East Coast Pictures was commissioned by the British Youth Wind Orchestra with funds from the National Westminster Bank plc. These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits to a small part of the American East Coast, an area that provides great extremes in the geography and the people.
Movement 1: 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 ‘picture’ is a fond memory of a winter weekend on Shelter Island.
Movement 2: In upstate New York lie The Catskills - a mountain range with an extraordinary combination of tranquillity and power, peace and majesty. Once seen, they call you back again and again.
Movement 3: New York - or to be more precise, Manhattan. For anyone who is familiar with this bizarre and wonderful city, here is a ‘picture’ that needs no explanation. For those not yet hooked this is a foretaste of things to come!
Originally written for wind band, East Coast Pictures has now been transcribed by Phillip Littlemore, introducing these exciting programmatic pieces to a wider audience.
This work has been recorded on a CD entitled 'East Coast Pictures' by The Leyland Band, conducted by Michael Fowles, and is available from Faber Music (catalogue number: 0571-52109-8).
Publisher: Faber Music
ISBN: 0571564259
Item Code: 0571564259
Series: Faber Brass Band Series