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BTW, wasn't there a lady a few decades ago who wrote down works which dead composers 'dictated' her from beyond? So I think we should try to find such a medium and ask her if she could coax our favourite composers to stream a few masterworks via the aether. 

This lady was criticised because she could offer only small piano pieces. If Bruckner cared to give us further samples of his genius wouldn't he choose something more spectacular? Finishing his 9th symphony perhaps?

Her name was Rosemary Brown and I once had the pleasure of meeting her.  Without saying that she was definitely not a fake, she went a long way to convincing such people as Richard Rodney Bennett, Hephzibah Menuhin, Ian Parrott, Humphrey Searle and Peter Katin.  There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio...

I've just had an email from Em Marshall (guiding light of the English Music Festival) which announces that they are inviting music lovers to subscribe to their eleventh EM Records disc, of Violin Sonatas by Gurney & Elgar.  The description continues, "The 2011 Festival featured the World Première performance of an exciting new chamber work: the Sonata in E-flat major for Violin and Piano by Ivor Gurney. Dating from 1919, this work has shattering emotional intensity and heart-rending expressiveness..."  The link is http://www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk/emrecords/subscribe.html It sounds to me a most worthwhile enterprise.

This new release from Nimbus looks interesting http://www.wyastone.co.uk/james-friskin-piano-quintet-phantasie-for-string-quartet-elegy-for-viola-and-piano-and-phantasy-piano-quintet.html.  Is anyone familiar with Friskin's output and its style? I confess to complete ignorance.   

The Wiklund CD has now appeared on Hyperion's website http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67828&vw=dc Lovely stuff played by the excellent Martin Sturfält.

I just noticed this violin and piano recital due for release on 12 December from Capriccio, ostensibly Robert Schumann but with some interesting 'extras', all first recordings, allegedly - Kirtchner's 'Romance und Schlummerlied' and the twelve 'Fantasy Pieces'; and Reinecke's E minor sonata op 116: http://www.capriccio.at/the-circle-of-robert-schumann-vol2

A music educator of my acquaintance is trying, unsuccessfully so far, to locate a copy of these songs -- does any colleague have a copy that might be scanned or photocopied?  I know there's a copy in the British Library but the cost of copying and postage would be prohibitive for her.  Thanks, everyone.