David Pentecost

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David Pentecost
David Pentecost in 1988
Pentecost in 1988
Born1940 (age 80–81)
London, England
Occupation
Years active1959–present

David John Pentecost (born 1940) is a British composer, a writer, a retired information technology specialist, and a retired British computer industry history researcher. He is a Certified Information Technology Professional, a Life Member of the British Computer Society,[a] and also a Member of the Computer Conservation Society.[b]

Early life and education[]

David Pentecost was born in London. He was educated privately in piano playing for seven years, from age 6. He attended Christ's College, Finchley[1] (a grammar school in north London), until age 18, and then studied mathematics at Brunel College of Technology. Pentecost passed three examinations at the London College of Music, up to Intermediate level. He then taught himself a large repertoire of classical piano music, during subsequent years.

Significant information technology projects[]

Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd[]

1960 – 1962 Pentecost worked as a computer programmer[c] at computer manufacturer Elliott Brothers in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire – the first British company to become seriously involved with digital computer technology.[2] Pentecost wrote software on the computer to measure the precise execution time taken by another computer program running simultaneously on the same computer.[3] This software was used to demonstrate that Elliott's employee Tony Hoare’s new sorting techniques method Quicksort was faster than previous sorting techniques.[4][d] The Quicksort method, or a version of it, now forms the basis of most computer sorting programs.[5][6]

Mills Associates Ltd[]

In 1962, Pentecost moved to Mills Associates Ltd,[e] where he headed a small team of programmers to implement a unit trust administration system, believed to be the first of its kind.[7][f]

Unit Trust Services Ltd[]

In 1967, Pentecost joined Unit Trust Services Ltd in the City of London, and in 1972 he was appointed as a director.[g] He designed and implemented what was thought to be the first fully computerised unit trust contract note production system. He chose Honeywell’s new H316 industrial process control mini-computer, having persuaded Honeywell that it would be the first of its type to be used for commercial applications in the UK.[8][h][9][i]

Coward Chance (later Clifford Chance)[]

In 1980, Pentecost joined Coward Chance as Business Systems Manager. In 1985 Pentecost designed and implemented a system on a large Burroughs Corporation mainframe computer, to revolutionise the administrative aspects of the office, replacing typewriters with word processors, all linked to the central computer, for accounting, billing and other purposes. The system was called the Office Automation System, and it incorporated an internal electronic mail system, before electronic mail over the Internet became widely available to the general public.[j]

Computer industry history research[]

In 2003, Pentecost learned that , Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at the University of Essex, was leading a project called Our Computer Heritage, to document the history of British computers for the Computer Conservation Society, whilst pioneers with the knowledge of these computers were still alive. The results of the project are now recorded on the website of the Computer Conservation Society.[10] Pentecost offered, and was asked[b] to lead part of the project, as co-ordinator for the Elliott 400 series of computers section of the website, and from 2003 to 2011 he collected information about the hardware, software and systems relating to these computers. One of his tasks was to find out about the computer, which was also known as WREDAC. Only one had been built, in 1955, for the Government's Weapons Research Establishment,[11] in Salisbury, South Australia, for the analysis of guided missile trials at Woomera.[12] Simon Lavington referred to Pentecost's work on the 403 computer in two of his works.[13][14]

Pentecost wrote an autobiography about his work in the computer industry, and included details of his research for the Computer Conservation Society's project to document early British computers. The Society regards his autobiography as a unique book, describing the complete working life experiences of a 20th-century computer programmer.[15]

Music career[]

David Pentecost in 2018

In 1987 Pentecost took organ lessons from Catherine Ennis, at St Lawrence Jewry church, which led to his becoming, for a few years, one of the organists at , in Linslade, Bedfordshire.

In 2001, he was accepted as a member of the in London.[16][k] From 2002 to 2005, before emigrating to Cyprus, he played at five of the Society's Members’ Matinée concerts, and included in his programmes a few of his early piano compositions.[l]

From 2007 to 2011, after emigrating to Cyprus, Pentecost formed and organised two groups of amateur pianists in Cyprus, one in Paphos, the other in Limassol. They were called Pianists’ Circles and were based on similar principles to those of the Chopin Society's Members’ Matinée concerts.[17][m]

He began teaching himself to compose piano solo music in 1996, and he has continued this activity since then, as a professional composer. Russian pianist Tatiana Stupak played one of his compositions at a concert at Cyprus’ Presidential Palace.[18] She and another Russian pianist, Natalia Lezedova, played his early piano works in Cyprus at a public concert in Paphos.[19] He has been administering concerts in Cyprus for Tatiana Stupak since she turned professional.[20]

The Cyprus national broadcaster, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation classical music radio station RIK 4 Classic, has played some of Tatiana Stupak's recordings of his compositions.

In 2015, Pentecost researched the life of the once world-famous Scottish pianist Frederic Lamond (pianist), who was a pupil[21] of Franz Liszt, shortly before Liszt's death in 1886. As a result, he made a documentary video,[22] intended for students of music history, about Lamond and his time spent with Liszt.

In 2018, Pentecost won first prize for composition at the 4th International Competition of Musicians in Cyprus.[23][n]

To date (April 2021), he has written 54 piano solo works, and two works for violin and piano. His music is generally not written in modern styles. He does not write atonal or minimalist music.[24] According to the sheet music published at sheetmusicplus.com, most of his works are in 19th century romantic styles, although a few works are baroque in style.[25] He has written a second autobiography, about his life in the world of music – see Notes k to n below.

List of works[]

List of David Pentecost compositions
Opus Title Composed Published ISMN
1 Lullaby-Mazurka 1996–1999 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-01-3
2 Mélodie Triste et en Colère 1997–1999 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-02-0
3 Rondo 1997–1999 ISMN 979-0-708013-03-7
4 Fantasia 1997–1999 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-04-4
5 Rondo-Scherzo 1997–1999 ISMN 979-0-708013-05-1
6 Reverie 2014 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-06-8
7 Waltz 2008 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-07-5
8 Song without Words 2008 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-08-2
11 Prelude 2014 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-11-2
12 Etude 2015 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-12-9
13 Nocturne 2015 2015 ISMN 979-0-708013-13-6
16 Theme & Variations 2016 2016 ISMN 979-0-708013-16-7
17 Etude 2016 2016 ISMN 979-0-708013-17-4
18 Nocturne 2016 2016 ISMN 979-0-708013-18-1
19 Nocturne 2016 2016 ISMN 979-0-708013-19-8
20 (Printed book of Op.1 – Op.19) 2016 2016 ISMN 979-0-708013-20-4
21 Prelude 2017 2017 ISMN 979-0-708013-21-1
22 Fantasia 2017 2017 ISMN 979-0-708013-22-8
23 Prelude 2017 2017 ISMN 979-0-708013-23-5
24 Nocturne 2017 2017 ISMN 979-0-708013-24-2
25 Nocturne 2017 2017 ISMN 979-0-708013-25-9
26 Theme & Variations 2017 2017 ISMN 979-0-708013-26-6
27 Prelude 2018 2019 ISMN 979-0-708013-27-3
28 Impromptu Dance 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-28-0
29 Relaxation Video 2019 2019 ISMN 979-0-708013-29-7
30 Dreaming 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-30-3
31 Prelude 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-31-0
32 Petit Impromptu 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-32-7
33 St. Petersburg Waltz 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-33-4
34 Fantasia 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-34-1
35 Waltz 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-35-8
36 Prelude 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-36-5
37 Nocturne 2019 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-37-2
38 Impromptu 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-38-9
39 Nocturne 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-39-6
40 Flowers in the Rain 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-40-2
41 Theme & Variations 2015 & 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-41-9
42 Etude 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-42-6
43 Nocturne 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-43-3
44 Petit Nocturne 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-44-0
45 Mazurka 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-45-7
46 Nocturne 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-46-4
47 Bagatelle 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-47-1
48 Petite Valse 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-48-8
49 Intermezzo 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-49-5
50 Prelude 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-50-1
51 Prelude 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-51-8
52 Etude 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-52-5
53 Impromptu 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-53-2
54 Divertimento 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-54-9
55 Etude for the Sostenuto Pedal 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-55-6
58 Improvisation 2021 2021 ISMN 979-0-708013-58-7
59 Waltz 2021 2021 ISMN 979-0-708013-59-4
98 (Printed book of Op.1 – Op.55) 2020 2020 ISMN 979-0-708013-98-3
List of David Pentecost arrangements
Opus Title Arranged Published ISMN
9 Prelude – J. S. Bach BWV855 2012 2014 & 2017 ISMN 979-0-708013-09-9
10 A Chloris – Reynaldo Hahn 2012 2014 ISMN 979-0-708013-10-5
14 Zueignung – R. Strauss 2015 2015 ISMN 979-0-708013-14-3
15 Musetta's Waltz – Puccini 2015 2015 ISMN 979-0-708013-15-0
56 Ex Op.46 Poème for Violin & Piano 2021 2021 ISMN 979-0-708013-56-3
57 Ex Op.18 Nocturne for Violin & Piano 2021 2021 ISMN 979-0-708013-57-0

Genealogy research projects[]

From about 1981 to 1991, he researched the history of his father's family, tracing it back in England to about 1480, and publishing a book.[26] He became a member of the Society of Genealogists in London. He also researched for a few years up to 2014, the history of his mother's family and associated families, producing several books totalling more than 800 pages, which were distributed electronically privately to family members.

References[]

  1. ^ The Centenary Book Of Christ's College, Finchley 1857 – 1957. printed for the School by G F Amory & Sons Ltd, Finchley. 1 January 1957. ASIN B001U0Z94Q.
  2. ^ Lavington, Simon Hugh (May 1980). Early British Computers The Story of VINTAGE Computers and the People Who Built Them. Manchester University Press. p. 58. ISBN 9780719008108.
  3. ^ Pentecost, David John (11 February 2011). SOFTWARE AND SAMPLE PROGRAMS FOR ELLIOTT 401, 402, 403, 405 COMPUTERS (PDF) (Technical report). Computer Conservation Society. pp. 16–25.
  4. ^ Hoare, Charles Antony Richard (1 January 1962). "Quicksort". The Computer Journal. 5 (1): 13. doi:10.1093/comjnl/5.1.10. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  5. ^ Wild, Sebastian (13 August 2018). "Quicksort is Optimal for Many Equal Keys". 2018 Proceedings of the Fifteenth Workshop on Analytic Algorithmics and Combinatorics (ANALCO). pp. 8–22. arXiv:1608.04906. doi:10.1137/1.9781611975062.2. ISBN 978-1-61197-506-2. S2CID 17298957.
  6. ^ Edelcamp, S.; Weiss, A.; Wild, Sebastian (2018). "QuickXsort: A Fast Sorting Scheme in Theory and Practice". arXiv:1811.01259 [cs.DS].
  7. ^ Pentecost, David (June 1963). "Surmounting the Peaks in data processing demands". Data and Control. Vol. 1 no. 6. London: Business Publications Ltd. pp. 28–30.
  8. ^ "Unit trust dealings processed on H316". Computer Weekly. London. 2 July 1970.
  9. ^ Bennett, Arthur; Schoeters, Ted, eds. (1 July 1970). "Low-cost contract system". Financial Times. London.
  10. ^ "Computer Conservation Society". Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  11. ^ Dean, John (2012). "Australia's WREDAC – It Was Rocket Science". Australia's WREDAC – It Was Rocket Science. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. 387. Berlin: Springer. pp. 1–21. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-33899-1_1. ISBN 978-3-642-33898-4.
  12. ^ Lavington, Simon H (January 2011). Jones, Cliff B.; Lloyd, John L. (eds.). Swords and Ploughshares: Connections between Computer Projects for War and Peace, 1945 – 55. Dependable and Historic Computing – Essays Dedicated to Brian Randell on the Occasion of His 75th Birthday. Berlin: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 313–322. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-24541-1. ISBN 978-3-642-24540-4.
  13. ^ Lavington, Simon (2011). Moving Targets. Springer. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-84882-932-9.
  14. ^ Lavington, Simon (2006). "Our Computer Heritage Working Party". Journal of the Computer Conservation Society. No. 38. London: Computer Conservation Society. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  15. ^ "News Round-up". Journal of the Computer Conservation Society. No. 91. London: Computer Conservation Society. 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Newsletter of the Chopin Society" (Autumn 2001 ed.). The Chopin Society UK. 2001. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  17. ^ Constantinou, Saskia (29 April 2007). "Pianos, pianists and performances". Cyprus Sunday Mail. Nicosia. p. 51.
  18. ^ "Концерты Татьяны Ступак". Retrieved 16 January 2021. V Prezidentskom dvortse v Nikosii 12 iyunya sostoyalsya kontsert «Gorod pod zvezdami»<>Tat'yana otkryla kontsert tremya sol'nymi proizvedeniyami: «Merkutsio» S. S. Prokof'yeva, «Noktyurnom, or. 18» limasol'skogo kompozitora Devida Pentekosta i «Balladoy № 1» F. Shopena. В Президентском дворце в Никосии 12 июня состоялся концерт «Город под звездами»<>Татьяна открыла концерт тремя сольными произведениями: «Меркуцио» С. С. Прокофьева, «Ноктюрном, ор. 18» лимасольского композитора Дэвида Пентекоста и «Балладой № 1» Ф. Шопена. [On 12 June, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, a concert "City under the Stars" took place <> Tatiana opened the concert with three solo pieces: "Mercutio" by S. Prokofiev, "Nocturne, Op.18 "by the Limassol composer David Pentecost and "Ballade No.1" by F.Chopin.]
  19. ^ "Something new for the piano". Cyprus Mail. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Tatiana Stupak. Contemporary pianist you should be listening to". Afisha Cyprus. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Frederic Lamond". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  22. ^ Pentecost, David (4 July 2016). Frederic Lamond's life & time with Franz Liszt (2nd ed.). Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  23. ^ "IV INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF MUSICIANS IN CYPRUS nominations". Archived from the original on 21 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Two Classical Pianists – One Composer". Cyprus Events. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  25. ^ "David J. Pentecost Sheet Music". Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  26. ^ Pentecost, David (1 January 1991). The History of the Pentecost Family of Borehamwood. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0951871904. Retrieved 16 January 2021.

Notes[]

  1. ^ The British Computer Society certificate given to David Pentecost is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, page 18. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  2. ^ a b The Computer Conservation Society's letter of authorisation is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, page 87. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  3. ^ The Elliott Brothers offer to David Pentecost is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, page 8. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  4. ^ Download the PDF file: the relevant section on comparative timings is the second paragraph on page 13.
  5. ^ The Mills Associates offer to David Pentecost is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, page 29. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  6. ^ The article is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, pages 33–35. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  7. ^ The Unit Trust Services Ltd appointment to David Pentecost is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, page 47. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  8. ^ The article is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, page 46. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  9. ^ The article is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, page 45. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  10. ^ The Office Automation System brochure, produced by Burroughs Corporation, is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). MY WORKING LIFE The story of a 20th century computer programmer, pages 61–65. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-951-87193-5
  11. ^ A photocopy of the list of new members is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). My Life In Music, page 32. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-9518719-4-2
  12. ^ Pentecost's music programmes are reproduced in his autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). My Life In Music, pages 34–35. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-9518719-4-2
  13. ^ The newspaper article about Pentecost's Pianists’ Circles is reproduced in his autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). My Life In Music, page 58. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-9518719-4-2
  14. ^ The diploma is reproduced in Pentecost's autobiography: Pentecost, David (2020). My Life In Music, page 55. United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-9518719-4-2
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