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
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. The piece Spectre was used as the signature tune to the 1940s weekly BBC Radio series The Armchair Detective with Ernest Dudley.
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
His son Harry Engleman (1912–2002) was a pianist, bandleader and composer whose syncopated piano style was greatly influenced by Billy Mayerl. From the age of 14 Harry played piano in his father's orchestra, and at various Birmingham cinemas. He was pianist with the Aston Hippodrome Orchestra and at other theatres, and from 1931 was a frequent broadcaster with his own Quintet and other groups.
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.Philip Scowcroft. Paul Guinery has recorded several of his pieces.
Works
Joseph Engleman's works include:
Orchestral suites
Ballet Suite: Le Miroir du Mademoiselle (fp. 1928)Eastbourne Gazette, 24 October 1928, p. 9 Children's PlaytimeRecorded on Childhood Memories, Guild GLCD5125 (2006) '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 BookRecorded on Childhood Memories: Vol. 2, Guild GLCD 5144 (2008) '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
References
External links Slippery Eel, International Radio Orchestra, Bosworth BC 1127 (1940) 'Hide and Seek', from Children's Playtime, West End Celebrity Orchestra