Thomas Pitts

About Thomas Pitts

https://musicoftheday.co.uk

Posts by Thomas Pitts:

23 August

August 23rd

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe August, Carthy, Cobblers Hornpipe

Eliza Carthy Born 23 August 1975

Cobblers Hornpipe

Eliza Carthy
By Maybesometime – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15474067

Eliza Amy Forbes Carthy, MBE, is a celebrated English folk musician born on 23 August 1975 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. She is known for her beautiful singing and impressive fiddle playing. Eliza grew up in a family steeped in music, as her parents, Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson, are both folk musicians. At the age of thirteen, she formed a group called the Waterdaughters with her mother, aunt, and cousin, showcasing her talent early on.

Eliza began her professional career at 17, touring as a musician. Over the years, she has released several albums and won many awards, including the Radio 2 Folk Awards, where she won ‘Folk Singer of the Year’. Eliza also collaborated with well-known artists, demonstrating her versatility in music. In 2014, she was awarded an MBE for her contributions to folk music. Eliza’s passion for her craft continues to inspire many young musicians today.

22 August

August 22nd

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France August, Debussy, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, Suite bergamasque

Claude Debussy 22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918

Suite bergamasque L75

Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune L.86 (1)

Claude Debussy
By Adam Cuerden – This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b53118843k/f1, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=144077576

Achille Claude Debussy was a renowned French composer born on 22 August 1862 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Recognised for his innovative style, he is often associated with Impressionism, although he rejected this label. Debussy displayed musical talent early on, entering the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris at just ten years old, where he studied piano and composition.

His groundbreaking opera, Pelléas et Mélisande, premiered in 1902 and earned him international acclaim. Debussy’s compositions include orchestral works like Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and La mer. He sought to break free from traditional symphonic forms, favouring evocative imagery in his music. Inspired by a range of influences, including Russian and Eastern music, he developed unique harmonies that challenged the musical norms of his time.

Debussy’s music continues to inspire many composers today, leaving a significant mark on the world of classical music.

21 August

August 21st

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France August, Boulanger, Faust et Hélène, Vieille prière bouddhique

Lili Boulanger 21 August 1893 – 15 March 1918

Vieille prière bouddhique

Faust et Hélène

Lili Boulanger
By Henri Manuel – [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114463198

Marie-Juliette Boulanger, known as Lili Boulanger, was born on 21 August 1893 in Paris. A talented composer and musician, she made history as the first woman to win the prestigious Grand Prix de Rome composition prize. Growing up in a musical family, Lili showed exceptional ability from a young age. By the time she was just two, she could sing melodies and read music before she could read words. Encouraged by her parents, particularly her sister Nadia, Lili studied a variety of instruments, including the piano, violin, and harp.

Despite facing serious health issues throughout her life, Lili’s creativity flourished. In 1913, she won the Grand Prix de Rome with her cantata “Faust et Hélène.” Her music is known for its vibrant harmonies and emotional depth. Sadly, Lili died young on 15 March 1918, but her legacy lives on, inspiring many musicians and composers today. Lili Boulanger’s story reminds us of the power of music and determination.

20 August

August 20th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe August, Cullum, Pure Imagination

Jamie Cullum Born 20 August 1979

Pure Imagination (Written by British composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley)

Jamie Cullum
By Raph_PH – https://www.flickr.com/photos/raph_ph/39946672290/in/album-72157695502428854/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68708192

Jamie Cullum, born on 20 August 1979, is an English jazz-pop singer, pianist, songwriter, and radio presenter. He is known for his unique style, combining jazz with various musical genres. Jamie has released nine studio albums and has won numerous awards for his contributions to music. Born in Rochford, Essex, he grew up in Wiltshire and struggled with piano exams during his education. Despite these challenges, he pursued his love for music, eventually studying English Literature and Film Studies at the University of Reading.

Cullum’s first album, “Heard It All Before,” was produced on a small budget and drew the attention of many music industry figures. His breakout album, “Twentysomething,” went platinum and made him the UK’s best-selling jazz artist. He often incorporates modern songs into his performances and has played at major festivals worldwide. In addition to music, Jamie presents a weekly jazz show on BBC Radio 2, showcasing his passion for jazz and introducing new audiences to this vibrant genre.

Christina_Perri_@_Grammy_Museum_07_11_2022_(52300441692)

19 August

August 19th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America A Thousand Years, August, Perri

Christina Perri Born 19 August 1986

A Thousand Years

Christina Perri
By Justin Higuchi – Christina Perri @ Grammy Museum 07/11/2022, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122228957

Christina Perri is an American singer and songwriter, born on August 19, 1986. She first gained fame with her song “Jar of Hearts,” which was featured on the dance show So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. After this breakthrough, she signed with Atlantic Records and released her first EP, The Ocean Way Sessions. Her debut album, Lovestrong, came out in 2011 and has been certified platinum.

Perri is well-known for her romantic ballad “A Thousand Years,” which was written for the film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. The song sold over 10 million copies and the music video reached two billion views on YouTube by December 2021. In addition to her successes, Christina has released several albums and EPs, including lullaby collections for her daughters. She moved to Los Angeles at the age of 21 to follow her dreams, facing challenges along the way, but continues to inspire many with her heartfelt music.

Antonio_Salieri_painted_by_Joseph_Willibrord_Mähler

18 August

August 18th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Italy August, Les Danaïdes, Salieri

Antonio Salieri 18 August 1750 – 7 May 1825

Les Danaïdes Overture

Antonio Salieri
By Joseph Willibrord Mähler – [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5312393

Antonio Salieri was an Italian composer born on 18 August 1750 in Legnago, near Verona. He spent most of his life in Vienna, where he became an influential figure in music during the late 18th century. Salieri studied under several respected teachers and eventually became the director of the Italian opera at the Habsburg court from 1774 to 1792. His operas were popular and were performed across Europe.

Salieri is known for composing operas in multiple languages and for his innovative approach to musical drama. He taught many notable musicians, including Beethoven and Liszt. Although his works fell out of favour in the 19th century, interest in Salieri revived thanks to the play and film “Amadeus,” which depicted his complex relationship with Mozart. Sadly, many of Salieri’s compositions were forgotten for years.

17 August

August 17th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France August, Saxophone Concerto, Tomasi

Henri Tomasi 17 August 1901 – 13 January 1971

Saxophone Concerto

Henri Tomasi
By Michelsolis – Template:Michelsolis, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8738661

Henri Frédien Tomasi was a French classical composer and conductor, born on 17 August 1901 in a working-class neighbourhood of Marseille. His parents, originally from Corsica, instilled in him an early appreciation for music, and he began piano lessons at a young age. As a bright student, he won first prize in harmony by the age of fifteen. Tomasi’s early dreams of becoming a sailor led him to skip many music classes, but he later found success in both composition and conducting.

In the 1920s, he studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and won several prestigious awards for his compositions. Tomasi became known for works such as ‘In Praise of Folly’ and ‘Nuclear Era’, reflecting his disillusionment with society after World War II. His compositions often drew from diverse influences and cultures, from Corsican melodies to modernistic styles. Throughout his career, Tomasi’s innovative spirit and lyrical style left a significant impact on classical music. He passed away on 13 January 1971

Bill_Evans_(1961_publicity_photo_by_Steve_Schapiro)

16 August

August 16th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America August, Evans, Nardis

Bill Evans 16 August 1929 – 15 September 1980

Nardis

Bill Evans
By Steve Schapiro – *Original source: Published as a publicity photo in 1961. A scan of the full original photo can be found via Timely-Atlas-Comics on Blogspot (direct link to image).Instant source: High-res scan via Twitter. Retouched by uploader; see upload history below for unretouched original., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99555222

William John Evans, born on August 16, 1929, was an influential American jazz pianist and composer. He is renowned for his innovative use of impressionist harmony and his unique melodic lines that can be described as “singing”. After studying classical music at Mannes School of Music in New York City, Evans began his career in the jazz world.

In 1958, he joined Miles Davis’s famous sextet and contributed to the iconic album “Kind of Blue”, which remains the best-selling jazz album ever. Following this, Evans formed a celebrated trio with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian, which released groundbreaking albums like “Portrait in Jazz” and “Waltz for Debby”. Tragically, LaFaro died in a car accident shortly after a live performance, deeply affecting Evans.

Despite personal struggles, including battles with addiction, Evans produced numerous compositions that are now jazz standards. Over his career, he received 31 Grammy nominations and won seven awards, solidifying his legacy as one of jazz’s greatest pianists.

15 August

August 15th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe August, Ballade for Orchestra, Coleridge-Taylor

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 15 August 1875 – 1 September 1912

Ballade for Orchestra

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
By Adam Cuerden – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs divisionunder the digital ID cph.3c22324.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5107726

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a British composer and conductor, born on 15 August 1875 in London. He is best known for his cantatas based on the poem The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In 1898, Coleridge-Taylor premiered the first part of this work at just 23 years old.

Coming from a mixed-race background, he gained such popularity that he was called the “African Mahler” during his tours in the United States. Coleridge-Taylor married Jessie Walmisley, and they had two children, both of whom pursued music careers. As a child, Coleridge-Taylor showed musical talent early on and studied at the Royal College of Music. He became a professor and conducted orchestras, continuing to compose noteworthy pieces throughout his life. Sadly, he passed away from pneumonia at the age of 37. Despite his struggles, his contributions to music remain significant.

14 August

August 14th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America August, For The Love Of A Princess, Horner

James Horner 14 August 1953 – 22 June 2015

For The Love Of A Princess

James Horner
By FERT98 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46879147

James Roy Horner, born on August 14, 1953, was a celebrated American film composer known for his remarkable contributions to over 160 films and television productions. His unique style blended traditional orchestration with electronic sounds and choral elements, often incorporating motifs related to Celtic music.

Horner gained international acclaim for his score to the blockbuster film Titanic, which won him two Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for the haunting piece “My Heart Will Go On.” He also composed the music for another major hit, Avatar, which became the highest-grossing film of all time. Throughout his career, Horner collaborated with renowned directors such as James Cameron and Ron Howard, earning multiple awards, including six Grammys. Tragically, Horner’s life was cut short in a plane crash in June 2015. His last scores for films like Southpaw and The 33 were released posthumously, ensuring his musical legacy continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.