By the Shrine of the Sun (An Eastern Invocation)

Percy Elliott (31 December 1870 — 1932) was a composer who wrote light music under the pseudonyms Godfrey Newark and Walter Bush; composed songs and, especially, light orchestral pieces much in demand for the "silent" cinema".

I'm afraid that's all the information I have about the composer! Also, I could find no photos of him. I suppose he certainly qualifies for another of my "Forgotten Figures" of music.

I downloaded this solo piano work yesterday, looking for something for the "Summertime Dream Series". I went through it once and rejected it, but didn't throw it away.

Today the temperature here in Jersey City, New Jersey reached 96 F, and tomorrow should hit 100 F. :-( Air conditioner or not, it's HOT!

While I have a number of larger pieces on the music rack, I just couldn't get to them, so, I took another look at this, and am glad I did.

The work was published by Bosworth & Co. Ltd in 1925. The full title and "inscription" read: "By the Shrine of the Sun (An Eastern Invocation). In the district of Marttand (Kashmir) there stands on a high plateau overlooking the Valley of the Dal the ancient ruin of the Temple of the Sun."

I did find some pictures of the temple (I THINK!), and it is indeed ancient, dating back to around 200 B.C.

The title of the music would imply something, "eastern sounding" or perhaps "pentatonic," but in reality, the charming music is much more English Edwardian than it is Eastern!

Still, there are little quaint touches like the opening "bell passage," which occurs three times. The music itself, is quite a grand "little" English march. If you pick up the tempo a bit, it almost sounds like the middle section of an Elgar Military March!

I often speak of my obsessive piston pushing, and this one is no exception! As nearly as I can count, I think there are 26 (or 27) in this one, which is a LOT for 4 pages of music!

The score and photos are attached.

I wish you peace and coolness in the heat of summer! :-)