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Divine Art

Thomas Pitfield - His Friends & Contemporaries

$25.99

Details

Composer
Christopher Cotton, Gordon Crosse, Anthony Gilbert, John Joubert, Nicholas Marshall, Ernst Hermann M
Artist
Richard Simpson, Benedict Holland, Heather Wallington, Jennifer Langridge, John Turner, Lesley-Jane
Format
CD
Label
Divine Art
Released
Jul 12, 2024
Catalog #
DDX21246
UPC
809730124624

About

Thomas Pitfield: His Friends & Contemporaries pays homage to the multifaceted talent of Thomas Baron Pitfield (1903-1999). Pitfield was not just a composer; he embodied the essence of a Renaissance man, excelling in various fields including teaching, visual arts, poetry, writing, furniture making, and ornithology. Despite his immense talents, Pitfield remained modest and unassuming, dedicating himself to nurturing the gifts of his students at the Royal Manchester College of Music, where he taught composition from 1947 onwards. This album sheds light on Pitfield's contributions to the classical music landscape, showcasing his compositions alongside those of his contemporaries including John Joubert, E. J. Moeran, Ernst Hermann Meyer, John McCabe, and many more. While Pitfield's name may not be as widely recognized as some of his peers from the "Manchester School," such as Richard Hall, his music exudes charm, wit, and inventiveness that captivate listeners. In an era marked by the emergence of modernist compositions, Pitfield chose to traverse the middle ground, creating music that resonates with it's timeless appeal. Throughout his tenure as a composition teacher, Pitfield played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of notable composers like John McCabe, David Ellis, and John Golland, the latter of whom also shared a close personal friendship with Pitfield. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the achievements of his contemporaries, Pitfield's legacy lives on through a revival of interest in his music. The album offers a glimpse into Pitfield's musical world, featuring a selection of chamber and instrumental works that highlight his artistic vision and craftsmanship. Pitfield's compositions are filled with elegance, lyricism, and emotional depth. His music not only showcases his technical skill but also reflects his genuine love for the art form and his dedication to inspiring future generations of musicians. Moreover, the album serves as a tribute to Pitfield's enduring influence on his peers and students. His selfless encouragement and mentorship left an indelible mark on those he taught, fostering a sense of camaraderie among composers and musicians. Pitfield's generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence resonate throughout the album, underscoring his legacy as both an artist and an educator. This double album celebrates the life and work of a remarkable individual whose contributions to the world of classical music extend far beyond his compositions. Through this album, listeners will rediscover the brilliance of Thomas Baron Pitfield and the rich music woven by his friends and contemporaries.

Tracklist 29 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 I. Toccatina 02:22
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Toccatina
    Duration
    02:22
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    Richard Simpson, Benedict Holland, Heather Wallington, Jennifer Langridge
  3. 2 II. Pastorale 04:34
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Pastorale
    Duration
    04:34
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    Richard Simpson, Benedict Holland, Heather Wallington, Jennifer Langridge
  4. 3 III. Intermezzo 06:30
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Intermezzo
    Duration
    06:30
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    Richard Simpson, Benedict Holland, Heather Wallington, Jennifer Langridge
  5. 4 IV. Finale 04:41
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale
    Duration
    04:41
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    Richard Simpson, Benedict Holland, Heather Wallington, Jennifer Langridge
  6. 5 Remember, Op. 184 07:50
    Track
    5
    Title
    Remember, Op. 184
    Duration
    07:50
    Composer
    John Joubert
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  7. 6 Fantasy Quartet 14:19
    Track
    6
    Title
    Fantasy Quartet
    Duration
    14:19
    Composer
    Ernest John Moeran
    Performer
    Richard Simpson, Benedict Holland, Heather Wallington, Jennifer Langridge
  8. 7 Now, Voyager 12:48
    Track
    7
    Title
    Now, Voyager
    Duration
    12:48
    Composer
    Ernst Hermann Meyer
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  9. 8 No. 1. Quodlibet 01:55
    Track
    8
    Title
    No. 1. Quodlibet
    Duration
    01:55
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  10. 9 No. 2. Meditation on Tom Bowling 02:23
    Track
    9
    Title
    No. 2. Meditation on Tom Bowling
    Duration
    02:23
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  11. 10 No. 3. The Keel Reel 01:44
    Track
    10
    Title
    No. 3. The Keel Reel
    Duration
    01:44
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  12. Disc 2
  13. 1 Parrottry 03:57
    Track
    1
    Title
    Parrottry
    Duration
    03:57
    Composer
    Robin Walker
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  14. 2 Spring 04:32
    Track
    2
    Title
    Spring
    Duration
    04:32
    Composer
    Jeremy Pike
    Performer
    John Turner, Lauren Scott
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  15. 3 To a Child Dancing in the Wind 01:29
    Track
    3
    Title
    To a Child Dancing in the Wind
    Duration
    01:29
    Composer
    Nicholas Marshall
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
  16. 4 A Breath for Life 02:38
    Track
    4
    Title
    A Breath for Life
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Anthony Gilbert
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
  17. 5 Spring 01:44
    Track
    5
    Title
    Spring
    Duration
    01:44
    Composer
    John Turner
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
  18. 6 I. Bourrée 02:03
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Bourrée
    Duration
    02:03
    Composer
    Richard Pantchef
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  19. 7 II. Siciliano 02:41
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Siciliano
    Duration
    02:41
    Composer
    Richard Pantchef
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  20. 8 III. Air 02:48
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Air
    Duration
    02:48
    Composer
    Richard Pantchef
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  21. 9 IV. Minuet 02:00
    Track
    9
    Title
    IV. Minuet
    Duration
    02:00
    Composer
    Richard Pantchef
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  22. 10 V. Gigue 02:22
    Track
    10
    Title
    V. Gigue
    Duration
    02:22
    Composer
    Richard Pantchef
    Performer
    John Turner
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  23. 11 No. 1. Ah! Sunflower 01:46
    Track
    11
    Title
    No. 1. Ah! Sunflower
    Duration
    01:46
    Composer
    Stuart Scott
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
  24. 12 No. 2. The Lilly 01:11
    Track
    12
    Title
    No. 2. The Lilly
    Duration
    01:11
    Composer
    Stuart Scott
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
  25. 13 No. 3. Infant Joy 01:16
    Track
    13
    Title
    No. 3. Infant Joy
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    Stuart Scott
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner
  26. 14 I. November Dawn 03:37
    Track
    14
    Title
    I. November Dawn
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    Geoffrey Poole
    Performer
    John Turner, Alex Jones
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  27. 15 II. Bonfire Night 03:06
    Track
    15
    Title
    II. Bonfire Night
    Duration
    03:06
    Composer
    Geoffrey Poole
    Performer
    John Turner, Alex Jones
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  28. 16 III. Autumn Leaves 05:17
    Track
    16
    Title
    III. Autumn Leaves
    Duration
    05:17
    Composer
    Geoffrey Poole
    Performer
    John Turner, Alex Jones
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet
  29. 17 Carol Lullaby 01:43
    Track
    17
    Title
    Carol Lullaby
    Duration
    01:43
    Composer
    Thomas Pitfield
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner, Lauren Scott
  30. 18 Lullaby 01:54
    Track
    18
    Title
    Lullaby
    Duration
    01:54
    Composer
    Gordon Crosse
    Performer
    Lesley-Jane Rogers, John Turner, Benedict Holland
  31. 19 Overture for St. Paul's 04:59
    Track
    19
    Title
    Overture for St. Paul's
    Duration
    04:59
    Composer
    Christopher Cotton
    Performer
    John Turner, Richard Simpson
    Ensemble
    Victoria String Quartet