FLAC tracks +Booklet | Classical | 77:20 | 1CD | 356 MbBorn in Ontario in August 1919, Tommy Reilly studied violin from the age of eight, and began playing harmonica at the age of eleven.

Though he had played in England in 1935 – 37 and continental Europe in 1937 – 39, it was not until his arrest (while studying violin at the Leipzig Conservatory) and subsequent internment 1939 – 45 in prisoner-of-war camps that he developed his virtuosity on the harmonica, basing his ideas of phrasing and interpretation on the playing of Jascha Heifetz.

Returning to London in 1945, Reilly began parallel careers as a concert soloist and recitalist, a popular BBC radio and television performer, and a studio musician-composer.

He performed with most of the major European orchestras and toured all over the world as a concert soloist.

Inspiring the composition of more than thirty works by other composers, Reilly also transcribed a great deal of repertoire for the instrument, in addition to composing his own works.

In 1967 he designed a concert harmonica, later manufactured by Hohner and marketed as the Silver Concerto Chromonica.

In 1992, he became the first harmonica player to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

His other awards included the Gold Medal of the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband, and a Golden Badge from the British Association of Composers, Authors and Songwriters.

Sir Neville Marriner and Igor Stravinsky were among those who admired his playing.

Tracklist:01. Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20 (Arr. T. Reilly for Harmonica & Orchestra) [Live]02. Keyboard Sonata in G Minor, Kk. 450, L. 338 (Arr. J. Moody for Harmonica & Piano)03. Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: VII. Gigue (Transcr. T. Reilly for Harmonica)04. Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3: No. 5, Sérénade (Arr. for Harmonica & Piano)05. Age of Innocence06. Italian Dance (Arr. for Harmonica & Piano)07. 5 Spanish Dances, Op. 12: No. 2, Moderato (Arr. for Harmonica & Piano)08. Voice from the Past09. Firebrand10. Deep Purple (Arr. T. Reilly & F. Still for Harmonica & Piano)11. Dance of the Comedians (Arr. T. Reilly for Harmonica & Orchestra) [Live]12. Marriage of Figaro Overture (Arr. T. Reilly for Harmonica & Orchestra) [Live]13. Midnight in Mayfair (Arr. for Harmonica & Piano)14. El Cumbanchero (Arr. T. Reilly for Harmonica & Piano Quartet)15. Jealousy (Arr. T. Reilly for Harmonica & Piano Quartet)16. Dinah (Arr. T. Reilly for Harmonica & Rhythm Section)17. Bop! Goes the Weasel (Arr. G. Martin for Harmonica & Rhythm Section)18. Firefly (Live)19. Begin the Beguine (Arr. T. Reilly & N. Warren for Harmonica & Orchestra) [Live]20. Gin Ginger21. No Limit22. Bulgarian Wedding Dance23. Hora Staccato24. 18th Century Rock (Arr. T. Reilly & J. Moody for Harmonica & Piano Quartet)25. Irish Medley (Arr. J. Moody for Harmonica & Piano Quartet)26. The Breeze and I (Arr. T. Reilly for Harmonica & Piano Quartet)27. Le grisbi28. The Red Flame29. Waltz in D-Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1 :Minute Waltz: (Arr. for Harmonica & Piano)30. Golden Girl