John Pitts
John Pitts is a British composer, teacher, and author of two books of Indian raags for piano. He studied at Bristol and Manchester Universities, and composes mostly chamber music, especially for piano solo/duet/duo/triet – stylistically melodic, motoric, motif-driven, folk-inspired, jazz-tinged, post-minimal impressionism. His virtuosic pieces for two pianists (7 Piano Duets & Triets inspired by music from around the world and Gaelic Faram Jig in Kiev) have been performed at concerts, competitions and festivals in many European countries, Armenia, Australia, Russia, Ukraine and the USA, including a concert of his music in Perpignan Conservatoire's 2015 Festival Prospective 22ème siècle. His Piano Quartet won the 2003 Philharmonia Orchestra MMSF Composition Prize at the Royal Festival Hall. His 2009 album Intensely Pleasant Music: 7 Airs & Fantasias and other piano music, performed by Bristol's Steven Kings, received “delicious” reviews. Secretary of Severnside Composers Alliance (2003-2015); Associate Conductor of Bristol Millennium Orchestra (2010-present). www.pianoraag.com, www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_1EMIPM08, www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_1EMHDUS