Percy Pitt (1869-1932)

 

 

A native of London, Pitt studied music in Europe at the Leipzig conservatory with Carl Reinecke and Salomon Jadassohn, then at the Royal Academy of Music in Munich with Josef Rheinberger, and for six months in Berlin.

He was appointed in late 1902 as Music Advisor at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (where André Messager was Musical Director), also acting as musical coach and assistant stage conductor. He was assistant to Hans Richter in 1903, preparing the chorus and orchestra for a complete 'Ring' cycle (given twice) under Richter's baton.

 Pitt became Director of Music at Covent Garden in 1907 after Messager's departure. In 1908, he was again Richter's assistant in a highly regarded production of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung sung in English. 

 From May 1923 he was Musical Director of the British Broadcasting Company becoming full-time Director of Music in November 1924, remaining there through its 1927 transition from the commercial to public sector, as the British Broadcasting Corporation, and until he was succeeded by Adrian Boult in 1930. Pitt died in London in 1932.

 As a conductor one critic described his technique thus: "His conducting methods were a trifle peculiar. He had a habit of burying his head in the score and waving his arms over his head like a gesticulating stag-beetle... This habit rather detracted from the personal magnetism which great conductors exercise, owing to the orphaned orchestra seeing nothing less abstract than a baton."

 Pitt's reputation as a composer, strong in his early career, has been completely eclipsed, with no sign of any modern revival in interest. He wrote orchestral, choral and chamber works. Much of his orchestral music was heard at the Proms and was repeated in following seasons. He was a close, life-long friend of Henry Wood.

Ballade for violin and orchestra (1900)

The Ballade is associated with the great violinist Ysayë, who performed it more than once, first in February 1900 with the Queen's Hall orchestra under Henry Wood. The work was praised for its "full-blooded richness of colour". Ysayë played it again in Dresden. The work is a single movement of many moods, mostly delicately scored.

The front cover of this particular score is dedicated to Cowen. (click to enlarge)

 

Although rhapsodic in design one theme underpins the whole movement.

 

 

SAMPLE: Ballade (start)

After a few dramatic outursts the music settle to a tranquil ending.