A long life

The death a week ago of Thomas Pitfield, the British composer, teacher, artist and craftsman, has ended a long life (born 1903), much of it devoted to music, with distinguished composers Maxwell Davies, Alexander Goehr and John McCabe beneficiaries of his teaching at the Royal Northern College of Music.

The Bournemouth Sinfonietta is no more

More sad news from the UK - the Bournemouth Orchestras have come to an agreement with the Arts Council to wind up the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is not affected.

Back to Bach basics

BBC2 (UK domestic TV) has laid down a challenge for Bach 2000 celebrations. Five composers are to follow Bach's pattern of composing weekly a cantata for the next Sunday. They will compose a ten-minute work for chorus and orchestra under realistic conditions (plus challenges such as a performer ill or double-booked) and deliver the completed work within seven days. Cameras will follow the proceedings to be shown in five programmes on TV in the late spring.

Previously published news ...

Howard Ferguson

Howard Ferguson has died. Please read our separate obituary.

International Piano Quarterly axed

The long-running success story of Gramophone's quality quarterlies for the enthusiast has left takeover management bosses apparently unimpressed. Following the decision last month to close International Opera Collector, edited by veteran broadcaster Michael Oliver, the new owners of Gramophone, Haymarket Magazines Ltd (publishers of Autocar and Horticulture Week), have now axed International Piano Quarterly. To the shock of a flourishing readership, the Winter 99/2000 issue will not appear. In the two years of its publication, with a distinguished panel of writers and consultants drawn from leading pianophiles and critics around the world, International Piano Quarterly, edited by Harriet Smith, enjoyed a glittering reputation on both sides of the Atlantic. What chances of reprieve? Will International Classical Record Collector or new investment Gramophone Early Music be the next to go? Tell us what you think, e-mail Gramophone editor James Jolly direct editor@gramophone.co.uk .

Voces Sacrae

Voces Sacrae's latest recordings include Michael Finnissy's Seven Sacred Motets (l991), recorded on Metier MSV CD92023, and 'Except the Lord Build the House', recorded in Exeter College Chapel together with the choir of St.Mary Magdalen, and comprising music by Mendelssohn, Byrd, John Rutter and W.S.Lloyd Webber (Metier ..........). The 8-voice choir was recently heard at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, during a tour of New South Wales.

Voces Sacrae's recording of Michael Berkeley's Eight Motets, together with music by Magnus Williamson, Gabriel Jackson and Bob Chilcott, will be released in the new year.

Voces Sacrae can be contacted by e-mail, or visit their website.

RD