Hugo Kaun: Symphony No. 2 & Sir John Falstaff

[Tapiola]

More CPO enticing releases. Available from March 26th on:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9845363--hugo-kaun-symphony-no-2-op-85-sir-john-falstaff-op-60

I had thought they were done with his Symphony No. 3 et al, but glad I was wrong.

[Ilja]

Oh, this is delectable. Kaun's 3rd is among my favorite early-20th century German symphonies (in a minority, I know) and I've always been curious about this one. The samples certainly sound very promising. Fallstaff we know from a somewhat rough recording by the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie with Klaus Bernbacher. That one didn't leave much of an impression, but this obviously sounds much better and I can't wait to give the piece a second chance.

[Tapiola]

I have yet to hear that third symphony along with the tone poems included on that CPO recording. Looking forward to both discs.

[tuatara442442]

I'm looking forward to it, having listened to Martin's simulation of the enticing slow movement of the second symphony. The more so since the prospect of a recording of the first symphony is nearer. The first is one of my major symphonic discoveries last year, although only through MusicaObscuram's simulation.

[Ilja]

I think given cpo's modus operandi sofar, under normal circumstances a release of the first symphony at some point in the future is a certainty.

[tuatara442442]

This has also been released today

[Tapiola]

I liked how the narrative unfolded on Sir John Falstaff. I was engaged from start to finish. Some parts reminded me of Dukas's L'Apprenti Sorcier. A colourful score that can grow on the listener. The Symphony No. 2 didn't disappoint either, except for the meandering 2nd movement which I felt too unfocused and going nowhere. Its hazy atmosphere kind of works, but it is just too much of the same. Anyway, a very welcome release. I hope CPO will record his symphony Nr. 1 at some point.

[Ilja]

To be honest, I love the thing from back to front, perhaps even more than No. 3. It's certainly not the kind of music where you walk away humming the tunes, but it's immensely atmospheric and holds together very well as a cogent whole. I couldn't believe it had actually been over forty minutes by the time we came to the glorious end. Repeatedly I was reminded of parts that sounded like movie music - not the sweeping scores kind, but more the little themes that build up moods for certain scenes: a dark alley, someone entering a room, that sort of thing. For instance, listen to the opening of the fourth movement.

I am certain we can look forward to No. 1, which seems to have something of a cult status akin to the Berger 2nd.

Edit: Forgot to confirm Tapiola's observation about Sir John Falstaff, which attains a life it failed to in the old Bernbacher recording.