Nigel Hess: East Coast Pictures (Score & parts)

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 Mountains—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!