A pupil of Humperdinck and others in Frankfurt and a contemporary there of Grainger, Quilter and Balfour Gardiner, Cyril Scott embarked on a career as a composer and pianist in England in the early years of the 20th century. His later esoteric interests, on which he wrote, were reflected in his music, which is now unduly neglected.

Orchestral Music
Scott’s orchestral music enjoyed performances and a certain esteem particularly in the inter-war years. He wrote several concertos (including his effective Piano Concerto No. 2 in 1958) and three symphonies in addition to a number of less substantial works.

Instrumental Music
While some of Scott’s chamber music retains a very occasional place in current repertoire, his piano pieces have a more loyal and nostalgic following, reflecting their former wide popularity. Lotus Land, also transcribed for violin and piano by Fritz Kreisler, is a good example.