Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment

A welcome revival for Michael Tippett

Sir Michael TippettComposer Sir Michael Tippett pictured sitting at the piano, May 7th 1973. (Photo by South West Pictures/Radio Times/Getty Images)
Michael Tippett: ‘He laughed at all the criticism and abuse he received and put his faith in the young.’ Photograph: Radio Times/Getty Images

I was delighted to read the news that a letter written by the composer Sir Michael Tippett while in prison has just been sold to the British Library (Report, 8 July). As his closest friend and artistic associate, I very much hope this will lead to a revival of interest in his music, especially by a new generation of musicians.

In the last few decades of his life, Tippett achieved worldwide recognition, winning honours from several universities, not just in the UK but all over the world, and every royal honour right up to the Order of Merit. Also, before Vladimir Putin came to power, Sir Simon Rattle introduced Tippett’s music to Russia.

As happened with a number of composers in the past such as Handel, Mozart and Elgar, fame during Tippett’s lifetime was subsequently lost, but looks likely to be revived soon. Not that he would ever have worried. He laughed at all the criticism and abuse he received and put his faith in the young.

A good example was his last opera, New Year, whose score incorporated rap and reggae, thereby attracting the interest of Paul McCartney. He requested a meeting with Sir Michael, which I arranged and they got on famously. Recalling his most famous work, Tippett might be described as A Child Ahead of His Time.
Meirion Bowen
London

• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.