Messages

One of my favorite reasons for visiting Unsung Composers is the fact that it is an excellent source for information about new and obscure recordings. As someone who compiles discographies of symphonies, it is great to have all these "extra eyes" out there to let me know about new recordings that will go into my work. Today, for example, Alan's post about the Rufinatscha Serenade has informed me about the existence of a contemporary Austrian composer whom I never heard of, Michael F.P. Huber (b. 1971), whose Symphony No. 2 accompanies the Rufnatscha. So, now I have a new composer and Symphony to document. Thanks Alan.

Mike

Could this be the start of a Godard revival? This composer,  known mostly for the Berceuse from his opera "Jocelyn," had quite an output. Among his other colorful orchestral works are the following Symphonies: Symphonie Dramatique for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra, Op.39 "Le Tasse" (Tasso) (1878), Symphony (1880), Symphonie-Ballet, Op. 60 (1882), Symphonie Gothique, Op. 23 (1883) and Symphonie Légendaire, Op. 100 (1886). Perhaps some of these will see the light of recordings one day?

Thanks guys for the nice words about my Discographies. I have been doing this work as I wanted to give back something useful to a wonderful hobby that has given me such great pleasure for close to fifty years. More Discographies are on the way (eventually!).

It is great that CPO is issuing all of Sinding's concertante violin works as only the Suite and Violin Concerto No. 1 have been recorded before. However, I would like at this point to put in a word for another unsung Norwgian composer, Halfdan Cleve (1879-1951). He composed 5 beautiful Piano Concertos of which only No. 4 in A minor has been commercially recorded (on Norsk Kulturad  LP NKF 30038) back in 1980. Having heard the other 4 Concertos on Norwegian Radio tapes, I am certain their rediscovery would be highly welcomed by all admirers of piano concertos and Scandinavian Romanticism. Are there any labels out there (e.g., CPO, Hyperion, Sterling, Chandos) ready for a new boon to collectors?

Ludovit Rajter was a Slovak while Dora Pejacevic was a Croatian. So they were countrymen only in the sense that they were both born in the Austro-Hungaian Empire. Nevertheless, congratulations to CPO for continuously unearthing forgotten composers.

Hi Jerfilm,
   Yes I am the same person. I gave up collecting rare broadcast tapes a numberof years ago as there was enough music by "unsung composers" coming out on CDs to satisfy my curiosity. Now my collecting need is satisfied by gathering information.  By the way, if you don't mind, what's your name beyond Jerry?

Many thanks Albion and Peterschott for your nice words about my discographies. At the moment I am working on a new discography covering German and Austrian Symphonies from the 19th century forward (excluding the biggest names (Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Bruckner and Mahler). Then I hope to complete this series with American Symphonies and Asian Symphonies. Always looking for more sources of information.

Michael Herman

I am pleased that Albion utilized my reference  to Frank Merrick's Piano Concertos. I just wish he had mentioned the source. Here it is: British and Commonwealth Concertos - A Discography of CDs and LPs http://www.musicweb-international.com/British_Symphonies_on_CD/British_symphonies_on_CD_page1.htm. It is part of a series of Discographies that appears on the MusicWebInternational website. The general URL for the series is: http://www.musicweb-international.com/herman_discogs.htm. Please take a look if you haven't done so already. I am always looking for more "eyes" to spot omissions or errors.