A disc of chamber music by RMCM alumnus Thomas Pitfield recorded at the College in 1993 has been re-released by Heritage Records.
Featuring soprano Tracey Chadwell (1959 – 96), pianists John McCabe (1939 – 2015), Janet Simpson and Keith Swallow, violinist Dennis Simons, oboist Richard Simpson, and recorder player John Turner, the 70-minute selection includes Pitfield’s Violin Sonata No 1, Oboe Sonata in A minor, Novelette in F for piano and, among others, Three Nautical Sketches for recorder and piano.
Born in Bolton in 1903, Pitfield studied piano, cello and harmony at the Royal Manchester College of Music with Thomas Keighley, Frank Merrick and Carl Fuchs. He later taught at the College between 1947 and 1973 where his pupils included John Golland, John Ogden and John McCabe, to whom this re-release is dedicated.
Full track listings:
Violin Sonata No 1 (1939)
Three Miniatures for soprano and violin
Eight Songs for soprano and piano
Three Nautical Sketches for recorder and piano (1983)
Rondo alla Tarantella for recorder and piano (1985)
Prelude, Minuet and Reel for solo piano (1931)
Novelette in F for piano (1953)
Studies on an English Dance Tune for piano (1976)
Polka for oboe and piano (1947)
Oboe Sonata in A minor (1948)
