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Topics - semloh

#1
Composers & Music / Mihály MOSONYI
Friday 15 December 2023, 12:20
Over the last week or so I have been enjoying the music of Mihály Mosonyi (1815-1870). I was surprised to find that although his music clearly falls into UC's remit he has been mentioned only occasionally, mostly some years ago. I had assumed that his rather charming Piano Concerto was one of the Hyperion RPCs, but all I could find are the old Vox and Marco Polo recordings. The Marco Polo series of recordings of his piano music is likewise 23-30 years old. The Hungaroton version of his excellent String Sextet is from 2004; the String Quartets, and three Masses along with shorter vocal works, appeared some 15 years ago (although the actual recording dates are hard to pin down). A selection of piano pieces appeared on a Da Vinci disc in 2022 and is a delight, provided you're not expecting anything demanding.

That's just my take from visiting the usual music retail websites.

It's perhaps not 'great' music, compared to that of some of his contemporaries, but much of it is engaging and enjoyable. Perhaps it's Mosonyi's insistence on trying to create a distinctively Hungarian style that has led to this neglect. I don't know, but I do feel it is time for some fresh recordings! Does anyone else on UC share this view?
#2
Composers & Music / The Future of BIS
Saturday 09 September 2023, 07:59
I see that the Swsedish label BIS has been purchased by Apple. I wonder what this will mean for the current and future catalogue in terms of both content and formats, and in particular, of course, in relation to the less familiar repertoire. Losing Hyperion, and BIS so soon afterwards, might suggest a trend, and I can't work out whether our range of choices is broadening or narrowing. Any thoughts?
#3
After posting this request in the wrong thread, herewith in a new one!

It relates to the works uploaded by Mark on March 21st, (https://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,8656.0.html)

This is a very fine symphony and I've really enjoyed re-visiting it (so too the violin concerto), but please could someone give me even a general idea as to what the soprano is singing about in the 3rd movement?
#4
Recordings & Broadcasts / Goldmark - Ein Wintermärchen
Monday 06 December 2021, 00:10
Thank you for Goldmark's charming Ein Wintermärchen, Colin. That Overture is so lush and inviting!

Just checking on YT, I see there's a full performance featuring the HungarianRSO at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjpHSSNdJck; and, of course, there's the version you posted earlier at https://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,7957.msg83357.html#msg83357

I see, too, that it was performed only a couple of weeks ago, sans staging, by Wexford Festival Opera (https://bachtrack.com/review-goldmark-ein-wintermarchen-fritz-gordeladze-thorpe-wexford-festival-october-2021).

A full score/libretto is available at: https://archive.org/details/einwintermrche00gold/page/6/mode/2up
#5
Composers & Music / Ida Haendel
Thursday 02 July 2020, 12:12
I hope my fellow moderators will forgive a brief digression from our remit!

I just had to note the passing of the wonderful Ida Haendel, aged in her 90s. She will be remembered by some of us oldies as a popular virtuoso performer of the standard violin repertoire and a regular at the Proms. Like Dame Vera Lynn, she was also a wartime performer, generous with her talent, and much loved. She lived a long life, devoted to music and musicians, and worthy of a moment's remembrance...
#6
Composers & Music / NÁPRAVNÍK - Mazurka for Orchestra
Thursday 14 February 2019, 04:27
Christopher, thank you for uploading this little bon-bon! I've yet to hear a piece by Napravnik that I didn't enjoy, and suspect I never will!  ;)
#7
Composers & Music / Best discovery for 2018
Thursday 13 December 2018, 11:56
At least once in the past we had a thread at the end of the year inviting people to say what their best musical discovery has been during the year that falls within UC's remit. So, I thought I'd try it again now. BUT you must give some reason or justification for your choice. We don't simply want a thread that becomes a list of works, and so posts that give no reasons are likely to be deleted.

I'll choose the symphonic music of the Flemish composer Jef Van Hoof, on the Phaedra label, which includes his 2nd and 3rd symphonies. His music is unequivocally in a 19thC romantic style although written in the 20thC. Eric and others mentioned his music years ago on UC but I can't recall ever really listening to it until this year. The reason for my choice is that his music is melodious without being trivial, and there's a suspicion of a carefully designed and disguised 'subtext', often articulated through parody. I like the way that he creates and resolves tensions, never letting them become oppressive (especially noticeable in his 'retro' Brahmsian 3rd symphony) but rather using them to propel the music forward. His inventiveness holds the attention just long enough! It is hard to believe that he wrote the symphonies during World War 2 - there is little sign of the pain that he must have felt in the face of the suffering around him - again one looks for the subtext. The songs that appear on the Sym.3 disc are beautiful and sung with passion, and the orchestral suite from an opera is enchanting.

I may be considered 'cheating' by naming whole discs, so I'll pick out the 2nd symphony as my personal find of the year, for the reasons above.  :)
#8
Recordings & Broadcasts / Křička & Novak
Friday 30 November 2018, 02:19
Thanks to JP for the downloads and related information. Anything by Novak is welcome in my book, and the overture by Křička is a delight. I can't find much about him on the web. The download suggests we are missing out on some beautiful music - does anyone know if there are or have been commercial recordings of these works?
#9
Recordings & Broadcasts / Artur Kapp - Job
Thursday 21 June 2018, 07:33
Thank you to Christopher for the lovely piece by Artur Kapp, from his Oratorio Job. Heaven knows what function it serves in such a work, but it certainly is sweet on the ears!
#10
Composers & Music / Gennady Rozhdestvensky R.I.P.
Monday 18 June 2018, 10:00
So sad to hear of the death today of the great Gennady Rozhdestvensky. His wonderful, polished conducting introduced me to so many works over the years, not least the Shostakovich symphonies. R.I.P.
#11
Just a 'heads-up' for this website - http://www.clofo.com/ -  which reviews CD releases of unfamiliar music, a lot of which falls into UC's ambit. I am sure members will find it useful.
#12
Composers & Music / Agnès Tyrrell
Tuesday 01 May 2018, 05:52
Mark, thank you for uploading the Overture from Tyrrell's oratorio Die Könige in Israel. It's a sparkling piece, and  reminds me of Saint-Saens' 3rd symphony - I kept thinking the organ was about to make its entrance!

Sadly, she died aged 35 - but I can't find out what was the cause.

She doesn't appear in any of the usual historical dictionaries and biographies, but she does appear in The New Grove Dictionary of Women Composers , which reads:
(b Brno, 20 Sept 1846; d Brno, 18 April 1883). Moravian composer and pianist of English origin. She was the daughter of Henry Tyrrell, an English language-teacher who had established himself among the German-speaking community in Brno. She studied the piano at the Vienna Conservatory (1862) and composition with Otto Ritzler, the director of the Brno Musikverein. Her frail health prevented an active career as a pianist, though she gave some concerts; instead she devoted herself to composition, encouraged by Count Haugwitz of Náměšť, whom she visited in 1867, and Liszt, who in 1874 praised her piano studies, suggesting some alternative fingerings. These and other piano pieces were published in Vienna; she also wrote songs (some to English texts), choruses, an opera and some orchestral music. Her most adventurous compositions are her choruses, though her piano pieces show Liszt's influence, a rare occurrence in 19th-century Moravia.

The entry is attributed to 'John Tyrell'.

#13
Composers & Music / Sir Jeffrey Tate
Saturday 03 June 2017, 01:24
Although perhaps not associated with UCs, we should note the death of Sir Jeffrey Tate overnight. His achievements are a testament to his strength  of character, overcoming a lifelong infirmity. As many on UC will know, he was, in turn, conductor of the ROHCG, ECO and Hamburg SO, and he will be sadly missed.
#14
Composers & Music / Sir Neville Marriner
Sunday 02 October 2016, 23:09
RIP Sir Neville Marriner, who died last night, aged 92. What a marvellous musical legacy this lovely man leaves us.  :'(
#15
Recordings & Broadcasts / Louise Farrenc
Tuesday 13 September 2016, 23:30
Louise Farrenc is currently the 'Composer of the Week' on the ABC classical station.
Good to see an Unsung Composer being promoted.
#16
Composers & Music / Unsung BUSONI
Saturday 20 June 2015, 05:59
In 1890 Busoni won the Anton Rubinstein Competition with his Concert Piece for Piano & Orchestra, Op.31a, which one must assume is a significant composition, and represented an important milestone in Busoni's career, yet it appears to have been quite neglected. It doesn't feature on my Chandos Busoni discs, and I think may be currently available only on a Claves CD otherwise devoted to our friend Raff. As I already have the Raff, I was wondering if anyone knows of other recordings, or can point me to a version on-line that can be purchased or legally shared. I have a version on cassette, somewhere(! ::)), which I will upload when I can find it, and if I can establish that it is non-commercial.

Perhaps someone who is familiar with this work, would share their thoughts about it. Is there any obvious reason for its neglect? Thanks.
#17
Recordings & Broadcasts / Dutton-Vocalion sale
Wednesday 18 February 2015, 23:48
Members who are not regular customers of Dutton-Vocalion may like to know that they currently have a massive sale of their CDs. The classical section is strong on early 20thC British composers. There's 20 pages of sale items, beginning at:
http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/products.asp?cat=379&pg=1
...but most of the classical items appear in the last five pages.
#18
Composers & Music / JADASSOHN Symphony No.4 in C minor
Monday 01 December 2014, 20:53
Many thanks to vicharris for uploading this beautiful symphony!

An incomplete version exists on YT, but here we finally have a complete performance by a top rate orchestra. Its engaging melodies and sprightly dynamics have got my day off to a splendid start. There are so many musical ideas packed into the work, and - for me at least - it is going to withstand/reward repeated listening!  So, thank you again. ;)
#19
Composers & Music / Dutton Sale this weekend
Friday 26 September 2014, 13:50
Just a short 'heads up' for the Dutton sale, which has 50% off over this weekend which should interest UC members. There are dozens of amazing bargains to be had, including lots of late-romantic and other music - Holbrooke, Ireland, Montague Phillips, Arnell, Boughton, Bowen, etc, etc. If you don't live in the UK, the postage may normally be a bit prohibitive, but a 50% reduction offsets that nicely.  The CD of the Frederic Austin symphony and overtures looks like an unmissable bargain! ;)

http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/products.asp?cat=379
#20
Composers & Music / Kempff Totentanz
Sunday 14 September 2014, 12:15
Thanks to Semi.Serio again - this time for the Totentanz by Kempff.

With respect to our Administrators, I must say that I don't think it qualifies as 'romantic', even though there is hardly a musical style that doesn't rear its head somewhere along the line.  That said, I have actually enjoyed listening to it in a perverse sort of way: it's quite crazy, and hard to imagine that it was composed by Wilhelm Kempff, of all people!

I am interested to know how others have reacted.....