Born in Hulme Manchester, Brian Marks has spent a lifetime composing and performing music. In the early days he played at many prestigious venues around the UK, sharing the stage with top British and international names. Latterly he has turned to composing and recording classical music, mostly based upon historical features within the County of Cheshire where he now lives.

He has travelled extensively throughout Europe gaining knowledge of traditional styles of music ranging from Romanian Gypsy music, Portuguese Fado, French musette to traditional Turkish music in lstanbul which he has subsequently utilised in some of his compositions.

ln 1980 Brian put family before being a pro-musician believing that the two don't mix. He became a gardener at Lyme Park Cheshire, a spectacular country estate. This was the beginning of an incredible creative journey. In 1984 Brian was approached by estate manager Peter Donnelly regarding the possibility of organising a musical event for Lyme Parks Summer Festival the following year. Mr Donnelly was aware of Brians' previous career as a musician, playing flute and singing in a variety of rock and jazz groups and was eager to know what ideas he might come up with for the festival but he could never have envisaged the outcome of the challenge he had presented, for Brian was so inspired by his surroundings that he decided to produce a classical suite of music based on the history and natural history of the estate during the residency of the Legh family who lived there from 1346 to 1946. This was a new musical direction for Brian, so he presented his melodies to classical pianist Mavis de Mierre and together they composed a beautifully emotive work titled "The Lyme Legacy" scored for quintet.

In August the following year, the work was premiered at Lyme Hall before a capacity audience that included members of the Legh family. The music was later described as being "A work of great depth and subtlety."

BBC broadcaster Bob Symes introduced the evening, reading a historical narrative written by Whitbread prize winning journalist Lisa Birtwistle. His rich and well modulated voice brought to life six centuries of Lymes' occupation by the Leghs, describing the changes within the family, the hall and estate. Photographer Eric Stanway created a pictorial backdrop in the form of a slide dissolve show featuring scenes of the estate and interior of the hall. Forsyth's of Deansgate kindly loaned a grand piano to Mavis for the concert.

Brian Marks with musicians and Bob Symes on stage prior to performance at Lyme Hall.	The evening was such a resounding success that Brian decided to record an album of the musical work which he titled "The Lyme Legacy." TV and radio interviews followed and the press were hot on Brians' heels. "A gardener inspired to compose a classical work of music was news indeed...." Brian then wrote a book titled "A Gardeners Apothecary" an invaluable history and reference guide to the medicinal plants and trees found growing wild at Lyme. He wrote a daily journal "General notes and observations" containing over three quarters of a million words depicting life on the estate and his previous life growing up in Burnage. Brian also found time to write a book of poetry "Where Lightning Dances Vaudeville".
A view of human nature and the natural world feature strongly in this book which together with previous works has undoubtedly established him alongside a wealth of unique North West talent. This literary contribution will appeal to a wide audience. Brian's collection of atmospheric poems with their whimsical and deeply emotive expression will no doubt add to his continuing success as a prominent creative force. Paul Mlynarz Manchesterbeat.com     Extracts from 'Where Lightning Dances Vaudeville' Copyright: Brian Marks 2002. Revised edition 2011 - NOW AVAILABLE. Click here to read and purchase ...