Comments on: Daniel Pinkham, American Composer, (1923-2006)

By: philip T. Ventre

philip T. Ventre — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:42:01 +0000

I studied Renaissance and Baroque music with Dan Pinkham at NEC in the early 1960′s. I had two superb music history teachers at NEC, Dan and F. Judd Cooke. Their exemplary scholarship and passion for music inspired me to pursue a degree in music history. I have had the honor and privilege to perform and conduct Dan Pinkham’s music. Musicians and audiences love his music! Everyone – adults and children – are indeed blessed to have had the pleasure of hearing his music. His music will continue to delight and to inspire us.

By: Daniel J. Kennedy

Daniel J. Kennedy — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:39:42 +0000

We have certainly lost a wealth of knowledge here. Pinkham upheld high standards in the classroom, and was funny, even ascerbic with me when I went to NEC, telling me on a day I was unprepared for class, “Well then, why don’t you just go play in the street” (which was Huntington Ave. & not particularly safe)! He spearheaded Renaissance sonorities long before Arvo Part!

By: Conrad Susa

Conrad Susa — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:03:03 +0000

When I was brought on board ECS by Thomas Dunn, Robert MacWiams treated us to a wonderful dinner upstairs in a Boston restaurant, and I finally met the fabled composer-raconteur, We were all glowing from the food and happy talk. As Robert MacWilliams was bringing the evening to a close, Dan asked how he could possibly repay his publisher for this “wonderful evening”? My, companion, the poet Jon Peterson, hitherto silent, spoke up and said, “Well Dan, you could always write us another hit!” No one laughed harder than Dan. Always generous, genuinely full of kindness, he will be deeply missed even as we continue to enjoy his music.

By: John Holenko

John Holenko — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:15:36 +0000

As a confused and overwhelmed freshman studying classical guitar at NEC in 1981, I had the opportunity to be coached by Daniel Pinkham on a few Handel arias with a fellow freshman vocal student. I couldn’t imagine why Dan would spend his valuable time working with two lowly freshman, but he was kind and patient, and most helpful. Being a guitarist, I came into contact with Dan and his music quite a bit in my 4 years at NEC, and then years after when I contacted him about working on some of his chamber music with guitar and he sent me a stack of beautiful music, some in his own hand. He was a true gentleman and a great musician, and one does not need to aspire to much more.

By: William Kuhlman

William Kuhlman — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:09:21 +0000

As we reflect on our delightful encounters with Dan over the years at Chilton Street, at conclaves and gatherings and during his trips to the midwest with Andrew, we remember a kind, witty and gentle giant overflowing with “savoir-faire” and warmth.

He will be greatly missed but his prodigious legacy in composition will afford us many opportunities to “savour the sauce”.

By: Leo Nestor

Leo Nestor — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:39:46 +0000

We say farewell to a wonderful, prolific composer of diverse styles, a man of music and letters, a gentleman. We find comfort and continuity in the works we have and will perform. He leaves us much.

By: Matthew Guilford

Matthew Guilford — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:30:10 +0000

I have posted some thoughts and recollections on Daniel Pinkham and his Christmas Cantata in particular, on my site and blog,
located at http://www.matthewguilford.com

By: Daniel Pinkham (1923-2006) - MatthewGuilford.com

Daniel Pinkham (1923-2006) - MatthewGuilford.com — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:17:25 +0000

[...] Composer Daniel Pinkham died yesterday, December 18, 2006 in Natick, Massachusetts. He was 83 years old. A full biography can found by clicking here. Although I was saddened by the news of his passing, the mere mention of his name brings a smile to my face, particularly during the holiday season. [...]

By: David Spence

David Spence — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:53:57 +0000

Our choir, London Pro Musica (in London, Canada), recorded Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata on a CD called “Snow has fallen” a couple of years ago. When we first started rehearsing it I (a bass) thought it pretty odd stuff, but when the brass was added in it became quite another piece of music altogether.

How wonderful for him to have been capable of putting such imagination on paper- and for all of us to put it into practice!.

By: Kit Emory

Kit Emory — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 04:49:22 +0000

I just think of his transition from spiked leather (that belt buckle!) to dapper gentility. So many of us were blessed to have studied under him, to have sung his works, to have enjoyed his humor and to have beheld the marvelous, wicked twinkle in his eye. America has lost a significant composer and a beautiful person.