New recording of Amy Beach Symphony plus some first recordings!

[Martin Eastick]

I know that the symphony has had at least three previous recordings, but this new one also includes what seem to be world premieres of some works for voice and orchestra! More than enough to persuade me to buy!
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/amy-beach-symphonie-e-moll-op-32-gaelic/hnum/12180196

[Alan Howe]

Yes, I'd spotted this too. A potentially fascinating release.

Here's soprano Camille Schoor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmYf-FuDZmU
and mezzo-soprano Angela Brower:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgesUjpnLbo

Should be good!! Thanks, Martin.

[FBerwald]

A very beautiful symphony. Here's a 2024 live performance of Beach's splendid piano concerto played by the pianist Anne-Marie McDermott

[Martin Eastick]

A most welcome reminder of her wonderful piano concerto - one of my all-time favourites - and a due prompt to have a long overdue listen!

[Alan Howe]

Beach's splendid piano concerto

It starts at 19:41!

[Alan Howe]

The CD has now been released. The performance of the Symphony is very sensitive, well worth the price of the disc if you don't have the work already. But the main interest from our point of view will surely be in the three voice + orchestra songs which are absolutely stunningly performed here. The idiom isn't especially individual, but the writing is very powerful - and moving.