is the third movement of Nigel Hess’s New London Pictures As with all modern cities London is over-crowded with motor vehicles. London was the first major city in Europe to adopt a Congestion Charge and this lighthearted work includes musical images of frustrated rush hour traffic leading to a freer flowing galop. Brass Band Grade 5: 1st Section Duration: 7 minutes.

Nigel Hess’ vivacious and colourful A Christmas Overture originally commissioned as an orchestral work by John Rutter for his 2007 Christmas Festival proved an instant success with audience and orchestra alike. Traditional carols skilfully juxtaposed and interwoven provide the thematic material. These include: Ding Dong! Merrily On High; Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant; Infant Holy Infant Lowly; Personent Hodie; We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Angels From The Realms Of Glory which brings the overture to a majestic close. Fragments of other carols appear along the way to enrich the texture of what is surely one of the mostattractive pieces written for the festive season. Brass Band Grade 4/5. Duration: 7 minutes 30 seconds