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No, Jim: it's 'fat chance', not second chance, I'm afraid.

I am in the process of a fairly major change of mind with regard to the quality of the music of Franz Lachner. What has spurred me on to explore him further is the 5th Symphony (on Marco Polo). This is a giant symphony (around an hour) which takes its time in a Schubertian manner and which clearly stands in line of descent from Schubert 9 and points forward to Bruckner (and Rufinatscha). I am also mightily impressed by the String Quartets available on the Amati label.

I know that John White has always been keen to promote Lachner (and his brothers): now I can confirm that I am a fully paid-up member of the fan club!

If only the other symphonies (apart from 1, 5 and 8 which Marco Polo have done) had been recorded. John: I believe you have a high opinion of No.6 - can you give us any hints as to its character at all?

The Omsk band is just plain duff and the recording glassy and mushy all at the same time. It's probably the worst modern commercial release I have ever heard, although I can think of some others that would run it close.

As Ilja pointed out, the problem is that, as far as other labels are concerned, the Bendix symphonies have been done. Trouble is, they've actually been mangled and no-one else is likely to put any money into re-doing them properly.

So, the lesson is this: if you're going to record something unusual, it'd better be good!! There's unlikely to be a second chance...

I can now confirm that Rufinatscha's Piano Concerto in G minor of 1850, until now only available in a recording of the version for two pianos, will be recorded in Stams, Austria in mid-July. The performers will be:

Michael Schöch (instrument: Hammerflügel by Conrad Graf, Vienna, ca. 1838, from the Music Collection of the Tiroler Landesmuseum, Ferdinandeum, Innsbruck)
Orchester der Akademie St. Blasius
Karlheinz Siessl (conductor)

Judging by other recordings made in July or August of previous years, this recording should be out around Christmas time. Watch this space!

This is a terrific disc, Gareth. I am not all that familiar with Holbrooke's music on CD, but I'm guessing that his music has never been performed with such commitment. What wonderful playing and what a clear and sonorous recording! My goodness, the orchestra - the Brandenburg State from Frankfurt (Oder) - sounds superb under Howard Griffiths! You just can't do this gorgeous late, late-Romantic stuff with a sub-standard orchestra and this is emphatically not the case here.

Overall, if you are a fan of, say, the Bantock series on Chandos, you'll love this! 

Draeseke's PC is definitely way over the top. But I find it memorable - and I just love the slow movement, epecially the gentle opening and close.

The Bendix set is truly sub-standard in its execution - both performances and recording - so caution is definitely in order for anyone intending to purchase it. However, I did actually buy the set and I agree that the music has real substance. But it's definitely a case of 'caveat emptor', lest anyone thinks that the set will give unalloyed pleasure...
In contrast, the Gernsheim set on Arte Nova is vastly superior in every respect. It's a shame - the Bendix symphonies deserved better.

The problem was that, for years, you couldn't avoid the Gorecki. Every time you turned on the radio in the car hoping for something to while away a car journey, there was this mournful, repetitive music. Dreadful. Anyway, it's not for me - but if it floats your musical boat, then far be it from me to criticise...

Hi Peter,

I'm sure we'd all to hear your thoughts on Rufinatscha in a new thread - when you have time.

The Gorecki was essentially a marketing phenomenon here in the UK: it was very successfully and almost single-handedly marketed by Classic FM. Remember, though, that this is the radio station which this morning described Beethoven's Coriolanus Overture as 'Corolliunus', or some such mispronunciation.

I agree: two must-buys from cpo. However, the Piano Quintet by Herzogenberg has already been done - on the EDA label, coupled with Brahms' Op.34.

I don't know that recording: I have Till Fellner on a very cheap Apex reissue (coupled with Schumann's Kreisleriana) which I recommend.

Reinecke No.3 had established itself as the great PC of that era - presumably until Brahms' PCs became the new standard. No.3 is the stand-out of Reinecke's four PCs - it has a breadth that is quite unlike the Mendelssohn-plus character of the other three. Of course, I like the others too.

Well, a bit like Grieg, I suppose. But not as interesting!

The symphonies (on 2 Simax CDs) are colourful, melodic and very enjoyable - just not particularly distinctive. Great fun, though - and well worth trying if you're into late-Romantic stuff with something of nationalistic feel.