4 Apr 2019

John RITCHIE: Suite No 1 for Strings

From Music Alive, 8:01 pm on 4 April 2019

John Ritchie shows his consummate craft in this charming work for string orchestra.

John Ritchie

John Ritchie Photo: Supplied

John Ritchie died in 2014 on his 93rd birthday.

He was a very versatile musician: a clarinettist, conductor, professor of music at the University of Canterbury for many years, and of course a fine composer.

This Suite dates from 1956. There are three short movements: an opening Allegro, then an Air, and the third movement is in two parts: an Intrada and a sprightly Fugue.

His son is Anthony Ritchie, New Zealand’s most-played living composer.

Recorded by RNZ in Auckland Town Hall, 4 April 2019
Producer: Tim Dodd; Engineer: Adrian Hollay

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