John Pitts

John Pitts is a British composer, teacher, and author of the unusual 268-page book "How to Play Indian Sitar Rāgas on a Piano" (first published 2016, fully revised 2nd edition 2020) for adventurous pianists, followed by "Indian Rāgas for Piano Made Easy" (2018, 2020) for fledgling pianists, "Extreme Heterophony: a study in Javanese Gamelan for one or more pianists" (2021) and "SAKURA Three Koto Transcriptions for solo piano" (2022). His 2009 album "Intensely Pleasant Music: 7 Airs & Fantasias and other piano music by John Pitts", performed by Steven Kings, received “delicious” reviews (see below), and his virtuosic pieces for two/three 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 Armenia, Austria, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom & USA. Winner of the 2003 Philharmonia Orchestra MMSF Composition Prize at the Royal Festival Hall. His piano music is stylistically melodic, motoric, motif-driven, jazz-tinged, post-minimal impressionism – in recent years reflecting a particular interest in various traditional world musics. Visit the pianoraga website for books, cds and downloads, and to see video guides and reviews. --- REVIEW of "7 Piano Duets & Triets inspired by music from around the world" (2016): “musically engaging, yet highly challenging… effectively incorporate sitar raags, African balaphon ensembles and Indonesian gamelan music… “Joyful Balaphony” and “Glittering Gamelan” are particularly interesting as they have instructions for optional prepared piano modifications… Pitts provides an excellent explanation of the pieces in the preface and helpful performance directions in the score… It is important to consider that many of the pieces from this collection were composed for professional piano duos…. There are many technical, rhythmic and ensemble challenges that would limit performance to only very experienced and adventurous ensemble performers. However, for those that are up to the challenge, I feel the musical results will be quite rewarding.” Jacob Clark, American Music Teacher, June/July 2023 --- REVIEWS of “Extreme Heterophony: a study in Javanese Gamelan for one or more pianists” (2021): “…in this new book by John Pitts, we find a novel and very practical approach to unravelling and understanding this intricate and seemingly impenetrable world. …it is an in-depth and detailed study, and users of this book will be generously rewarded by the investment of their time, effort and patience. …very impressive…” Chris Baxter, Piano Professional, January 2023 “…a wealth of knowledge in Javanese Gamelan in this pedagogical book… thorough overview… plentiful information… detailed notation… Teachers and students wishing to explore more about Javanese gamelan will enjoy this book.” Jui-Ching Wang, Piano Magazine, December 2022 “…compelling and rewarding. …a respectful anthropological exploration which acknowledges the value of this music and looks to learn from it. That is celebration and it is invaluable.” Allan J. Cronin, NewMusicBuff, July 2022 “…this latest offering from the enterprising composer John Pitts provides a fascinating introduction to the rudiments of Javanese gamelan music. …Pitts’ presentation and methodology ensure that readers emerge with a broad awareness of Indonesian culture… Pitts offers a practical rather than theoretical introduction to gamelan through extensive and ingenious ‘transcriptions’.” Murray McLachlan, International Piano Magazine, July/August 2022 “carefully-researched and clearly presented… This detailed, well-researched handbook is a fascinating introduction to the alluring soundworld of Javanese gamelan.” Frances Wilson, Cross-Eyed Pianist, January 2022 --- REVIEWS of "How to Play Indian Sitar Ragas on a Piano & Indian Ragas for Piano Made Easy" 2016/2018/2020 editions: "If you are curious about rāgas, composer John Pitts' method books are exactly what you need ...a great introduction to a very different genre of classical music ...well researched and rich in detail ...demystifying the Indian classical genre for western audiences and opening the door to a new way of understanding music." Evelyn Dias, Piano Magazine, Summer 2021 "Studying John Pitts' innovative books could fundamentally change your perspective on music. ...Both books are fascinating and deserve wide currency." Murray McLachlan (Chair of the European Piano Teachers Association and Artistic Director of Chetham's International Summer School), International Piano Magazine, Jan/Feb 2021 "Five stars to John Pitts for his exhaustive and absorbing book on a timeless music with a very different feel and conception - a journey of discovery for the pianist." John Carpenter, WAIF Radio, and Administrator of the Advanced Piano Performer's Forum, 1 December 2020 “a fascinating and unique product!” Christopher Norton, Oct 2017 “bursting with information, ideas, and advice… truly monumental… a lot of fun” Dr Gail Fischler, Piano Bench Mag, Dec 2017 “fascinating” Dr Angela Miller-Niles, American Music Teacher Magazine, Oct 2017 “endlessly fascinating..." Allan Cronin, NewMusicBuff, Feb 2017 "As with the first book, this too is highly recommended. Kudos Mr. Pitts!” Allan Cronin, NewMusicBuff, April 2018 “…I strongly recommend the book to pianists with an eye and an ear to the East…” Dr Jonathan Katz, International Piano Magazine, Sept 2017 “If you have any interest in this esoteric arena… I can’t imagine a better primer than this.” Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb-International, March 2017 “a very well produced and informative book” Robert Matthew-Walker, Editor, ‘Musical Opinion’ “This is a great book.” Dr Mark Polishook, Jan 2017 “very handsomely produced … immediately accessible and enjoyable … utterly enchanted … a fabulously colourful and rich new sound world … a brilliant boon … this stunning music … an essential purchase … HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” Andrew Eales, Piano Dao, March 2018 “I can see this book being extremely useful to: those who teach world music and would value a keyboard approach to it; classical pianists wanting a wonderfully approachable insight into Indian music; and anyone teaching pupils of Indian heritage.” Fiona Lau, Music Teacher Magazine, July 2018 “exposure to the actual practice of this music will leave a valuable bit of programming in my neural circuits that will enhance my musical thinking and ability to appreciate other musics. …highly recommended.” Allan Cronin, New Music Buff, April 2018 “A Very Out-of-the-Box Book for the Improv-Challenged Pianist …a very useful tool … fascinating … A perfect approach for someone who just can’t fully break away from the printed music yet! … extremely accessible …” Natalie Weber, Music Matters, April 2018 “intriguing, attractive and engaging… Recommended” Frances Wilson, Crosseyed Pianist, Feb 2018 --- CD REVIEW - Duo Bohemes: Harmonies d’un soir "...I was made aware from the disc of Piano Music by John Pitts which I reviewed some time ago, that here is a composer who has something of real interest to say. All the pieces I have heard so far are really characterful and imaginative and Raag Gezellig is no exception. The piece by John Pitts is well-worth investigating and it is brilliantly played here by Duo Bohêmes." Geoffrey Molyneux, musicweb-international, July 2014 --- CD REVIEW - Intensely Pleasant Music: Airs & Fantasias and other piano music by John Pitts (Intensely Pleasant Music IPM08, Hyperion Records 1EMIPM08) "Realmente un magnífico repertorio desbordante de calidad, belleza y de sumo interés."4 stars Alejandro Clavijo, Reviews New Age "The performances by Steven Kings are excellent ... All [the pieces] are pleasing to hear and will be satisfying to play" Patric Standford, Music & Vision Daily “This is a colorful and interesting set by a talented composer.... The playing by Steven Kings is technically and emotionally perfect." Oleg Ledeniov, MusicWeb International 4 stars Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide “great character and emotional integrity...a thoroughly worthwhile project” Mark Tanner, Piano Professional Magazine “recomendable" Adolfo del Brezo, OpusMusica “…surely more than just `intensely pleasant music'.” Michael Darvell, ClassicalSource 4 stars Paul Riley, Venue Magazine 5 stars Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion Magazine 4 stars Andy Gill, The Independent “…highly listenable stuff, very deftly in control of its chosen medium. A number of disparate influences are on display here, but welded into an overall idiom of considerable charm… `Intensely pleasant music'? Most certainly.” Calum MacDonald, International Record Review Magazine 9/10 “this album is beautiful, moving and relaxing” Andy Whitehead, Cross Rhythms “A colossal musical project… stunning and seriously impressive" John France, MusicWeb International "Exciting stuff all round - vital, energising, but sensitive when need be. Toes - prepare to tap." Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International