I did not come from a musical family, although my mother loved music. It was her encouragement and enthusiasm which inspired me to make music a large part of my life.
I started playing the piano at the age of five, taught by a formidable lady who used to hit my hands with a ruler whenever I played a wrong note! In spite of this she got me through all the Piano examinations. I also spent many years playing the clarinet, but now play the Alto Saxophone instead.
I read Mathematics at London University where I obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Mathematics. I then took up teaching as a career. I climbed my way up the teaching ladder and eventually was Deputy Headteacher of a large comprehensive school. I took early retirement because of ill health. This is when I started to compose piano music.
During the last 12 years I have composed nearly 100 piano pieces. I started out creating a CD called LazyDays (piano and synth strings, available on CDBaby.com). Then I worked with Chick Holland of Lahaina, UK and together we produced 2 CDs - called Autumn Shadows and Nature’s Symphony (piano and synth strings - both available in the UK from Tutti).
Since then, several important musical events have happened in my life. First of all, I became good friends with Robin Alciatore who is an award-winning Classical Pianist from California. She loved my music and produced a CD of some of my pieces which is called “Reflections” (solo piano, performed by Robin). I am honoured that she should wish to do this.
I also signed a Publishing Contract with a large UK Company called North Star Music. They have signed 20 of my tracks and hope to get my music into films, radio and TV. They too have produced a CD of my music called “Pause to Music.”
Then, through a wonderful experience on the independent music website called Broadjam.com, I started working on collaborative CD projects with Tom Salvatori from Chicago, Illinois. Tom is an excellent Classical Guitarist and composer with similar stylings to mine and he suggested that we should produce a joint CD combining his guitar compositions and my piano compositions. Tom's publishing company, Salvatori Productions, Inc., owned along with his brother/producer Mike (also a renowned composer of video game scores), released our first collaborative CD "When Evening Falls” in 2007. John Catchings, an excellent string arranger and cellist from Nashville, served as arranger.
It is such a pleasure to work with Tom, Mike and John. The quality of the work produced is second to none as they will only release work on high quality recordings using the talents of real performing artists on real instruments. They have taught me the difference between real strings and keyboard synth strings. Learning this proved to reveal my work in the best light possible...as their collective focus on such a high level of quality makes such a significant difference in creating a timeless sensibility to the work produced. I soon found myself recording on a magnificent 1938 Steinway B Grand Piano in the most beautiful studio (Doz Studios, Tunbridge Wells) in the UK.
And the result? "When Evening Falls" was a smashing success with contemporary instrumental radio program hosts and grew to be ranked #2 on the NAR radio play charts, ultimately moving on to be voted the Best Neo-Classical Album of the year; a prestigious NAR Award that we were at once humbled and excited to receive as it was voted in by Instrumental Music radio program hosts internationally.
Salvatori Productions, Inc. is now part of a very creative and leading edge collaborative alliance to blend great digital art with great music as Fluid Stills(r) produced with a technology-based initiative called Long Glance Media. Their aim is to create an elevation of content for flat screen TVs (aren't we all tired of the fish aquarium and the faux fireplace)? The music from "When Evening Falls" was placed as Score for the Long Glance Media DVD release entitled "Fallen Tree," which features the brilliant and captivating art of Florida oil painter and educator Mick Brandenberger. Mick's digital art panels are presented with subtle changes that transition the Fluid Stills(r) from panel to panel in sync with the music score.
Continuing to support the initiatives of Long Glance Media has led to our second Salvatori & Litchfield CD release; actually a 2-CD set called "Ever Ever On" that presents our new guitar and piano compositions – again featuring the warm and tender string arrangements of John Catchings…this time produced with full-on chamber string ensemble! Our most ambitious effort to date!
Long Glance Media released two DVDs of the subtle, gorgeous artwork of oil painter Bill Turner from Georgia (USA)...one scored with our solo new guitar and piano pieces and the second features the full chamber string ensemble in accompaniment. Just released at the end of 2010, the CD and DVDs are just now starting to pick up momentum in garnering great reviews.
Last but not least, John McEwen, a Church music director and Choral arranger, discovered my piece "Nature's Serenade" on Broadjam.com and asked, knowing that a dear friend of mine had written lyrics, if he could arrange it as a short Choral piece for his Church choir. This was completed in 2009 and it is called “We Thank You, Lord." It received its premiere performance by the Orpington Choral Group (UK)at their celebrated 2009 summer concert, and I was so very pleased to be in attendance as composer. The McEwen arrangement is published in the USA and available as an mp3 download by Salvatori Productions, Inc.
It is truly the blessing of my lifetime to be able to create music that gives enjoyment to other people. Thank you so very much for your interest in our music...and for listening!
