Thomas Pitfield: String Chamber Music
This is a remarkable collection of 5 compositions for strings by Thomas Pitfield, performed with thoughtful skill by members of the Pleyel Ensemble. This album of Pitfield’s string chamber music is accompanied by two further Divine Art releases – The Songs of Thomas Pitfield performed by tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Nathan Williamson and Thomas Pitfield (DDX 21119): His Friends & Contemporaries, including works from a fine collection of composers (DDX 21246)
These albums serve to shed light on Thomas Pifield’s considerable contribution to British music. 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.
This album offers a glimpse into Pitfield’s 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.
The Pleyel Ensemble was formed in Manchester in January 2011. They are friends and colleagues who draw on a wealth of experience gained through many years of music-making. Since forming, they have given over 200 concerts, and have an enormous and varied repertoire of chamber music. The Pleyel Ensemble was delighted to be chosen as Making Music Recommended Artists for the 2016/17 and 2019/20 seasons and has appeared at Music Societies and Festivals all over the UK.
The ensemble takes its name from the Classical composer Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831), a brilliant musician and businessman, who, in addition to writing a large body of accessible chamber music, helped increase the popularity of this wonderful kind of music-making amongst amateurs and professionals as both music publisher and piano manufacturer in the early nineteenth century.
Track Listing
- I. Molto moderato 5:53
- II. Andante pastorale 5:20
- III. Allegro moderato ma agitato 5:17
- I. Allegro marcato 5:47
- II. Larghetto solenne - Allegro quasi allegretto 5:45
- III. Allegro marcato 6:07
- Epigraph for violin, cello and piano 1:51
- I. Preludio (Allegro risoluto) 3:18
- II. Arietta (Andantino dolce) 2:33
- III. Scherzino (Allegretto grazioso) 2:33
- IV. Toccatina (Allegro vivace) 2:11
- I. Variations (Allegro) 4:58
- II. Pastoral Interlude (Andantino) 4:17
- III. Epilogue (Allegro) 4:17
Piano Trio No. 1 in C major
Piano Trio No. 2 in F minor (Lyric)
Sonatina for cello and piano
Sonata in D minor for cello and piano
Reviews
“There can be no doubt that this is a first-rate disc and I welcome it with much enthusiasm. This new recording should help to advance Thomas Pitfield’s fast-growing reputation and hopefully lead to many more performances of music by this rewarding composer.
” —David Jennings
“Pitfield possessed a pronounced gift for melody as well as for harmonic and contrapuntal development…The result is music that is immediately appealing but that also rewards repeated listening…it is difficult to imagine Pitfield’s chamber music not appealing to you.
” —Henry Fogel
“The Pleyel Ensemble…bring great understanding and warmth to Pitfield’s music. Pitfield would surely have been very pleased with this disc. It will add to the continuing rediscovery of his music.
” —William Kreisler
“…it is good to hear this music, because it is excellent! Everything on these discs is played with loving commitment.
” —Ronald Corp
“One needs to know that Thomas Baron Pitfield was a polymath…he has been unfairly ignored on the wider stage of concert halls and recital rooms. I had noted earlier that I enjoyed, and genuinely warmed to, the pieces of his which I heard. [The performances] exude brilliance, technical competence and a sympathetic understanding of Pitfield’s music.
” —John France
