I am working for my Pianoforte recital at Horbury (Nr. Wakefield) which is on the 16th of this month — how I look forward to these occasions. Oh! music — what a delight you are to me — it is one thread between man — & spirit.
For “bread money” — I play as “relief pianist” at the Electric Theatre (Picture House) (York) — hours 4.30 to 7 o’clock.
It does not take up too much of my time — what a blessing! !”
William Baines, 1899-1922, in his diary for Wednesday, 2 January, 1918
Baines biographer Roger Carpenter thought that William Baines’ 16 January 1918 recital would have been only the second public recital that the 18-year old composer gave. I’ve met people who remembered William playing at the Primitive Methodists’ Ebenezer Hall, so probably that was the venue.
Tomorrow lunchtime at a recital in Ripon Cathedral Robin Walker performs William’s Tides, two sea pieces for piano, The Lone Wreck and Goodnight to Flamboro’ in a program that also includes performances of William’s Five Songs.
Fifty years ago, for my ‘major project’ at Leeds School of Art I was organising a Baines exhibition and a biographical leaflet. Looking back through my file today I like the inky roughs that I produced on layout paper. Unfortunately the finished publication was in two colours only, so I didn’t take those any further.
Thank you for your references to William Baines, his life and music, Richard. Roger Carpenter was our brother in law, married to Joyce my wife’s sister. He died in May 2019. They lived in Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
Joyce is housebound at the moment following a spell in hospital with a broken hip just before Christmas.
My husband, George David Holbrook was at the 1972 recital in Horbury. He introduced me to Baines’ music and later our daughter Catherine who is now a pianist and composer. We all love his work and I enjoy hearing it when one of them plays one of his pieces
We are hoping that there will be a concert in November at the Methodist Hall, so hope to see you there.
Hello Richard,
You may remember from some time ago that I have William’s attache case, a pen and pencil. I was interested to see Keith Bosley’s poem as, when the church was demolished, the triptych which he mentioned was looking for a home and it came my way. It would appear to have been remounted since Keith saw it! Do you know when there will be information about the prospective concert?
It’s beginning to look as if we’ll be able to have a lunchtime recital by Duncan Honeybourne in the Ebeneezer Hall, followed by a walk to the grave on Sunday 6th November, which I think is the actual anniversary of William’s death. If you’re able to be there, do please bring your Bainesiana. I know there are a few more bits and pieces floating about somewhere in Horbury as Mrs Baines gave one of her friends a picture by Carl Wood, William’s friend, inspired by ‘Labyrinth, A Deep Sea Cave’.
Should be a memorable event.