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Harry Parr Davies (arr. Tony Lowry): Where the Blue Begins

480 views · Published 1 October 2016 · 4:24 · Indexed 28 October 2026

Channel: PSearPianist · 2016 · Music

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Phillip Sear plays a 1941 piano transcription by Tony Lowry of a song from a 1940 wartime show 'Top of the World' by the Welsh composer Harry Parr Davies (1914–55).
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Harry Parr Davies was a musical prodigy, who found early support from Walford Davies, and became the favoured accompanist and songwriter to Gracie Fields while still a teenager.  He wrote a string of musicals and revues in the war years and afterwards—but seems virtually forgotten today.  You can read more about his fascinating life and untimely death here: http://bit.ly/2czTlqx .  

Tony Lowry worked for some years as arranger for the British bandleader Henry Hall. He achieved some fame in the 1940s and '50s as half of the piano duo “Lowry and Richardson—Four Hands in Harmony” (Clive Richardson is perhaps best remembered as the composer of the 'London Fantasia').

This transcription comes from a collection of piano transcriptions from popular songs by Noel Coward, Vivian Ellis, and Davies, all done by Lowry, and mostly in 'rhythmic' style.    I can't verify this, but a viewer believes that Tony Lowry was actually Alexander Ludwig Lowy, born 5 March 1888, Wimbledon, and died 29 Feb 1976, Paddington.

Thumbnail image (based on a photo of Parr Davies, but without the specs and Brylcreem!) created with Wombo Dream ( t.ly/zhJa ).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk (Email:  [email protected]  
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