Our friend Darrel Hoffman has posted his MIDI realisation of this work here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fma4mGkFT_s
This is a good opportunity to get an idea of the music, for which we must be grateful. However, I personally find it trying to listen to and wish that a better realisation could have been made with a more sophisticated computer program.
Well done to him for making the effort!
However, it's more than "trying" to listen to isn't it.
If he used Musescore (which I suspect he did) there are far better "sound fonts" available than the bog standard issue that come with the editing software.
If I can find them I will put a link.
Thanks, that's very helpful. You're the expert, after all!
If you can get through it, the realisation shows what a fine and beautiful work this could be and, IMHO (one I have long held), deserving of a good professional recording with a real orchestra and soloist. We must be grateful for Mr Hoffman's efforts in producing this realisation, but the primitive sound fonts make it, as Alan says, a rather "trying" listen.
I'm afraid it's tried my patience beyond endurance. It's good to hear that Gareth thinks it's worth taking further, though.
I sympathise, Alan. I nearly gave up altogether. Some of the sounds are unbelievable - there's a trill on the bassoon at one point which sounds like someone beating a tom-tom with a toothbrush! And the flutes resemble a harmonium stop - and that's being kind. I hope it doesn't put people off.
It sounds like a cross between a barrel-organ and a squeezebox. Truly awful.
Quote from: Alan Howe on Monday 08 April 2024, 20:42It sounds like a cross between a barrel-organ and a squeezebox. Truly awful.
That is unfair to barrel-organs and accordions! ;D
But the piece itself is worthy, and I think Major is a truly undeservedly unsung composer.
Yes, that's the main take-away.
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Monday 08 April 2024, 22:27.... I think Major is a truly undeservedly unsung composer.
What evidence do we have to support that view, Gareth?
That is my opinion, based on the scores of his which I have managed to see so far. The Hungarian State Library digitised the ms. 2nd piano concerto for me, I have a photocopy of the printed Piano Sonata, and I have seen the scores at the BL (the Symphonie hongroise, Op. 17; Serenade for strings, Op. 24 and Cello concerto, Op. 44).
...and I for one trust your judgment, Gareth. I think there's an important gap in Hungarian musical history, i.e. between the generation of Liszt and that of Dohnanyi. We've already (partially) redicovered Beliczay and Moor is a work in progress, but I think that Major and Mihalovich are two worthy composers that have fallen through the musicological net.
Perhaps there are others whom I've forgotten...
As regards Mihalovich I don't think there is much to take in. The orchestral works are poor immitations of Listz as far as I can see after a bit of research. (And Liszt's orchestral stuff is poor to start with) Sorry!
Major might be a diferent case as he belongs to a different era of course. I have his Symphonie Hongroise (No2) op17 (1898) from the BL and it looks promising. We will see.
I have one CD of Mihalovich's songs, which I rather like. There are also four symphonies; no.1 is at IMSLP - these are what interest me. However, Major may well be the more attractive proposition, I agree.
Of course, most of Mihalovich's music remains in ms and available at best through a Hungarian library. I respectfully disagree regarding Liszt's music- my opinion is as opposite as my "opinion" of the spelling of his family name as he wrote it.
It's been put right, Eric.
My own feelings towards Liszt are rather mixed: I think his symphonic poems are a fusion of sublimity, excitement and banality - probably about right for the experimental form that they represent. However - and it's an important 'however' - I firmly believe that his Faust Symphony is a blazing masterpiece: every bar of it grips me, and I think it's significant that many good-to-great conductors have recorded it - e.g. Beecham, Bernstein (twice), Solti, Barenboim, Sinopoli, Masur, Ansermet, Fischer (Ivan), Muti, Chailly, Thielemann, Rattle, Noseda, Dorati, d'Avalos, Dausgaard, Conlon, Inbal - and probably others I've forgotten. In other words, far more conductors than those who have conducted just the odd symphonic poem or two.
So, to return to Mihalovich and Major, I'm hoping that some of their symphonies/concertos might turn out to be worth reviving. Mihalovich wrote four symphonies; Major wrote six symphonies, two further PCs, one VC and one Cello Concerto!
For Major's works list, follow this link:
https://imslp.org/wiki/List_of_works_by_Gyula_Major
There are also the 3 Concert Fantasies Op. 63 for piano & orchestra, mss. of which are in the Szechenyi Library.
I'm not sure that the E major PC without opus number is complete. Szechenyi never replied to my enquiry about that which, admittedly, I sent during the COVID outbreak.
I too trust your judgement, Gareth. I am sure many people would simply hear that Youtube piece and dismiss him. Clearly, that would be a mistake.