EMINENT MUSICIAN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 12, 16 January 1933, Page 3

EMINENT MUSICIAN

DEATH OF MR. PERCY PITT

FORMER MUSIC DIRECTOR

OF THE 8.8.C.

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 29th November. Musical people in many countries will regret to receive news of the sudden death of Mr. Percy Pitt, the eminent conductor, composer, and performer. In latter days ho was musical director of the B.B.C.—from 1924 to 1*929. Since then lie had still been closely associated with, broadcasting, to which his services have fiesn invaluable. He had conducted several concerts a month—all distinguished by".his great ability. Ho had had a full and varied life. He was an authority on every kind of music, in fact he was a walking encyclopaedia on music, old and new. ■ On the morning of his death he was at the 8.8.C. discussing future broadcasts. He was due again next morning, but by then ho had passed away in his sleep at his homo in Hampstca'd, death being due to heart failure. Mr. Pitt, who was 62 years of age, had been under medical treatment for some time for heart trouble, but was teaching and rehearsing as usual on Tuesday. His daughter said that her father awoke during the night and said he felt ill, but after taking brandy he seemed all right. Ho was not about as early as usual in the morning. Inquiry established the fact that he was dead in bed. Born in London in January, 1870/ Mr. Pitt studied music in Paris, Leipzig, Munich, and Berlin. At the- age of 26 he was appointed official organist at Queen's Hall and accompanist at the Promenade Concerts. His connection with Covent Garden opera dated back to 1902, and in 1920 he became artistic director to the' British Kational Opera Company, a post ho held for four years. His musical compositions included tho symphonic prelude "Le sang dcs Crepuscules," a suite from the incidental music to Stephen Phillips's "Paola arid Francesca"; incidental music to "Flodden Field' 1 and to "Eichard II.," besides many examples of chamber music. On all sides it is realised that he will be sorely missed. Mr. Collie Knox, in the "Daily Express," writes:—"lt is no exaggeration to say that thero have been few men connected with our home of broadcasting so universally popular as he was with all with whom his radio work brought him into contact. Immensely genial and easy of approach, he was without a trace of, that arrogance that sometimes overtakes lesser men when they reach the top of their ladder.; Perhaps his most strikiing trait was his almost super-human memory. He was a veritable walking encyclopaedia of music. No composer was too obscure, no piece of musical composition too humble, for his retention. He spoke five or six languages fluently, and his knowledge of Continental singers was of immense value when he joined the 8.8.C." Another friend ("Morning Post"), comments:—"Where Pitt was really most remarkable was in his general knowledge of music, and in particular of opera. Ido not think anyone in England possessed anything like nis operatic experience; there was nothing about the operas of France, Italy, or Germany that he did not know. This, combined with an aptitude that amounted1 to something like genius for dealing with those difficult people, operatic stars, made his presence invaluable at Covent Garden nnd elsewhere. Probably the public never realised for a moment the debt they owed to his presence in the theatre, for his most valuable work "was necessarily done in comparativo privacy. But it was done, and, for the life, of me, I cannot see who. is qualified to take- his place if arid when the occasion arises."

His many activities brought him in contact with a great number of musicians, both. British and foreign, every one of -whom could not but be attracted by his courteous manner, his wide experience and profound knowledge. Ho counted among, his friends almost all the great musicians who have visited England since the. days of Hans Richter. In 1925 he married Miss Margaret Bruce, th© Australian soprano, and teacher of singing.