Thomas Pitts

About Thomas Pitts

https://musicoftheday.co.uk

Posts by Thomas Pitts:

1 November

November 1st

Thomas Pitts England, Europe, Music November, Quilter, Where the Rainbow Ends

Roger Quilter 1 November 1877 – 21 September 1953

Where the Rainbow Ends Suite from the Incidental Music

Roger Quilter
By Herbert Lambert – National Portrait Gallery, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111470075

Roger Cuthbert Quilter was a renowned British composer born on 1 November 1877 in Hove, Sussex. Known for his art songs, he composed over a hundred pieces, many of which set poetry by famous writers like William Shakespeare to music. Quilter’s early education took place at Farnborough and Eton College, before he studied composition at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, where he met other aspiring composers.

Quilter’s musical reputation stems from his songs and light music, such as the popular Children’s Overture, which features nursery rhyme tunes. He collaborated closely with the tenor Gervase Elwes until Elwes’ death in 1921. His opera “Julia” premiered at Covent Garden in 1936 but had limited performances.

Despite facing personal challenges, including struggles with his identity and mental health, Quilter left a lasting legacy. His most famous works include “Love’s Philosophy” and “Non Nobis, Domine,” which is widely sung in schools today.

31 October

October 31st

Thomas Pitts Albania, Europe, Music Gjoni, Lule Bor, October

Simon Gjoni 28 October 1925 – 31 October 1991

Lule Bor

Simon Gjoni
https://albemigrant2011.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/simon_gjoni.jpg

Simon Gjoni was born on October 28, 1923, in Shkodër, Albania. He grew up in a typical urban family and finished his education at the “Illyricum” High School. His love for music began early, as he learned to play the guitar, trombone, and piano. By his youth, Gjoni had composed over 200 original songs, including famous pieces such as “Lule Bore” (Snowflower). This song gained acclaim in Albania and even reached international audiences after performances in countries like Russia and the USA.

After studying at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague from 1952 to 1958, Gjoni returned to Tirana. There, he taught at the Artistic Lyceum and later the Conservatory of Music, inspiring many aspiring musicians. He conducted notable operas and ballets, contributing significantly to Albania’s cultural scene. Gjoni’s compositions spanned various genres, and he was known for his deep understanding of music. His legacy continues to influence Albanian music today, marking him as a significant figure in the arts.

30 October

October 30th

Thomas Pitts Music, North America, United States of America Coolidge, October, Sonata No. 4

Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge 30 October 1864 – 4 November 1953

Sonata No. 4 Allegro deciso

Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge
By John Singer Sargent – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs divisionunder the digital ID cph.3a01097.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=3945209

Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, born on 30th October 1864, was an American pianist and passionate supporter of chamber music. She grew up in a wealthy family in Chicago, where her musical talent was nurtured. Studying piano and composition, she married Frederic Shurtleff Coolidge, who sadly passed away shortly after, leaving her to raise their son, Albert. After inheriting a significant fortune, Coolidge devoted her life to promoting chamber music, an art form that had not received much attention in her country.

In 1916, she founded the Berkshire String Quartet and two years later established the Berkshire Music Festival. Her efforts transformed chamber music into an important area of composition in the United States. She supported many composers, commissioning new works and creating the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress, specifically for chamber music performances. Coolidge not only enriched the musical landscape but also left behind a legacy of commissioned works from composers like Benjamin Britten and Samuel Barber.

29 October

October 29th

Thomas Pitts Music, North America, United States of America Hefti, Li'l Darlin', October

Neal Hefti 29 October 1922 – 11 October 2008

Li'l Darlin'

Neal Hefti
By William p. Gottlieb – http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.gottlieb.04031/enlarge.html?page=1&section=ver01&size=1024&from=, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118082609

Neal Paul Hefti was born on October 29, 1922, in Hastings, Nebraska. He was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger, well-known for creating music for the beloved television series like The Odd Couple and Batman. Hefti began his professional career as a teenager by writing musical arrangements for local bands. By the age of eleven, he started playing the trumpet at school. He gained inspiration from legendary musicians like Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie, with whom he had the chance to perform.

In 1950, Hefti began arranging for Count Basie’s orchestra, helping redefine the big band sound. His compositions like “Li’l Darlin'” and “Splanky” became significant hits. Hefti also worked extensively in film and television during the 1960s, capturing audiences with memorable themes. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy nominations.

Peter_Wyngarde,_Howard_Blake,_Melody_Anderson_–__Flash_Gordon__(1980_film).jpg_(Cropped)

28 October

October 28th

Thomas Pitts England, Europe, Music 9: Ballad, Blake, Lifecycle, October

Howard Blake Born 28 October 1938

Lifecycle 9: Ballad

Howard Blake
By Kirsty Downs – https://flickr.com/photos/138253905@N07/23299627852, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=151040743

Howard David Blake OBE FRAM, born on 28 October 1938, is an English composer, conductor, and pianist whose remarkable career has lasted over 50 years, producing more than 650 works. He is best known for the soundtrack of Channel 4’s 1982 film, The Snowman, which features the famous song “Walking in the Air”. Blake was born in London and grew up in Brighton, where his musical talents blossomed early. His mother played piano and violin, while his father sang in the church choir. At age 11, he began singing lead roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Blake initially took a break from composing and pursued work in film. He made a comeback by performing in pubs and was later signed by EMI. Blake gained fame working on music for television series and films, including A Month in the Country and The Snowman. He has also composed various concert works and has received numerous awards for his contributions to music, including an OBE in 1994.

27 October

October 27th

Thomas Pitts Music, North America, United States of America A Ring of Time, Argento, October

Dominick Argento 27 October 1927 – 20 February 2019

A Ring of Time

Dominick Argento
By King Elder (Ekredle) – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76930730

Dominick Argento was an American composer, born on October 27, 1927, in York, Pennsylvania, to Sicilian immigrants. He is renowned for his operatic and choral music. Some of his most celebrated works include the operas Postcard from Morocco, Miss Havisham’s Fire, and The Aspern Papers. Notably, his song cycle, From the Diary of Virginia Woolf, won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1975. Argento spent much of his life in Minnesota, where he taught at the University of Minnesota and was instrumental in developing the Minnesota Opera.

His music is characterized by a blend of tonal and atonal elements. Argento also composed 14 operas and various song cycles and choral works, many of which were performed by local artists. He continued to create music throughout his life and received numerous awards, including the Brock Commission in 2009.

26 October

October 26th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Italy, Music October, Scarlatti, Sonata in G minor

Domenico Scarlatti 26 October 1685 – 23 July 1757

Sonata in G minor K4

Domenico Scarlatti
By Domingo Antonio Velasco – http://intoclassics.net/_nw/305/77701004.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23760364

Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti was an Italian composer born on 26 October 1685 in Naples. He is best known for his 555 keyboard sonatas, pieces that have influenced many composers throughout history. Scarlatti’s music is classified primarily as Baroque, though it also contributed to the development of the Classical style. He spent a significant part of his career serving the Portuguese and Spanish royal families.

Scarlatti was the sixth of ten children in a musical family, studying under his father, Alessandro Scarlatti. He later worked in the Chapel Royal of Naples and composed operas for Queen Marie Casimire in Rome. His sonatas, written mainly for the harpsichord, exhibit a variety of styles and moods, reflecting his ability to blend different musical influences.

Scarlatti moved to Madrid in 1733, where he continued to compose until his death on 23 July 1757. His unique contributions to keyboard music remain celebrated, and he is regarded as a significant figure in the music world.

25 October

October 25th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Italy, Music Fantasy on "Un ballo in maschera", October, Sivori

Camillo Sivori 25 October 1815 – 18 February 1894

Fantasy on "Un ballo in maschera" In G Major, Op. 19

Camillo Sivori
By E. Bieber – http://www.luminous-lint.com/app/image/75154142332287536098/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11603760

Ernesto Camillo Sivori was an Italian virtuoso violinist and composer, born in Genoa on June 6, 1817. He was the only known pupil of the legendary violinist Niccolò Paganini. Beginning his career in 1827, Sivori became a renowned travelling virtuoso, performing in many countries until 1864. He delighted audiences with pieces like La Campanella and The Carnival of Venice. In 1846, he famously introduced Mendelssohn’s violin concerto to England.

Sivori collaborated with notable figures, including composer Giuseppe Verdi, who praised his exceptional technique. He lived in Paris for many years, before passing away in Genoa on February 18, 1894. Sivori was dedicated to preserving Paganini’s unique style and often adapted pieces to showcase his extraordinary talent. Sivori owned valuable violins, including a favourite gifted to him by Paganini, a Vuillaume violin.

Sofia_Gubaidulina_July1981_Sortavala_©DSmirnov

24 October

October 24th

Thomas Pitts Europe, Music, Russia Gubaidulina, In Tempus Praesens, October

Sofia Gubaidulina 24 October 1931 – 13 March 2025

In Tempus Praesens

Sofia Gubaidulina
By Dmitri N. Smirnov – Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1236240

Sofia Gubaidulina was born on 24 October 1931 in Chistopol, Tatarstan. She grew up in a culturally rich family, with her father being a surveyor and her mother a teacher. At a young age, Sofia discovered her passion for music, which she secretly explored, especially as the Soviet Union was often hostile to religious and spiritual themes. Her music became known for its distinctive styles, integrating Western and Eastern musical elements, and making innovative use of microtonality and contrasting tonalities.

Throughout her career, Gubaidulina faced challenges, including censorship from Soviet authorities. Yet, she persevered and became one of the leading composers of her time, celebrated for emotional depth in compositions such as her “Offertorium” violin concerto. Gubaidulina believed music could express profound human experiences and spiritual concepts. She continued to create until her passing on 13 March 2025, leaving behind a legacy of bold compositions.

23 October

October 23rd

Thomas Pitts Asia, Japan, Music Green, October, Yoshimura

Hiroshi Yoshimura 22 October 1940 – 23 October 2003

Green

Hiroshi Yoshimura
By Unknown – Original publication: Unknown Immediate source: https://genius.com/artists/Hiroshi-yoshimura, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61987109

Hiroshi Yoshimura was a Japanese musician and composer born in Yokohama in 1940. He is regarded as a pioneer of ambient music in Japan, known for his unique style called kankyō ongaku, or environment music. His compositions often feature soft electronic melodies combined with the soothing sounds of nature, such as flowing water, gentle rain, and singing birds. Interestingly, his album Green, released in 1986, included these nature sounds in its American version but not in the Japanese release.

Yoshimura began learning the piano at just five years old and graduated from Waseda University in 1964. Influenced by the Fluxus movement and composers like Erik Satie, he founded the computer music group “Anonyme” in 1972. His innovative approach extended to designing music for various spaces, including galleries and train stations. Yoshimura passed away in 2003 after a battle with skin cancer, but his music has since gained renewed popularity, earning him critical acclaim for his significant impact on Japanese ambient music.