Messages

Litolff: Concerto Symphonique No. 4 - no question. It's a completely OTT entry for the soloist.

Chris Fifield, who is to conduct the Frederic Cliffe VC for Sterling, has been considering the Holbrooke VC "The Grasshopper" as a possible coupling. Another possibility is the VC by Frederic d'Erlanger. I'll try to find out from Chris if any decision has been made yet.

A big thank you, Mark, for all your hard work in getting the Raff site back up. We are all very much in your debt.

I agree that the Finale does not work. As soon as the chorus enters, the piano, which should be the star of the piece, is relegated to a supporting role. Raff avoids this trap in Die Tageszeiten - a truly remarkable piece. As it may shortly be recorded we shall all then be able to form our own opinions.
Allow me to add, however, that, appalling as the events of 7 July, 2005 were, they have about as much to do with the teachings of Mohammed as the excesses of the Spanish Inquisition had to do with the teachings of Christ. I can see no reason, therefore, to be offended by the words from "Aladdin" by Adam Oehlenschläger which Busoni sets.

Well, I don't know Ohlsson's performance, but Ogdon seems to have more of a line to it than Hamelin's (although I admire Hamelin's account). Ogdon is majestic and perhaps less "flashy" than Hamelin. It's difficult to be precise without getting them out and playing them 'side by side', as it were. I got to know the work in Ogdon's recording (on cassette), which, I think, was the only one available back in the 1970s, and it won me over completely. I loved it straightaway. I'm aware these comments are not particularly helpful, and maybe the work is just not for you... which, of course, I respect.

Have you tried John Ogdon, Mark.