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Hello Richard

I for one would love to have the PC as it sounds particularly intriguing. Sounds like the sort of Eastern European music I would really enjoy!

Cheers
Dennis

Have listened to sound bites of this CD. Very much like what I heard. Placed my order immediately. Thanks UC.

I think I too have missed something, basing my opinion on Le Désert which I have had for a very long time and periodically come back to listen to. I only bought Le Désert for its orientalism as some members on this forum probably know that I love my classical music with a touch of orientalism! I have, however, never got to like Le Désert because it simply doesn't sound oriental, at least to me! You hit the nail on the head Alan when you speak of faux-orientalism. That said, I like the comments being made about the piano trios, so I will investigate and probably buy the CD/CDs.

I would love to have a commercial recording of Cornelis Dopper Symphony no 1 Diana. I already have the download of this symphony which can still be found in UC's Archive section. I would love to have even more Dopper's symphonies nos 4 & 5 - neither work appears to have ever been recorded for commercial release.

Have now listened to Rufinatscha's second symphony several times and enjoyed the listening experience. I was really looking forward to listening to this symphony, especially after having been blown away by symphony number 3! I was also eagerly expecting the finale to get my feet tapping! I was though a little disappointed as far as the finale was concerned. The finale is fun, has a strong rhythmic drive and is over all too quickly which is always a sure sign that the music is both enjoyable and engaging. Yet somehow, I expected a little more from the finale. Overall, I am very pleased to now have all 5 Rufinatscha's symphonies in my possession and am particularly pleased that this composer is being singled out so much recently on UC. He fully deserves to have his music become far better known. Coming back to symphony no 2, clearly symphonies 1 and 2 are relatively "lightweight" when compared to symphonies 3, 4 and 5 in the sense that they do not possess the drama, stature, gravitas of the later symphonies. On the other hand, it's refreshing to listen to symphony 2 (and also number 1) and not be overwhelmed by the "seriousness" that the later symphonies impart to the listener. By that, I am not saying that symphonies 1 and 2 are lesser works, just that they are different and offer the listener a different listening experience. In symphony number 2, I hear echoes of Schumann and Mendelssohn of course but in the opening movement I was reminded a little of Schubert's Great Symphony. Perhaps that's just me! Alan, an observation/question for you. I was a little surprised/disappointed with the German liner notes on this symphony. Manfred Schneider talks about the reception given to this symphony, a very full house, much well-earned applause etc. but only mentions descriptions of movements 2 and 3 i.e.  movement 2 - idyllic and heartfelt by the audience and movement 3 - recalling a courtly, aristocratic minuet with a slightly ironic sounding trio. No mention is made of either the opening or closing movements. Have I missed something? You are UC's expert on Rufinatscha and, because of your views on this symphony, I was expecting Schneider to go into a little more detail on all 4 of the symphony's movements, especially that finale! Any views? A final comment. I enjoy listenening to Symphony no 2 but now having listened again to all of Rufinatscha's symphonies in the last 2 weeks, my favourite is number 3 but it bothers me just a little bit that Symphony no 3 might more correctly be labelled "by Rufinatscha/Huber", even if Huber has been totally faithful to Rufinatscha's intentions? Perhaps this last comment should be inserted in the thread on Rufinatscha's Symphony no 3! Sorry!

Have been very taken with Cornelis Dopper's music. Would love to see a commercial recording of his Symphony no 1 as well as, of course, recordings of Symphonies 4 and 5.

Alan, you are a mine of information! I took note of your post in this thread (the very first post in fact) referring to the stupendous version of Dvořák's Symphony no 8/Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra/Manfred Honeck, so much so that I took the plunge and ordered it. I have been listening to the CD both yesterday and earlier today. I was hugely impressed by Honeck's new version of  this well-known work - so refreshing and exciting, full of vitalty and such a contrast to the more conservative/traditional takes on this symphony. It makes my versions of this work by Von Karajan/ VPO and Rowicki/LSO "almost" seem bland and insipid (even though the playing on both these versions is very fine it must be said!). The Honeck take is now my clear favourite! I was also very impressed by the liner notes written by Honeck himself, in which he points out where, exactly in the score, he applied his own thinking as to how the scoring/tempi should be interpreted! Many thanks Alan for alerting me to this recording.

I noticed when reading the many posts on this thread that you said, Alan, that you had forgotten about the PC and that it was a really fine piece! I too had forgotten about the PC, partly because I didn't rate it all that highly. Your comment made me get the CD out again and give the PC another listen. I was surprised to discover that the PC was much better than I had remembered - tuneful, nicely scored and an enjoyable listen! Another of those cases where a piece of music must be given time to breathe -give it a listen, wait some time, then come back to it. This is not the first time that I have changed my mind about a work I initially didn't care much for! There's a lesson to be learned there! Also, I had mentioned in a previous post in this thread that I had a number of CDs of Fuchs's music but I only mentioned Symphony no 1! I have since discovered that I also have the Thorofon CD of symphonies nos 1 and 2! In view of my latest experience with the PC I am going to give the symphonies another spin! Perhaps I will change my earlier opinion of these works as well? UC you have trained me well!

My copy of W. Niemann's piano music on Grand Piano has just arrived today - a nice New Year present! I will be listening to it in the next day or so and will of course report back to UC with my comments.

I am very pleased that some members have mentioned Fuchs's Serenades in this thread. My first encounters with Fuchs's music were via the Serenades. Initially I bought the  2 Naxos CDs of Serenades nos 1 - 5, which I loved and played constantly! I could easily understand why he was known as "Serenaden-Fuchs", due in part to the enormous popularity of Serenade no 1. This led me to purchase the disc coupling the PC with Serenade no 5. I was however slightly disappointed with the fifth serenade (I now had 2 versions of this work!) as I felt that it lacked the inspiration and musicality of the previous 4 serenades! I also purchased the Thorofon CD of his 3rd Symphony! I like Fuchs's music but have to confess that it's the Serenades 1 to 4 that I really love! Reading this thread reminds me to get out the serenades again and listen to them! It's been quite a while since I listened to them last!

I have listened several times to this symphony and earlier today listened to it again and jotted down my thoughts and feelings on each movement. Before passing on my comments, I would like to say the following. I already had three Rufi symphonies - symphonies 1 , 5 (now 4) and 6 (now 5) all purchased from Tiroler-Landesmuseen of course. I bought the CDs mainly because of the glowing praise these works received on UC!  Upon receiving the earlier CDs, I listened to the music but have to confess that initially I didn't "get" the music. Indeed, it took me several listens before I became familiar with the music and then become far fonder of this composer! With symphony no 3 however, from the very first time I listened to it, I was completely and utterly taken with the music! The opening movement grabbed my attention immediately and was really thrilling! My attention and enjoyment never waned through movements 2, 3 and 4, with its triumphant and totally satisfying conclusion. It is almost self-evident that IMHO this symphony is, of the 4 Rufi symphonies I have, my favourite!(and perhaps I might go so far as to say Rufinatscha's best symphony - I may have to revise my opinion however when my CD of Symphony no 2 turns up!) As I listened to this symphony again, I wrote down my comments and here they are. Movement 1 : grand, big dramatic opening , air of expectancy, a lot of tension, strong sense of forward propulsion, big climaxes, leading to a contrasting quiet conclusion. This movement grabbed me from the very first note and kept me enthralled through the entire movement! Movement 2 : very strong and enjoyable contrast to previous movement, hesitant, questioning, beautifully and delicately scored, less dramatic than movt 1 but still with moments of drama, passages of limpid beauty, some gorgeous writing for the strings, with an impressive conclusion, combining feelings of both hesitancy and delicacy. Movement 3 : a joyous, dance-like movement, delightfully scored, firstly with  slowing down of the music, then becoming more lyrical with almost a pastoral feel to the music, beautiful writing for the woodwinds (loved the flute trills!), then a more relaxed feel to the music before building up again and culminating with a very satisfying conclusion. Movement 4 : very dramatic opening, recalling the drama of the opening movement, draws the listener in immediately, the music then becomes calmer and more relaxed, although the drama is never far away, strongly insistent forward propulsion of the music takes over with a pronounced rhythmic drive combined with imaginative scoring, slowing down then followed by crescendos, with the music constantly developing and evolving all the while, moments of relaxation but always followed by high drama, leading to a triumphant conclusion! As is obvious by my comments, I am hugely impressed by this symphony. I can see why some members have stated that the opening and closing movements, both hugely dramatic, tend to bookend the 2 inner movements and for that reason tend to overshadow the 2 middle movements. This not my opinion however as I believe the 2 inner movements provide an effective, very satisfying foil to the opening and closing movements. As far as I am concerned, this is a marvellous, thrilling and hugely enjoyable symphony. If you don't already have it, buy it!!!!

In view of the positive comments made re- the Tschiderer symphonic poems CD, count me in too! Have just ordered the CD and at only 9 euros the CD, who can complain about the price? Pity though that there were no sound excerpts on the site. I always like to listen to sound bites before buying if possible. Brief excerpts don't always give one a true idea of the music's worth, but it's better than ordering blind. I look forward to receiving the CD soon. Tiroler-Landesmuseen do a good job of despatching the ordered CD/CDS quickly!

I have placed two orders with Tirol-Landesmuseen recently. I received no email confirmation for the first order but the CD arrived today (Rufinatscha Sym 3). For the second order (Rufinatscha Sym 2), I have received an email confirmation but the CD has not yet been despatched. The way they acknowledge orders is a bit hit and miss but they do send out the CDs so I am not worried if I don't get an email confirmation. I have previously ordered 6 CDs from them and I received them all - fairly quickly I might add.!There was no need to order Rufi Sym 1 as I already had it along with Symphonies 5 and 6 (old numbering). Very pleased that Rufinatscha is again getting a lot of attention on UC!

Have just listened again to the sound bites of this forthcoming release. I am quite impressed by what I have been listening to, especially Sonata no 1! I have a particular soft spot for romantic piano music! Have already placed my pre-order!!

I know this is a Mel Bonis thread but with an earlier digression re-Fauré chambre music. I am therefore making this post here with apologies for referring again to Fauré but this seems the obvious place to make this post today.

Alan, you are aware that following on from your recommendation that I buy the Brilliant Fauré chambre music 5CD box set, I placed my order on Amazon as per my earlier post in this thread. Unfortunately the box set I ordered, went missing in the post!!! I therefore re-ordered on a different Amazon seller and the re-ordered box set has just arrived today!

I am looking forward to listening to all 5 CDs and will do so in due course.

If I want to post my opinion on this set, should I create a new thread or is there already  an appropriate Fauré thread elsewhere on UC?

Cheers
Dennis