Messages

It's a very fine disc of some striking late-Romantic music in the mould of Rachmaninov. Hyperion should have done these - they'd have been onto a winnner.

The composer's name is ERNST Boehe, as far as I can see. (I've duly altered the subject of this thread.)

And both cpo CDs are a lovely wallow - but I can't remember anything of the music after hearing it. Gorgeous, but unmemorable.

Not at those prices!!!

Hi Mark,

I know that you have been plundering the catalogue of recordings of unsung music made by pianist John Kersey...

http://rdr.johnkersey.org/cd41.html

I wonder if you could let us know what you believe to be the most worthwhile of his releases? Thanks!

What an interesting story. I'm sure we are all grateful to you, Gareth, for your advocacy.

Sorry, Peter, I forgot to reply!

I'm afraid I have no info at all about the possibility of Becker's VC1 being recorded. Although I sent the score to a well-known violinist with the permission of the label associated with this particular person, I have unfortunately had no reply. Not a sausage.

Your team, including yourself of course, Gareth, are to be  congratulated on a thoroughly professional production which shows Holbrooke's music in the best possible light. The CD undoubtedly deserves to be a hit.

The programme for the summer's concerts in Stams is available here...

http://www.musikland-tirol.at/downloads/konzertprogramm2009a5.pdf

[Ouverture dramatique]

By Rufinatscha:

These are the details, Gareth:

1. Ouverture dramatique, Wien 1878
2. Konzert für Klavier und Orchester, g-Moll, Wien um 1850 (Allegro - Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro con brio)
3. Ouvertüre zu Die Braut von Messina
(Drama von Friedrich Schiller, 1803), Wien 1850

Schumann's PC is also on the programme...

Thank you, John. Very helpful as always.

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!