Noel Mewton-Wood
the pianist, who took an overdose in 1953, aged 31
The London Evening News reported Noel Mewton-Wood’s suicide on 11 December 1953.
He blamed himself for the death of a "very dear friend", William Fedrick, with whom he lived.
This newspaper cutting is in the Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive, at Middlesex University, London.
The Australian painist, Noel Mewton-Wood had an enormous repertoire ranging from Weber to Stravinsky. He had a particular interest in Feruccio Busoni's music and performed the five-movement piano concerto on three occasions - twice under Beecham (see below). Arthur Bliss’s Sonata for Piano was composed for Noel Mewton-Wood in 1952.
Bryce Morrison writes:
"Noel Mewton-Wood’s (1922-53) journey from underestimated virtuoso to present-day icon is cause for both celebration and irony. Glowing testimonials to his ‘genius’ (Sir Malcolm Sargent) from Myra Hess, Beecham, Schnabel, Bliss, Hindemith and Britten were countered by indifference from the major record labels and concert managements, a situation that doubtless contributed to his suicide at the age of 31. Behind an ebullient surface, Mewton-Wood was a romantic idealist, susceptible to depression and mood-swings. So it is hardly surprising to find the dichotomy reflected in performances which alternate a luminous poetic delicacy with a rare energy and bravura."
[Gramophone, November 2003]
Arthur Bliss composed an Elegiac Sonnet for tenor and piano quintet, with words set by Cecil Day Lewis in memory of Noel Mewton-Wood after the latter's suicide. It was first performed by Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten and the Zorian Quartet in December 1954. (See also Hyperion CD CDA67188/9).
There was a Noel Mewton-Wood Memorial Concert at the Wigmore Hall in London on 28 January 1955, with Peter Pears (tenor) and Benjamin Britten (piano).
Mewton-Wood recordings available on CD
- Australian Heritage's 3-CD tribute album, "Noel Mewton-Wood: The Legendary Recordings" (ABC 461 900-2)
- Tippett's cantata, Boyhood's End and his song-cycle, The Heart's Assurance - Peter Pears is accompanied in this 1952 recording by Noel Mewton-Wood. (EMI Classics: 5851502)
- Feruccio Busoni's Piano Concerto (op. 39), performed by Noel Mewton-Wood, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham - a live BBC broadcast dating from 1948 (Somm Recordings: SOMM-BEECHAM 15)
- Weber/Chopin recital (Pearl Piano Masters 727031003120)
- Chopin Piano Concertos (Dante HPC105)
- Beethoven and Schumann Piano Concertos, recorded 1947-49 (Dante HPC106)
- Tchaikovsky's Piano Concertos, recorded 1952 (Dante HPC 164/5)
- "Mewton-Wood plays Twentieth Century Piano Concertos", ie
Arthur Bliss: Concerto for piano and orchestra in B flat major;
Stravinsky: Concerto for piano and wind instruments;
Shostakovich: Concerto for piano, trumpet and strings, recorded in 1952-53. The Shostakovich was Mewton-Wood's last commercial recording. (British Music Society: BMS 101 CDH)