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#1
Post-Mahler, although there has been a flowering of interest in purely instrumental symphonic writing, I think it's also fair to say that the concept 'symphony' has been stretched and stretched beyond the bounds of any strict definition. In other words, if a composer calls a piece a 'symphony', then it's a symphony - end of story. Personally, I don't find this very helpful, but who am I to object?
#2
Composers & Music / Re: Symphonies with solo voice
Last post by Rainolf - Today at 12:45
Hermann Zilcher's 5th Symphony ends with a variation movement, the last part of which includes a soprano solo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKPf05CV8fM

Werner Trenkner's 1st Symphony has a middle movement with soprano solo on verses by Mörike. The outer movements are purely instrumental.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe6i3GIuDgQ
#3
No. Apparently this a production by 'Erlesene Oper' (='Select Opera') in Halfing, Bavaria (Germany). I'd never heard of them:
http://erlesene-oper.de/
#4
Yes it is performed rather poorly with thin strings. Are you familiar with the orchestra?
#5
I've had a quick listen and I'm pretty horrified at what I can hear. This sounds rather provincial.
#6
Forthcoming May 3rd on Sterling:

La Part du Diable (1843)
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9612880--auber-la-part-du-diable

#7
A number of young composers have dedicated their First Symphony to their musical hero, and some have achieved a fair measure of success in so doing. Nils Gade's First followed on from his Echoes of Ossian overture in telling a story of innocence and derring-do,as a tribute to Mendelssohn. Charles Ives composed a hauntingly beautiful homage to Dvorak on the occasion of the latter's return from America in the slow movement of his First.

Scherber falls into this category of success. Taking,I believe, Bruckner's Ninth as a starting-point, he has distilled his admiration into 30 minutes of loving respect. Maestro adriano has brought Scherber's First to life with palladian limpidity and we are greatly in his debt. This is a must-buy for me!
#8
Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Eduard Franck 1817-1893
Last post by Alan Howe - Yesterday at 11:58
May I also remind friends of this excellent extended article on Franck at MusicWeb?>>>
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2018/Mar/FranckE_article.pdf
#9
Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Eduard Franck 1817-1893
Last post by Alan Howe - Wednesday 27 March 2024, 22:48
I have ordered this book in order to try and find out more information:
'Die Komponisten Eduard und Richard Franck - Leben und Werk, Dokumente, Quellen'
('The Composers Eduard and Richard Franck - Life and Work, Documents, Sources')
https://www.booklooker.de/app/detail.php?aktionID=34577198&setMediaType=0
#10
Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Eduard Franck 1817-1893
Last post by Alan Howe - Wednesday 27 March 2024, 21:45
No idea, unfortunately. The three 'lost' symphonies are:
Symphony in A minor (1846)
Symphony in G minor (1852/1856)
Symphony in B flat (1858) - not B major
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduard_Franck#Orchesterwerke_und_Konzerte

IMSLP's listing does give interesting composition dates for the two extant symphonies, however:
Symphony in A, Op.47: 1860?
Symphony in B flat, Op.52: 1856
https://imslp.org/wiki/List_of_works_by_Eduard_Franck

This positions them both in the so-called Dahlhaus Gap, between Schumann 4 and Brahms 1.