Toad Lane Concert: Duncan Honeybourne

Duncan Honeybourne

Notable pianist Duncan Honeybourne studied at the Royal Academy and the Royal Conservatoire of Birmingham. He plays and records extensively and now teaches at the Royal Academy and the University of Southampton and is an adjudicator and writer.

He introduced his recital on Wednesday 7 August in an enthusiastic and engaging manner, championing the piano music of Northern composer Thomas B Pitfield (1903 - 1999) who taught composition at the Royal Manchester College of Music between 1947 and 1973. Pitfield was something of an arts and crafts, renaissance man, and vegetarian, and two of his famous students were the late John McCabe and John Ogdon.

There has been a resurgence of interest in Pitfield’s music lately, through the Pitfield Trust, and Heritage Records is to make a recording (the director was present at this concert).

It was fascinating to hear a composer’s output encapsulated in one recital, the glittering, virtuosic Toccata making a splendid curtain raiser.

Two Russian Tunes, Three Bagatelles, and Novelette in F were fine miniatures, full of rhythmic vitality with economic thematic material. Then Duncan brought to life an unpublished manuscript he had discovered in the college archives, Sonatina No 2 that showed more development of Pitfield’s voice and style.

Following a charming Little Nocturne, The Circle Suite continued to reveal his mischievous nature with characteristic dance movements Bourree, Minuet, Pavan, Jig each labelled with initials referring to friends, as in Elgar’s Enigma Variations.

Homage to Percy Grainger with clever hints of pastiche of his witty contemporary’s Country Gardens proved a terrific finale and drew well-deserved applause.

The heritage 1935 Challen Grand Piano at St Mary's was entirely suited to Pitfield’s 20th century British national style sound world.

Duncan’s accomplished performances made a worthy showcase of this neglected Northern composer and hopefully will go on to make a definitive recording.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson