I have no information on Richard Platt, except that he composed a number of piano miniatures and songs that were published by the Boston firm Oliver Ditson in the early 1910s and later in 1927. He may have been Richard Barnes Platt (1877-1952), who was born in Missouri, died in New Bedford, MA, and is listed by Find a Grave as a music teacher. If anyone can find more concrete info, I'd be much obliged, as he was clearly more talented than his total obscurity warrants.
I came across his Chanson in F in the Parlor Music digital archives of the Bagaduce Music Lending Library, made public through University of Maine, and I was immediately struck by its craftsmanship, rich textures and obvious beauty. Based on this piece alone, I'll need to request scans of the rest of his output, because his voice was clearly worth celebration. This is the piece's first recording.
21 сен 2024