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
MusicWeb International :
‘A discerning approach to this distinguished recording requires one to appreciate that Thomas Pitfield was a true polymath: a composer, poet, artist and craftsman of notable versatility. His musical language reveals the influence of Frederick Delius, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Percy Grainger, yet always retains an individual character. Unhesitant in his engagement with folk song, Pitfield resourcefully integrates it into a classical context. That yields compositions distinguished by appealing melodies, sophisticated harmonic treatment, and a sensitivity to instrumental technique. […]
All the works get committed performances by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra under Paul Mann. The violin soloist, Emma McGrath, gives outstanding accounts of the two concerted pieces. I have already mentioned the liner notes, which add value and interest to the package. The recording is splendid.
This is altogether a valuable exploration of Thomas Pitfield’s eminently approachable music. One hopes that Toccata Classics will soon re-examine his extensive catalogue.’
—John France, MusicWeb International