Maurice Cole (pianist)

Maurice Cole (1902 – 1990), was an English pianist, teacher and adjudicator who studied privately and at the Guildhall School of Music with Arthur De Greef.

Maurice Cole was born in London, England. He was the first pianist to broadcast a recital on the BBC and went on to perform, amongst many other compositions, both books of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier on the BBC Third Programme. He was professor at the Guildhall School of Music from 1953, was appointed Professor of Pianoforte at the School on two occasions and was a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.[1] He was married with Doris Allen.

During the Second World War, he was a member of ENSA and entertained the forces, both in London and abroad. In 1958, he went on an extensive performance tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other countries.

Cole recorded extensively in the 1920s and 1930s for release on 78 rpm for Vocalion, for Hyperion during the late 1940s, and for Classics Club Records during the late 1950s (later reissued by Saga Records). He was also one of the first pianists to broadcast from the Marconi House Studio in 1922 and also broadcast from Savoy Hill.[2]

Known recordings

78 rpm

33 rpm
  • J. S. Bach "Concerto in the Italian Style / Overture in the French Manner", Saga Records
  • J.S. Bach – Das Wohltemperirte Klavier, Book I and II (The Well-Tempered Clavier) Saga Records[3]
  • Beethoven Variations Opp. 34 & 35, Rondo in G Op. 51/2, Saga Records
  • Brahms selected piano pieces, Classics Club
  • Franck Prélude, Choral et Fugue, Classics Club

Known performances

Christchurch Town Hall
  • 6 January 1941

St. Peter's Hall
  • 28 November 1942, Recital by Maurice Cole (piano), Harold Fairhurst (violin) and Margaret Bissett (alto), in aid of the Linen Guild of the Royal Victoria and West Hants Hospital[4]

Bournemouth Chamber Music Society

4 February 1950, Frederick Fuller (baritone), Maurice Cole (piano)

  • Paganini-Liszt, Study no. 2 in E-flat
  • Stanford, An Irish Idyll (six miniatures)
  • Schubert, "Der Musensohn" (The Son of the Muses)
  • Bax, Hill Tune
  • Khatchaturian, Toccata
  • Beethoven, Sonata in A-flat major, Op. 110
  • Schubert, "Heidenröslein" (Wild Rose)
  • Schubert, "Am Meer" (By the Sea)
  • Schubert, "Fischerweise" (Fisherman's Song)
  • Schubert, "Nachtstück" (Night Piece)
  • Scarlatti, Sonata in A major
  • Scarlatti, Sonata in B minor
  • Bach, Prelude and Fugue in D major

BBC Henry Wood Promenade

Monday 7 September 1959, Basil Cameron, John Hollingsworth, Constance Shacklock (contralto), Nicanor Zabaleta (harp), Maurice Cole (piano)

Published works

Criticism

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1

"One can perhaps scarcely expect subtlety for eight shillings. What we get is sensible work and passable orchestral tone, with the pianoforte’s part a good way the best of the bargain. Would it be better worth while to improve the orchestral tone, and charge a little more for the records – if that could be arranged?".[6]

Grieg piano concerto

"I have never regarded Mr. Cole as an extremely fine interpreter—more as a sound general utility man. Still, the records are well worth trying by those who like hefty playing... ...In the slow movement (of the Greig piano concerto) the opening orchestral section is omitted and the movement is taken a little faster than the marked speed. The pianist is too urgent in this. It needs stroking. Some of his notes clang a trifle more than I like."[7]

Chopin, Rachmaninov, Grieg

"Reginald Paul's British contemporary Maurice Cole made a number of highly impressive discs for Broadcast – I think especially of his Chopin, Rachmaninov and the Grieg Concerto with the same Metropolitan band (and Stanley Chapple) that accompanies Reginald Paul. He also made some less well-known sides for Aco – and they are no less impressive. Cole is an undeservedly neglected figure though some will remember his Bach LPs from the 1960s. He was married to the fiddler Winifred Small, with whom he also recorded, and we should have examples of his musicianship on CD. End of sermon."[8]

Bach

"These are thoughtful, considered performances; you feel Mr. Cole has a reason for everything he does." Review of Cole's recording of Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, book II in Gramophone Magazine, June 1963.[9]

"…unfailing musicality, control of partplaying, complete accuracy, admirably firm rhythm, and an avoidance of all posturing and pretentiousness (would that the same could be said for all other Bach players!)" Review of Cole's recording of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier book I in Gramophone Magazine, November 1962.[10]

References
  1. London Metropolitan Archives
  2. Saga Records XID 5135, liner notes, 1962.
  3. This recording in its last LP form is on six Saga LPs, nos. SAGA (XID) 5131 (I, 1–9); 5132 (I, 10–21); 5133 (I, 22–24: II, 1–4); 5134 (II, 5–11); 5135 (II, 12–18); 5136 (II, 19–24).
  4. "Home Page". Concertprogrammes.org.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  5. "Concert Annals: BBC Henry Wood Promenade Concerts 1959 - 1962". Concertannalsd.blogspot.com. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  6. Gramophone magazine, 1929
  7. Gramophone Archive
  8. Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb-International
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