Obscure Music Monday: Scott's Impressions from the Jungle Book

Cyril Meir Scott (Sept. 27, 1879 – 31 December 31, 1970) was an English composer, author, and occultist. In addition to composing music for many genres, he also wrote many books on the occult, and natural/alternative heath.

Born in Oxton, Cheshire, Scott's musical talent was apparent at a young age. His parents were supportive of his endeavors, and sent him to the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, Germany.

One of Scott's many works for the piano is the evocative Impressions from the Jungle Book, a five-movement piece after the book by Rudyard Kipling. Scott's writing does a brilliant job of creating atmosphere and setting the mood for each of the five movements: The Jungle, Dawn, Rikki Tikki Tavi and the Snake, Morning Song in the Jungle, and Dance of the Elephants. It doesn't take long for Scott to create the mood either; immediately in the first movement, there's a sense of mysterious adventure lying ahead with a pulsing line in the left hand, and some wonderful lines in the right hand that have hints of Impressionism throughout. Scott's sense of rhythm and phrasing is wonderful, and he isn't afraid to mix up time signatures. He wasn't afraid of interesting and colorful harmonies either, and you'll hear lots of whole tone lines in this fantastic work that deserves to be programmed more often!

Here's a recording of this delightful work for you to enjoy!*

Leslie De'Ath

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