Nathan Williamson and James Gilchrist on the songs of Thomas Pitfield

04/16/24 • 30 min

Thomas Pitfield, born in Bolton in 1903 and whose life stretched to the very end of the 20th century – he died in 1999 – is one of those polymaths who embraced numerous different outlets: he was a composer, a poet, an illustrator, a calligrapher, a cabinet maker and a teacher. He is probably better known for the people he knew and taught – including John McCabe, John Ogdon and Ronald Stevenson – than in his own right. This new collection of songs is a good start to get to know a fine musical voice. James Jolly spoke, separately, to James Gilchrist and Nathan Williamson about this appealing composer.

This Gramophone Podcast is produced in association with Wigmore Hall.

This Gramophone Podcast is produced in association with Wigmore Hall.

Previous Episode

Kirill Gerstein on 'Music in the Time of War'

Kirill Gerstein’s new album, timed for release mid-way between the anniversary of the death of Claude Debussy (March 25) and Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24), pairs music by Debussy and the Armenian, Komitas. Both composers were profoundly affected by the death and destruction surrounding them during the First World War, and both responded with music of multi-layered intensity. Gerstein links late Debussy piano music with Komitas’s piano works, as well as songs by each composer.

'Music in the Time of War' is released to stream and download by Platoon, and on two CDs with a substantial book of essays next month by Myrios. James Jolly spoke to Kirill Gerstein to learn about the project and why he brought together these two powerful musical voices in the same programme.

This Gramophone Podcast is produced in association with Wigmore Hall.