Christmas Suite "Il Riposo"

Philip Frederick Wright James (May 17, 1890 – November 1, 1975) was an American composer, conductor and music educator.

James was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. At an early age he began piano, violin and theory lessons, and served as choirboy in several New Jersey churches. From 1904 to 1909 he studied organ with J. Warren Andrews and in 1907 began advanced harmony and counterpoint lessons with Homer Norris. He also studied composition with, as well as organ with Joseph Bonnet and Alexandre Guilmant in Paris.

In World War I James played in and subsequently became bandleader of the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band.

In 1922 he co-founded and became the first conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and in 1923, began a long teaching career at New York University, serving as head of the music department from 1934-1956.

Though he remained active as a composer until his death in 1975, James' larger-scale compositions were infrequently played after the mid-twentieth century. However several of his early sacred compositions, including "Meditation a Ste. Clotilde" for organ and the anthem "By the Waters of Babylon" remain in the sacred repertoire.

"Christmas Suite" was published by The H. W. Gray co. in 1952. It is highly unusual in terms of what we think of as "Christmas-like."

There are three movements: "March of the Magi" (after Jan van Eyck - Munich Galleries), "Chorale" (Church of St. Apollinare - Novo, Ravena, Italy 534 AD), and "Finale" (after the Van Dyck Riposo in the collection of Lord Ashburton).

The pieces were inspired by famous works of art - painting, mosaics, churches, and the music is the composer's depiction of the style and spirit of the art mentioned. Somewhat more extensive notes are given in the First Comment.

The score is attache below, as well as a number of photos of Philip James, in various stages of his life. I also attached some of the art that is mentioned, although finding exact matches was difficult at best.