I have just heard that Ronald Stevenson died this morning, just three weeks after his 87th birthday. I have seen no published notices of this yet so cannot post a link to anything.
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Last edited by ahinton; 28-03-15, 18:03. -
Not a good winter/spring for our British pianists
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world. -
Terribly sad news - a fine, fine composer whose work deserves a wider audience. The Passacaglia on DSCH (score and recording leant to me by my piano teacher who knew him from their Manchester days) had a tremendously moving effect on my teenage imagination and opened unexpected vistas showing what Music could do and be.
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My first encounter with works of his was his 1st piano concerto "Faust Triptych".
shortly afterwards I heard the Passacaglia on DSCH.
I don't know many of his works, but he got a warm place in my heart.
RIP
Ronald Stevenson
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Vey sad news.
The grim reaper is having a busy time in the music world lately.
RIP.Comment
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My thoughts exactly when I heard the news this morning. The scythe seems to be cutting a particularly wide swathe through British composers: the latest British Music Society journal has obituaries for John McCabe, Arthur Butterworth, Peter Sculthorpe and Patrick Gowers (I didn't know he had died: he wrote some of the best TV themes and incidental music ever produced, including those for the Jeremy Brett "Sherlock Holmes", "Smiley's People", and the dramatisation of Zola's "Therese Raquin".) And not too long ago, we also lost Antony Hopkins and John Tavener.Originally posted by EdgeleyRob View PostComment
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The very first 'big event' in my musical life involved Ronald Stevenson. I had a fixation with the music of Percy Grainger and cossesponded with Ella Grainger, his widow. It was a real correspondence, too, not just a fan letter. It lasted about four years, around my university spell. During that time (probably 1974) she invited me to a recital to be given by Ronald Stevenson at the Purcell Room (she and her secretary would be over from New York for it). She paid for it all, including getting me a room in a hotel in Montague St by the British Museum - truly luxurious for a 21-year-old student.
The concert was of music by Grainger and his friends, and included much I'd never heard - Henry Cowell's The Banshee was unforgettable, played directly on the piano strings (it was the first time I'd appreciated that was an option!). Stevenson introduced all the pieces, took off his jacket during the concert and later undid his tie - all very Graingerish. I was introduced to him at the reception afterwards but I was too tongue-tied to do more than croak and skwawk a few naive things. But the following morning I joined Stevenson, Ella Grainger, her secretary Stewart Manville (whom she later married) and a small group including the widow of Cyril Scott. We had morning coffee and a stimulating chat in relaxing surroundings. I was even able (just about) to contribute something useful to the discussion. Later, Stewart Manville got me a cab (first time I'd ever ridden in one) to take me to Paddington.
Ella Grainger later wrote to me that "Percy would have enjoyed your company". Knowing rather more about PG now than I did then, I'm not entirely sure how to take that.
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Lovely memories, Pabs - many thanks.
Originally posted by Pabmusic View PostElla Grainger later wrote to me that "Percy would have enjoyed your company". Knowing rather more about PG now than I did then, I'm not entirely sure how to take that. 
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Telegraph obituary: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...-obituary.html
Independent obituary: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pe...-10144581.html
Morning Star obituary: https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/...5#.VT42WJOUJyE
Herald Scotland obituary: http://www.heraldscotland.com/commen...nson.122078632Comment
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Many thanks for going to the trouble of making these links avalable.Originally posted by Boilk View PostComment
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Yes, many thanks indeed, especially as I had not previous seen the Morning Star one.Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View PostComment
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