Music has always been deeply intertwined with the city of Leeds. The city regularly hosts music festivals, concerts, and various events, with municipal authorities and foundations working hard to support talented youth. Leeds has also been the birthplace of many renowned figures in the world of music. Today, our article focuses on a composer who was born in Leeds, Philip Christian Darnton, who was also a writer. Read more about the life and work of this notable figure on leeds-trend.com.
Childhood and Youth of the Composer
Philip was born in 1905 in Leeds. His father was a landowner and a baron, although he renounced his title before the First World War. Growing up in a wealthy family, Philip was educated at home by a governess and showed a keen interest in music from an early age.
In 1924, Darnton began studying at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, followed by further studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Thanks to his family’s affluence, he had the opportunity to study in Berlin under Max Butting, who had a significant influence on his musical development.
Musical Career and Other Endeavours
Philip first came to public attention in March 1927 when his father sponsored a music evening for him at Grotrian Hall, London. At just 21 years old, Darnton performed in a string quartet and presented his highly chromatic first piano sonata. However, the concert received harsh criticism in the press. This strained his relationships with some composers, who felt he had gained undue attention. Following this, Philip decided to continue his studies in Berlin, where Max Butting greatly shaped his musical style.
Music wasn’t the only passion in Darnton’s life. He developed an interest in journalism, becoming assistant editor of The Music Lover in the 1930s. After his work in journalism, Darnton began to gain recognition for his music.
In April 1936, the BBC Symphony Orchestra performed his Viola Concerto with Bernard Shore as the soloist under the baton of Iris Lemare. Two years later, the orchestra performed his Swan Song. In 1939, Darnton received critical acclaim after presenting five orchestral pieces at the International Society for Contemporary Music Festival in Warsaw.
Throughout his life, Darnton balanced his music with writing. In 1940, he authored the book You and Music. However, his musical career faced challenges due to his political affiliations. Becoming a supporter of the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1941, his compositions became simpler, and his political views eventually hurt his popularity. In 1942, the BBC refused to broadcast his cantata The Ballad of Freedom citing national security concerns.
In 1943, his overture Stalingrad premiered at the Royal Albert Hall. A year later, he created a series of patriotic documentary films for the military.
After World War II, Darnton stopped composing for two decades. It wasn’t until the 1970s that he resumed, working on pieces like Concerto for Orchestra, String Quartet No. 4, and Symphony No. 4.
Personal Life
Philip married his first wife, Joan Mary Bell, in 1929, with whom he had two sons. During the war, he worked in civil defence, where he sustained serious injuries. This led to strains in their marriage, ultimately resulting in divorce.
Darnton later had a relationship with writer Elizabeth Balchin, the wife of novelist Nigel Balchin. The affair was no secret, and Nigel even caricatured Darnton in his novel Darkness Falls from the Air.
In 1953, Darnton married for the second time, tying the knot with dancer Vera Blanche Martin.
This is the remarkable life story of Philip Christian Darnton, a composer and writer from Leeds. We hope this article has been both informative and engaging, offering you insights into the life of one of Leeds’ notable figures.
