Nigel Hess

East Coast Pictures

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!