THE CHURCH TIMES, 17 JANUARY 2025
Garry Humphreys writes:
ENGLISH SONG was the specialisation of
Michael Pilkington, who has died, aged 96, but one of his most significant
contributions to the world of professional and amateur music-making was to the
New Novello Choral Edition, which brought into line with modern scholarship at
the end of the 20th century editions of the choral classics that had remained
in use since Victorian times and were long past their sell-by dates.
Mendelssohn’s Elijah is
a very good example: the whole story is rather complex, though explained in
Pilkington’s Preface; but, for example, he returns to Mendelssohn’s original
careful underlay of English words rather than the Victorian editor’s adaptation
of English words to the German notes and rhythms. Mendelssohn also prepared his
own piano part for the vocal score — again largely abandoned in later editions
— which Pilkington adopted. Of course, as editor, he was aware of all existing
relevant editions, while keeping Mendelssohn’s intentions in mind, including
groupings of movements and pauses in between. The result has been a fresher and
more dynamic work, without the religiosity and longueurs that long infected
performances in Britain. This is just one example, others including Messiah, The
Creation, Verdi’s Requiem, and even Maunder’s From Olivet
to Calvary. I used to tease him that he was the new Ebenezer Prout.
Michael was perhaps best-known for his
editions of English songs and guides to the repertoire, which, as well as
recording the technical details, attempted to encapsulate the meanings of the
songs and suggestions for interpretation. These range from lute songs to
composers such as Peter Warlock (a particular interest) and Ian Venables. I had
the privilege and pleasure of working with him as joint editor of A Century of
English Song, the ongoing series from the Association of English Singers and
Speakers, for which I could always rely on him for sound advice and
inspiration.
His greatest single contribution at the
Guildhall was his English Song Class, which he taught for 30 years; many future
distinguished names were among his students. He was awarded a Fellowship by the
School in 1972. He conducted many English Song workshops at universities in the
US (1980-87), and, after retirement, associated himself with various musical
organisations. He conducted, played the organ, adjudicated singing
competitions, and wrote reviews, alongside producing printed scores and parts
for various professional ensembles, which he continued to do up until his
death.
Largely unknown by the public, his work
enabled both professional and amateur performers to perform or read about music
with the benefit of an accessible and agreeable commentator and guide.
