Identity area
Reference code
GB GB1179 DMJ-DMJ/2-DMJ/2/2
Title
Musical works of Thomas Pitfield
Date(s)
- c1961-c1985 (Creation)
Level of description
File
Extent and medium
12 items
Context area
Name of creator
(1903-1999)
Biographical history
Thomas Baron Pitfield was born Apr 5 1903 in Bolton. He was a music teacher, composer, 'cellist, pianist, engineer, inventor, artist, calligrapher, woodworker, cabinet maker, book binder, lino print maker,writer, essayist, pacifist, conscientious objector and vegetarian. In his teen years he worked in engineering on leaving school at 14. In 1924 he entered the Royal Manchester College of Music for a year. He taught at Tettenhall College from 1935-1945, becoming composition tutor at the Royal Manchester College of Music in 1947 and latterly the Royal Northern College of Music, retiring in 1973. His numerous compositions included works for orchestra, brass band, chamber ensembles, piano solo, and choral. Pitfield published 2 volumes of autobiography: No Song, No Supper (1986) and A Song After Supper (1991), and many other works. Fuller details of his life can be found in these volumes. He married Alice Astbury, a fellow student at the RMCM, on December 26 1934, and died in 1999.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Includes limericks; a nativity play; a photocopy of a piano solo (annotated with Dennis Jones's name); a song for soprano voice with piano and recorder; solos for a piano accordion; a photocopy of 'Naiad' (words by Dennis Jones, set to music by Pitfield); an album of works, signed by Pitfield, to celebrate his 80th birthday; and 2 copies of a cassette tape of a recital of compositions of Pitfield. There is also a framed copy of 'Naiad'.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open