Thomas Pitfield: Orchestral Music
Thomas Pitfield (1903–99) was a polymath: artist, bookbinder, cabinet-maker, calligrapher, cartoonist, composer, designer, poet, printmaker and more. He brought to his compositions the same skill and craftsmanship as to his other activities, but during his long lifetime his personal modesty impeded a general awareness of his achievements. Pitfield’s fondness for folk-music sites his music within the broad tradition of English pastoralism established by Vaughan Williams, Finzi, Howells and others – though a touch of steel can occasionally be heard behind the lyricism.
Emma McGrath, violin
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Paul Mann, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
Sinfonietta (20:44)
- I. Introduction and Dance-Variants. Lento e flessibilie – Allegro (4:54)
- II. Polka. Moderato articulato (2:54)
- III. Pavan. Poco lento, con molta dignità – (2:07)
- IV. Jig. Allegro giocoso (2:27)
- V. Finale. Allegro risoluto (8:22)
Fantasia on an Old Staffordshire Tune for violin and orchestra (12:29)
- I. Andante contemplativo – (2:14)
- II. Allegro marcato – (3:21)
- III. Cadenza – (1:53)
- IV. Andante contemplativo – Più calmato e sereno (5:01)
- Lyric Waltz for string orchestra (3:02)
Bucolics: Folk Songs Studies (13:10)
- I. Comin’ through the Rye; Faithful Journey (2:48)
- II. Where are you going to, my Pretty Maid? (1:33)
- III. So Far from my Country (2:25)
- IV. Gathering Peascods (1:53)
- V. The Little Room (3:00)
- VI. Carrion Crow (1:31)
Concerto Lirico for violin and orchestra (19:00)*
- I. Allegro apprensivo – Molto allegro grazioso – Allegro giocoso – (6:34)
- II. Requiem – in Memoriam Alber Hardie (August 2, 1958) (2:58)
- III. Cadenza – (1:27)
- IV. Release (3:52)
- V. Tempo primo – Giocoso – Larghetto tragico (4:08)
- Epitaph for string orchestra (6:34)
All Except * First Recordings
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