Stephen Plaistow, writer, broadcaster and devoted champion of contemporary composers, whose articles appeared in Gramophone’s pages for more than half a century, died on January 31. 

Born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire in 1937, SP – as he was known to Gramophone's readers for many years – began playing piano aged four and music very quickly became the dominant element in his life. He went to Bedales, the co-educational school in Petersfield, Hampshire – the choice apparently less to do with its progressive values than the fact it took music seriously, and was one of the few schools to offer a scholarship in music – where he also played cello (plus cricket, which remained a lifelong passion). 

He won a music exhibition to Clare College, Cambridge, though before going up, found himself one of the last generation of National Servicemen, spending two years in the 1st Battalion the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, which took him to the Harz Mountains in Germany and for whose band he learnt and played the French horn.

At Cambridge, in 1957, he added harpsichord to his skills, gave piano recitals and became President of the Cambridge University Music Club, which held chamber concerts. It was also there that his first 'notices' appeared, in the Cambridge Review, and by the time he arrived in London in 1960 he was set on becoming a music critic, writing freelance articles for both The Times and Musical Times. In 1961 he first appeared in the pages of The Gramophone, becoming the then youngest member of the critics’ panel.

He soon attracted the attention of William Glock, the BBC's Director of Music, and joined the Corporation on New Year's Day 1962 as a music producer concerned primarily with solo recitals and chamber music, and in March 1964 became producer of the Tuesday Invitation Concert. He went on to enjoy decades of association with BBC Radio 3 as both producer and broadcaster.

A writer of great elegance, and of a warmth and generosity of spirit that reflected his manner in person, his articles embraced piano – Gramophone articles in latter years ranged from perceptive praise of Igor Levit’s Bach to an interview with Alfred Brendel on the occasion of the pianist’s retirement – and a life-long commitment to championing the music of our own age. Gramophone’s monthly Contemporary Composer feature, which began in 2013, was launched at his suggestion and today remains an integral part of the magazine’s mission of championing the art form.