Joseph Engleman

Joseph Engleman (1881–1949), born Josef, was an English light music composer and viola player, active in Birmingham, England.

His son Harry was also a professional musician, initially in his father's orchestra.

Career

"Potted Overtures—A Humorous Medley of Passages from favourite Overtures by Joseph Engleman", sheet music. Artwork signed "Roland" alt=A cartoon of musical notes, with faces, climbing a ladder to jump into an ornate ceramic pot. Overlaid with the title, and "Bosworth & Co Ltd., London W.1."

He was born in Birmingham, the son of the trombonist at the old Grand Theatre, Birmingham, and was largely self-taught. Engleman played viola in the City of Birmingham Orchestra, and played in cinemas as an accompanist for silent films.

As a composer he produced many light orchestral suites, and a ballet conducted by Adrian Boult in 1928.

He also wrote library music, sometimes using the name John Harbury, and helped to found Bosworth’s mood music library in 1937. His film scores include Olympia St. Moritz (1948) and Kuckelikaka (1949). His entry in Who's Who in Music also lists a Symphony in E.

Engleman married Gertrude Owen, and there were two children, a son and a daughter. They lived at 43 Harbury Road, Cannon Hill, Birmingham.

Harry Engleman composed mostly songs and syncopated piano solos such as Cannon off the Cushion (1936), Chase the Ace (1936), Finger Prints (1936, a piece popularised by Billy Mayerl and the American Zez Confrey), Golden Chain, Snakes and Ladders, Skittles, and Summer Rain. Paul Guinery has recorded several of his pieces.

Works

Joseph Engleman's works include:

Orchestral suites

Ballet Suite: Le Miroir du Mademoiselle (fp. 1928) Children's Playtime 'Hide and Seek' 'Pick a Bag' 'Marbles' 'Ring O'Roses' A Cocktail Cabinet 'Maiden's Blush' 'Orange Blossom' 'Manhattan' A Doll's House Four Olde English Inns In a Toyshop Potted Overtures, medley Suite Rustique Tales From a Fairy Book 'Babes in the Wood' 'Rumpelstiltskin' 'Cinderella' 'Ali Baba' Three American Sketches A Voyage to Lilliput

Other

Air Raid Havoc (as John Harbury) Bass Business, intermezzo for double bass or bassoon or baritone saxophone with orchestra Blarney Stone, march Cat and Mouse, piano and orchestra Conspiracy, orchestra Elsa, waltz Fiddler's Folly, violin and orchestra Incognita Pizzicato Caprice Riviera Express Slippery Eel (aka Strutting About) The Spectre Tanks in Action (as John Harbury) 20 Fanfares, collection Yankee Doodle, galop The Wedding of Punch and Judy