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I wonder what other members' thoughts are on Chaminade's large scale one act ballet. Although in the form of Ballet there are certain rules about vignettes and variations, with a couple of exceptions I was surprised at how through composed this work feels. Chaminade had an ear for a good melody, as we know from her huge amount of piano pieces, and Callirhoe is full of lovely tunes, but it is certainly much more than a bunch of little salon pieces. The opening melody is haunting and sets the mood beautifully for the musical development to come. There are long sections of what must be "plot" music and Chaminade was totally able to ring the maximum amount from these sections. The little scherzo after the introduction is scored with total mastery as is much of the ballet. The final Valse nods in the direction of Tchaikovsky but still remains its French heritage. There is so much to enjoy in this piece and I found that I stopped noticing that it was a ballet score until it reaches the second part, it feels that symphonic. I wonder if Dutton could be persuaded to look at the choral symphony? For me this was well worth hearing, I wonder what others feel. I also thought that this performance of the Konzertstuck was fabulously opulent, with the pianist Victor Sangiorgio being completely in tune with the style and the lightness required. He didn't try to make more out the piece than it can take like others have done. A great addition to the Chaminade picture.

Has anyone noticed the English Music Festival programme for this year yet? I just saw it and the opening concert has the Montague Phillips Symphony in C minor. I know that the full score has been missing since around the First World War, and Philips re worked the two middle movements into separate tone poems, but this looks like it could be a "find". As Martin Yates is conducting I presume he may have been responsible for putting the symphony back together, maybe from orchestra parts. I believe Phillips is thought of as a bit of a light music composer but whatever his reputation nowadays,  this symphony is supposed to be substantial. Could be interesting. The concert also includes a previously unplayed Stanford Overture. That should also be of interest to us and presumably the concert will be broadcast by Radio Three as they usually are.

Did anyone catch the Composer of the Week today?
The Martin Yates realisation of the George Butterworth Fantasia was on at the end. Terribly moving and such a beautiful piece.

At last, Widor has made composer of the week. Well worth hearing and to have such a great amount of his music to listen to now that we have the three Dutton discs to be able to evaluate the orchestral music and the concertos. What a fantastic piece the Cello concerto is. I liked it when I first heard it but listening to it again today made me realise that it is quite special and is definitely one of the works that was well worth rescuing and should never have gone into total obscurity.

I've just heard from a friend in the RSNO that they spent the last few days recording the Bortkiewicz Violin Concerto and Othello with Martin Yates. Presumably this is for Dutton Epoch. My friend said it sounded fantastic and that the Russian soloist in the concerto was sensational. Hopefully if it is Dutton they will turn it around quickly and get it out for all of us Bortkiewicz fans!

Has anybody else noticed this new release from Dutton? A completion of the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto in E......and Balakirev orchestration of Chopin E minor.....sounds interesting. Does anyone have a brief history of either? I don't know the overture they have included either, but the whole disc looks like a well thought out package to me.

Anyone know anything about a rumour going around that the RSNO has recorded an orchestration of the Bax Symphony in F with Yates & Dutton?

I've heard that the BBCSO are in the studio next week with Martin Yates to record the Symphony, Piano Concerto and Flute Concerto by the wonderful French composer Damase. I haven't found out who the soloists are but if it is Yates then it will be almost definitely for Dutton. I can't wait. I am also worried...is Yates going to give up on British music? I hope not! Does anyone know anything about this Damase recording?

Does anyone have any news or information on the rumour that Martin Yates (he of Moeran Symphony 2 fame) has completed the early Scott Piano Concerto and is recording it soon? I presume it's for Dutton as he seems to be exclusive to them.