Messages

Dutton has a very interesting disc on their website now - Benjamin Godard's Violin Concerto, Op. 29 - way before his Op. 35 & 131. Orchestrated by Martin Yates

Also in the disc -
En plein air: Suite de cinq morceaux for violin and orchestra, Op. 145
Scènes écossaises for oboe and orchestra, Op. 138
Suite de trois morceaux for flute and orchestra, Op. 116
Trois morceaux for orchestra, Op. 27
https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7399

The video seems to have been taken down.

I totally agree with Alan and Gareth. If you want to, go ahead, but what you are attempting is what the diabolical and often spot-on David Hurwitz refers to in his videos as "the best version of the #th Symphony that Bruckner never wrote". I'd rather listen to Gerd's Symphony No. 1 [if it pays homage to Beethoven's 9th, so be it]. I apologize if I come across as too negative. Whatever you decide to do, I will be happy to listen to it.

Dave Hurwitz gives a stunning review of Raff's Piano concerto - Played by Peter Aronsky (piano)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Fimf-nzLw

Has his piano concerto survived?

Wonderful selection. I'm happy to see that the Piano Concerto (Fabienne Romer) & Cello Concerto No. 1 (Johannes Moser) are slated to be performed, but why just the 1st movement of Fruhlingsklange. Happily Lenore & Symphony no. 10 seems to be offered as a whole. 

Having recently acquired this CD, I find the Scharwenka a very solid and well composed concerto. I agree the 1st movement isn't as inspired as the heavenly 2nd and the marvelous 3rd; I still find myself returning to the 1st movement quite often. Very enjoyable. The Lassen, on the first listen didn't make much impression and I kind of agreed with Jeremy Nicholas's summation of "wishy-washy themes", but I find that this is a piece that benefits from repeated listening. In fact each time I hear this I find myself more in awe of the sheer beauty and strange and fascinating melodic turns. This is a discovery. As for the Langgaard, I'm charmed! A truly splendid release by Hyperion. Now only if they'd hurry up and do more romantic (and forgotten violin concertos)... how about the Litolff?!!

I believe he has plans to play the 2nd cello Concerto sometime next year. A recording of both these would be very welcome, however beautiful the Daniel Muller-Schott's Tudor Version is.

Is there any way another complete cycle of Raff Symphonies might come out? Surely CPO or Hyperion must see the potential for doing a cycle with a conductor who is sympathetic to Raff's music. Järvi's incomplete set just screams out for completion as does the Rufinatscha symphony cycle, but as Alan says, that's the topic for another post.

I agree with Alan. No. 3 is perhaps the greatest of his earlier Symphonies; but there's something to be said about the Seasons cycle. I can't choose between anyone of them. All of them have something facsinating to offer. Winter, initially was an ugly duckling for me but now, it's something I go back to quite often. 

Anything by Reznicek is worthwhile. There's a certain benchmark beyond which, this composer never falls. Very personal opinions of course 

"...merged Indian music and lore with Western concert forms – today, a controversial practice" Why Controversial?

Has anyone seen the manuscript... What's the standard of the music in general? The piano concerto for example?

As much of a troll that he is, he often makes a lot of sense. Did anyone watch the latest? Beethoven in Cristofori's Bathroom. Hilarious and relevant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiTmAM_81Nw 

Concert - 19th Nov, 2021. Tonhalle St. Gallen, Switzerland

Reinecke - Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 72
Simon Callaghan (piano), Sinfonieorchester St Gallen, Modestas Pitrenas

This follows his recordings of Reinecke's Piano Concertos 1, 2 & 4 with the same forces [15th Nov - 19th Nov]. I'm so looking forward to this volume. Anyone have a clue as to what is next in RPC pipeline?