Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Justin on Friday 01 March 2024, 03:57

Title: Ebenezer Prout - Clarinet Concerto
Post by: Justin on Friday 01 March 2024, 03:57
Found on YouTube a performance of Prout's Clarinet Concerto performed by the Greenwich Chamber Orchestra with David Cutts conducting and Peter Cigleris on the clarinet. According to the video, it is a world premiere performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIETCwZdYxY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIETCwZdYxY)

Similar to Prout's fourth symphony which I posted in higher quality here a couple months ago, the concerto sounds like it was written in a late classical or early romantic style. I recommend that everyone reads the description of the video as it gives an interesting story on how the work was discovered.
Title: Re: Ebenezer Prout - Clarinet Concerto
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 01 March 2024, 20:22
I'm sorry to say that the story behind the work is more interesting than the work itself. I'm still waiting for something by Prout that's really worth a modern performance.
Title: Re: Ebenezer Prout - Clarinet Concerto
Post by: Mark Thomas on Saturday 02 March 2024, 15:41
This is very thin stuff, I'm afraid. It's not downright bad, just devoid of any substance. That Prout didn't include it in his oeuvre and referred to "some rubbish perpetrated" says it all, I think.
Title: Re: Ebenezer Prout - Clarinet Concerto
Post by: Justin on Saturday 02 March 2024, 21:01
Concur. It's one of those works you listen to out of curiosity to see what was lost to history, then realize exactly why it was lost. Doesn't hurt as background music.
Title: Re: Ebenezer Prout - Clarinet Concerto
Post by: Alan Howe on Saturday 02 March 2024, 22:32
I still hold out hope that something worthwhile will emerge from Prout's oeuvre.
Title: Re: Ebenezer Prout - Clarinet Concerto
Post by: Justin on Sunday 03 March 2024, 02:15
Quote from: Alan Howe on Saturday 02 March 2024, 22:32I still hold out hope that something worthwhile will emerge from Prout's oeuvre.

Off topic from the concerto, but I want to reply directly to your message, Alan. Do you like his 4th symphony? I find it the most memorable of his works.
Title: Re: Ebenezer Prout - Clarinet Concerto
Post by: Alan Howe on Sunday 03 March 2024, 09:43
I like it, but that's a pretty feeble 'like it', I'm afraid. Again, I just don't rate it.