Four Impromptus, Op. 17 played by Margaret Kitchin (piano)
Early in 1950 Fricker began to work on the first of his Four Impromptus, the other three being written at various times until January 1952, when the set was completed. Although he composed no solo music for piano between the Three Preludes, Op. 1, and the Fourlmpromptus
(which are to be broadcast this evening for the first time) his style of piano-writing is highly individual and distinctive, taking full advantage of the freedom of form and tempo usually associated with this genre. The four pieces are dedicated respectively to Hans Alexander Kaul , Peter Stadlcn , Hans Block , and Margaret Kitchin.
Denis Stevens