Perhaps the name of Jim Parker is not well known – but his music is loved worldwide. Composer of numerous film and theatre scores, he is best known for his television musicwhich includes Foyle’s War, House of Cards, Midsomer Murders and House of Elliott among many more. He haswon the BritishAcademyAward for BestTV Music on no less than four occasions.

This brilliant album collects a number of Parker’s recent compositions which are not directlyfor TV but still have a marvelous pictorial quality and display his remarkable talent for memorable melodies and coloration, whether it be the recorder acting like a Peruvian pipe, or violins emulating the Hurdy-Gurdy.

Light music albums of this quality are very rare these days and this is a joyful gem. It will be promoted to Radio 2 as well as R3 and Classic FMand regional radio stations. The first three suites are scored for String Quartet (some with recorder, harp and bass); Hoofers (named for stage dancers) is a suite for oboe and piano of individual pieces: The Flying Scotsman, The LonelyBallerina, Banjolele, and Hoofers.