Unsung Composers

The Music => Composers & Music => Topic started by: scarpia on Tuesday 18 October 2022, 20:17

Title: Léon Boëllmann
Post by: scarpia on Tuesday 18 October 2022, 20:17
I just heard his Variations Symphoniques for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 23 on youtube. Terrible sound quality though. Too bad. It could use a good modern recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty-bt8hiAoQ

His best-known composition is Suite gothique, which is a staple of the organ repertoire, especially its concluding Toccata. Is is? I don't know organ except Bach and Widor though.  Does that make him sung? Looks like there is a recording of it with the Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse on the Fuga Libera label.
Title: Re: Léon Boëllmann
Post by: Ilja on Tuesday 18 October 2022, 20:19
You might try this performance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYLbUw_hDsc), which is quite a bit better in terms of sound.
Title: Re: Léon Boëllmann
Post by: dmitterd on Wednesday 19 October 2022, 01:47
I can certainly vouch for the Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse recording (https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8917737--boellmann-symphonie-en-fa-majeur-variations-symphoniques-quatre-pieces-breves) - the playing is excellent, and the unexpected treat for me was Quatre pièces brèves. Readers may be interested to know that I've finally published my compilation of things Boëllmann, the main part of which is a parallel French/English version of a biography published in 1901. Also included are a few photos from the BnF collection, as well as a list of works. You can order it here (https://www.lulu.com/shop/paul-locard-and-daniel-mitterdorfer-and-harold-fabrikant-and-bruno-chaumet/l%C3%A9on-bo%C3%ABllmann-un-viea-life/hardcover/product-gem5yw.html?page=1&pageSize=4).

kind regards,
Daniel
Title: Re: Léon Boëllmann
Post by: scarpia on Friday 28 October 2022, 20:30
I just got the CD. I had amazon points to use. I will listen tonight.
Title: Re: Léon Boëllmann
Post by: dmitterd on Thursday 03 November 2022, 22:36
Quote from: scarpia on Friday 28 October 2022, 20:30I just got the CD. I had amazon points to use. I will listen tonight.

I'd be interested in your thoughts!