Henry Charles Litolff was born in Marylebone, London on February 6th 1818. His father Martin Louis L. was from Alsace and his mother Sophia Hayes, from Glasgow. There were eight children in the family. It is often written that he eloped to Gretna Green with the 16 year old Elisabeth Etherington 1. In fact he married her at St Alphege church in Greenwich, London in 1835. From 1861 he resided in Paris after passing his publishing business in Germany to his son. He died at Bois-Colombes which is now a suburb of Paris in 1891
He studied under Moscheles from 1831 and made his concert debut at The Covent Garden Theatre in July 1832
Below are listed some of his compositions: Dates given are when published
Overtures
This designation is correct though the publisher also referred to them as Symphinique Dramatique - Robespierre is 12 minutes long.
Maximilian Robespierre alternative title Le Denier Jour de la terreur. Op.55 1850 pub. by Richault
Dasi Welflied Von Gustav Von Mayern (Les Guelfes) Op.99 1856
Chante des Belges Op.101 1858
Die Girondisten Op.80 1870
King Lear 1891
Concertos Symphoniques for Piano and Orchestra
No.1 in D minor 1839 (lost, possibly in the bombing of Leipzig)
No.2 in B minor Op.22 1844
No.3 in E flat 'Hollandais' Op.45 1846
No.4 in D minor Op.102 1852
No.5 in C minor Op.123 1870
Works for Violin and Orchestra
Reve d'un Captif Op.41 1847
'Eroica' Concerto Symphonique Op.42 1846
Reve d'Amour Op.53
Serenade Op.61
Other orchestral
A la memoire de Meyerbeer - funeral march
'Vagabonded' - polka Op.25
Chamber
String Quartet in C minor Op.60 1851 pub. by G M Meyer
Piano Trio No.1 in D minor Op.47 1848 pub. by Braunschweig & GM Meyer also Richault
Piano Trio No.2 in E flat major Op.56 1852 pub. by Braunschweig & GM Meyer
Piano Trio No.3 in C minor Op.100 1854 pub. by Braunschweig & GM Meyer
Serenade for violin and piano Op.91 1851
Three pieces for violin and piano: Reve d'amour, La Capricieuse, Scene Champetre. Op.53 pub. by Braunschweig & GM Meyer
Piano
Rondo elegant Op.2
Grande marche fantastique Op.3
Reverie au Bal, Grande Valse Op.5
Fantasie on Rossini's Othello Op.6
Grand variations brillant on the favourite air, 'Life's like an April Day', by Herold Op.10 pub. by T Walsh 1835
for other piano pieces see list below.
Song
Three lieder Op.46
Das neue lied Op.48
Three lieder Op.49
Three lieder Op.52
Du meine Seele Op.58.1
Two lieder Op.67
Lied Op.76
Opera
Salvatore Rosa 1845
Catherine Howard 1847
The Bride of Kynast romantic opera, Story by Ernst Klingemann 1847
Rodrique of Toledo 1860
The Cavalier Nahal or The Wager of the Devil, comic opera 1866
Pandora's Box 1871 pub. by L Bathlot, Paris
Heloise and Abelard comic opera libretto by Louis Clairville & William Busnach 1872 pub. by Bathlot
Sleeping Beauty fairy opera 1874
The Fiance of the King of Garbe comic opera libretto by Adolph d'Ennery & Henri Chabrillat 1874 pub. by L Bathlot, Paris
The Mandrake story by Alexandre Dumas 1876
The Templers 1886 pub. by Enoch, Freres & Costallat
The Cavalry of the King comic opera 1888
King Lear (unfinished?) 1891
Vocal
Ruth et Boaz - Oratorio libretto by Hippolyte Lefebvre pub. by Choudens
Scenes from Goethe's Faust - for voice and orchestra 1875
Litolff married four times
Brothers & Sisters
Sophia Litolff 1814-1875
Martin Litolff 1816-1889
Maria Litolff 1816- ?
Henry Charles Litolff 1818-1891
Edwin Litolff 1819-1846
Frederick T Litolff 1821-1850
Alfred Litolff 1823-18 ?
Edward Litolff 1827- ?
He had 8 children by three of his wives.
Someone ought to do the complete trios on CD. Same with the VC. I wasn't aware that he has a string quartet to his credit. Most of his solo piano music consists of short character pieces. I was wondering if there aren't a few larger scale sonatas or fantasies among them.
Quote from: JimL on Saturday 21 April 2012, 15:37
Most of his solo piano music consists of short character pieces. I was wondering if there aren't a few larger scale sonatas or fantasies among them.
There are no sonatas as far as I am aware, but Litolff like many other composers of his era did compose fantasias on popular operatic themes such as Otello, Lucrezia Borgia & Robert le Diable and they are reasonably substantial.
Thal
This list is tolerably complete, but plenty of missing opus numbers.
Chamber
47 Piano Trio No.1 in d minor (ca.1848)
53 3 Pieces vor Violin and Piano (ca.1855)
56 Piano Trio No.2 in E flat major (ca.1850)
60 String Quartet in C major (1851)
91 Serenade for Violin and Piano (1851)
100 Piano Trio No.3 in c minor (ca.1854)
Operas
Salvator Rosa, 1845
Catherine Howard, 1847
Die Braut vom Kynast, große romantische Oper nach Ernst August Friedrich Klingemann, 1847
Rodrique de Tolède, Oper, um 1860
Le Chevalier Nahal ou La Gageure du diable, Komische Oper, 1866
La Boîte de Pandore, Opéra bouffe, 1871
Héloise et Abélard, Komische Oper, 1872
La Belle au bois dormant, Feenoper, 1874
La Fiancée du roi de Garbe, Komische Oper, 1874
La Mandragore, Komische Oper nach Alexandre Dumas, 1876
Les Templiers, Oper, 1886
L'Escadron volant de la reine, Komische Oper, 1888
Le Roi Lear, Oper
Orchestral
Concerto symphonique No. 1 in d minor
22 Concerto symphonique No. 2 in b minor, for Piano and Orchestra (1844)
45 Concerto symphonique No. 3 in Eb, for Piano and Orchestra (1845)
102 Concerto symphonique No. 4 in d minor, for Piano and Orchestra (1852)
123 Concerto symphonique No. 5 in c minor, for Piano and Orchestra (1867)
25 2 Vagabondes-Polka f. Orchester. Op. 25
41 Reve d'un Captive, Scène dramatique for Violin and Orchestra / Piano (ca.1847)
42 Eroica, Concerto symphonique for Violin and Orchestra (ca.1846)
53 Rêve d'amour, op.53 (n.d.);
61 Sérénade, op.61 (n.d.), also arr. vc, pf;
A la mémoire de Meyerbeer, marche funèbre, Po;
55 Maximilian Robespierre, Symphonie dramatique for Orchestra (1849/50)
80 Girondins, Ouverture dramatique for Orchestra (1870)
99 Das Welflied von Gustav von Meyern, op.99 (1856), (Les Guelfes)
101 Chant des Belges, Ouverture dramatique for Orchestra (1854/55)
Piano
2 Rondo élégant for Piano
3 Grânde Marche fantastique.
5 Rèverie au Bal. Grande Valse p. Pfte.
6 Fantasia on Rossini's Othello for Piano
17 3 Mazurkas for Piano
18 2 Etudes de Concert
19 Souvenir de Lucia de Lammermoor
20 Grande Caprice de Concert de Lucrezia Borgia
21 Grande Fantaisie-Caprice de Concert de Robert le Diable
25 6 Opuscules for Piano (Tarantelle calabraise. Op. 25. No. 1 )
28 3 Caprices en forme de Valse for Piano
30 Moments de Tristesse, 2 Nocturnes for Piano
31 Invitation à la Polka for Piano (and/or 3 lieder ohne worte)
35 Die Preußische Post for Piano
36 Inviation à la Tarantelle for Piano
37 Grand Caprice de Concert en forme de l'Étude for Piano
40 Souvenirs de la Pologne, 3 Mazurkas for Piano
43 Souvenirs d'Harzburg for Piano
44 Promenade du Soir au Bord de Rhin, Fantasia for Piano
50 Feuille d'Album, Piano Piece
51 3 Lieder ohne Worte for Piano
54 3 Morceaux caracteristiques for Piano
57 Terpsichore, Etude de Bravoure for Piano
59 Souvenir d'Enfance for Piano
61 Sérénade for Piano
62 Nocturne for Piano
63 Le Retour, Pièce de Concert for Piano
64 Elégie for Piano
65 Arabesques, 6 Piano Pieces
66 Valse de Bravoure for Piano
70 3 Idylles for Piano
71 3 Aquarelles for Piano
72 La Harpe d'Eole for Piano
73 Ballade for Piano
74 Souvenir d'un beau Jour, Pensée musicale for Piano
77 Une Fleur du Bal for Piano
78 Chant d'amour, Étude
79 Tarantelle infernale for Piano
81 Spinnlied No.1 for Piano (1850)
82 3 Esquisses musicales for Piano
83 6 Lieder ohne Worte for Piano
89 Grande Valse brillante for Piano
90 Romance for Piano
95 Perles harmoniques for Piano
96 Chant du Printemps, Impromptu for Piano
97 Bacchanale, Scherzo for Piano
98 3 Impromptus for Piano
104 Spinnlied No.2 for Piano (1860)
105 Maitau, Lied ohne Worte for Piano
106 Les Octaves, Concert Piece for Piano (1860)
107 Valse élégante for Piano
108 Polka caractéristique for Piano
109 La Mazurka, Impromptu for Piano
110 Andante for Piano
111 La Chasse, Etude de Concert fo Piano
112 Le Carnaval de Paris
113 Melodie for Piano
114 Souvenir de Vienne, Caprice for Piano
115 Scherzo for Piano
116 A la Memoire de Meyerbeer, Marche funèbre for Piano (1864)
117 Impressions de Voyage, Piano Pieces
124 Neckende Geister. Impromptu f. Pfte.
125 Dernière Aurore, Lied ohne Worte for Piano
126 Frascati-Valse
127 Der Abendstern, Valse for Piano
Vocal
46 3 Lieder. Op. 46 . Hannover, Nagel 25 Ngr. No. 1, O Herz lass ab zu zagen. 12½ Ngr. – 2, Wolle keiner mich fragen. 10 Ngr. – 3, Das sterbende Kind.
48 Das neue Lied. Gedicht v. A. Buchheim, f. Bass. Op. 48
49 Nächtliche Wanderung, Liebesahnung, Trennung von der Geliebten, Songs
52 3 Lieder v. N. Lenau, f. Sopran. (od. Tenor.) Op. 52. (Mein Herz. Abendlied. Einsamkeit.)
58 3 Lieder f. Sopran (od. Tenor). Op. 58 (Widmung. Vergissmeinnicht. Meine Furcht).
67 2 Lieder. Op. 67 (Mein Herz allein. Des Schäfers Sonntagslied.)
76 Mein Herz ist krank, v. Saphir, f. Sopran (od. Ten.) Op. 76
103 Szenen aus Goethe's Faust for Voices and Orchestra (1875)
Ruth et Boaz (orat, H. Lefebvre), vs (Paris, 1869)
Unknown opp: 1, 4, 7-16, 23-24, 26-27, 29, 32-34, 38-39, 68-69, 75, 84-88, 92-94, 118-122
I'm looking for a while for this composer which I only got 3 cds (2x hyperion and the one with the trio) and nothing else. Is there some other recotrdings? I think this guy is worth much more then what he is getting in recording. Difficult, perhaps I don't play piano, but surely challenging and very good.
I've been reading for about 2 years and this is my first post and learn a lot. (sorry for errors, english is not my langage)
Welcome to the site! And don't worry about your English - we can understand you just fine! Unfortunately, there's very little of Litolff's music on CD - but perhaps other members can help...?
All of the Concerto Symphonique's except #1 have been recorded at some point as has been the Piano Trio in d, opus 47. I have a cassette of the opus 55 Symphonie Dramatique and I know not right offhand where it originated. That's all I'm aware of.
Jerry
Concerto Symphonique No. 1 is lost. From what I gather there were no scores or manuscripts lying around after the composer's death; whatever there was of the work was at Litolff's Verlag in Leipzig, as were the plates (if any). You guessed it. Allied bombing in WWII took it out.
Jerfilm..... please, please , PLEASE upload the Symphonie Dramatique by Litolff
Amen to that.
I'll have to write another note to myself - not at home again. Be a couple of weeks or so....
Jerry
Piano trios - no.1 op.47 published 1848 (see HMB 1848, page 183) ; no.2 op.56 published 1850 (HMB 1850, page 116) (in E-flat major - key from IMSLP score) ; no.3 op.100 pub.ca.1854 (maybe 1853). Not sure where 1850 and 1852 came from for the first two trios but they're much too late. (See Hofmeisters Monatsberichte. Earlier dates still may be possible - and these are publication dates; I have no idea what the composition dates were.)
Jerry, Have you returned home yet? Are you able to find and upload the Robespierre overture? It appears many of us are excited, and would be grateful to you! Thank You.
Indeed, that would be interesting to hear!
I can upload four overtures, including Maximilian Robespierre, providing I'm not treading on Jerry's toes.
Jerry has the symphony. I'd be keen on the overtures and symphony myself.
The four overtures can now be downloaded from the British Music thread in the Downloads board here (http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,856.msg33863.html#msg33863).
Glad you did, Mark. Has been a horrendously busy spring and I've not had time to attend to digitiing music.....
Jerry
Not too busy to prevent digitising the Symphony though, I hope. ;)
Wait a minute. I'm a little confused. The Robespierre Overture is Op. 55. I wasn't aware that Litolff had composed an actual symphony. Are we talking about the same work, or is there an actual Symphonie Dramatique?
From the works list it looks like there is no symphony.
Jerry mentions an "opus 55 Symphonie Dramatique" in his earlier post. I hadn't picked up that the Robespierre Overture is op.55. I had blithely assumed that there was a Litolff symphony of sorts. Maybe it's the same piece, in which case (sigh) another disappointment! :(
Well, we can always hope that somebody records the Eroica VC some time soon!
If you go back to Balapoel's post of April 23rd, you'll see the opus 55 as listed as Maximillian Robesperre but not as an overture as was the original post of the list of his works. So it appears to me that there is some confusion over what the actual title of opus 55 really is. The opus 55 came to me years ago as the Overture, and when I listed it a "have", I was quoting from the 4/23 post. I had never heard of it as other than an overture prior to that. Sorry if I've caused some confusion.
Jerry
Well, tracing it back: Grove's lists it as an overture, but it was referred to as a 'symphonie dramatique' here:
http://imslp.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Henry_Charles_Litolff
Also, to add to the (possible) confusion:
http://www.crlg.be/template.asp?id=biblio-list&auteur=LITOLFF
lists:
LE DERNIER JOUR DE LA TERREUR. 1E SYMPHONIE DRAMATIQUE
EROICA. SINFONIE-CONCERTO POUR LE VIOLON
LES GIRONDINS. SYMPHONIE DRAMATIQUE
No question of "possible" confusion! Not a very helpful list, the one from the Liège Conservatory - they list Maximilian Robespierre no less than six times! The "Symphonie Dramatique: Le dernier jour de la terreur" might just be a seventh listing, given the subject matter, or it might be an separate work in which case the mystery deepens.
HMB does list Op. 42. Eroica. 1stes Concert f. Violine mit Orch. received in January 1858... so I'm guessing it existed, but hoping it exists...
I believe this has been addressed earlier, Eric. The full score and parts of the Eroica VC exist and may even be in the chute as we speak.
Quote from: Mark Thomas on Tuesday 15 May 2012, 08:03
No question of "possible" confusion! Not a very helpful list, the one from the Liège Conservatory - they list Maximilian Robespierre no less than six times! The "Symphonie Dramatique: Le dernier jour de la terreur" might just be a seventh listing, given the subject matter, or it might be an separate work in which case the mystery deepens.
There is clearly some confusion of terminology, probably arising from early editions:
full scores of four orchestral works were published by Richault, Paris (undated, but c.1850-52) describing each on the first actual page of music as
Drame Symphonique (i.e. symphonic drama) and giving an opus number, whereas the title pages of the same editions list the four works as a set but term them
Symphonies Dramatiques (i.e. dramatic symphonies):
1. Le Dernier Jour de la Terreur, Op.55
2. Les Girondins, Op.80
3. Les Guelfes, Op.99
4. Chant des Belges, Op.101As
republished by Litolff, however, these works are termed as follows:
Ouverture zu Maximilian Robespierre, Op.55 -
Trauerspiel (piano duet published 1852, full score published 1856)
Ouverture zu Die Girondisten, Op.80 -
Trauerspiel (piano score published 1852, full score n.d., probably published 1856-57)
Das Welfenlied von Gustav von Meyern, Op.99 -
Musikalisch illustrirt (piano duet published 1857, full score published 1857)
Chant des belges, Op.101 -
Ouverture dramatique (full score published 1856)
Thus
Le Dernier Jour de la Terreur was simply retitled
Maximilian Robespierre.
Les Guelfes was also retitled - it is the same piece as
Das Welfenlied von Gustav von Meyern.
From their scale and single movement structure I think that
Symphonic drama is a more accurate description of these pieces than either
Dramatic symphony or
overture: it is entirely possible that the publisher Richault erred on the title page.
:)
Crystal clear. Thanks, Albion.
Dating is thus very problematic: all four were available in full score from Richault c.1850-52, but clearly several if not all may well have been composed earlier. I have altered the entries in the archive catalogue, where they are now listed as
Maximilian Robespierre (Le Dernier Jour de la Terreur), symphonic drama [No.1], Op.55 (c.1850-52)
Les Girondins, symphonic drama [No.2], Op.80 (c.1850-52)
Chant des Belges, symphonic drama [No.4], Op.101 (c.1850-52)
All that is lacking is a recording of Les Guelfes (Das Welfenlied von Gustav von Meyern), symphonic drama [No.3], Op.99.
:)
Perhaps the confusion comes from the old use of the term "sinfonia" to mean an overture to a dramatic work. Clearly these are all overtures, in the same sense of the term that Mendelssohn's The Fair Melusina is an overture.
Litolff did not write a symphony (not in the Beethovenian / Romantic sense). The "overtures" are all symphonic poems - or, as Albion says, symphonic dramas (a very good term IMHO).
Scores and parts exist in Fleisher of the following:
"Eroica" Concerto Symphonique for violin & orchestra
Overture "Maximilian Robespierre"
Overture "Die Girondisten"
Ballet music from Grand Opera "Die Tempelherren"
Piano Concerto symphonique No. 3
Piano Concerto symphonique No. 4
A number of French and Belgian libraries have copies of other orchestral works. There is also a concert overture "King Lear" (score in Bayerische Staatsbibliothek).
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Tuesday 29 May 2012, 23:12
Litolff did not write a symphony (not in the Beethovenian / Romantic sense). The "overtures" are all symphonic poems - or, as Albion says, symphonic dramas (a very good term IMHO).
Which all happen to be in typical overture sonata form... ;D
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Tuesday 29 May 2012, 23:12There is also a concert overture "King Lear" (score in Bayerische Staatsbibliothek).
This is from his unfinished opera (1890).
I have overhauled the work-list on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Henry_Charles_Litolff (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Henry_Charles_Litolff) - to make it less confusing and more comprehensive.
:)
I didn't realise "King Lear" was an unfinished opera. BSB describes the overture as from "incidental music". Opera sounds more likely for Litolff.
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Wednesday 30 May 2012, 10:53I didn't realise "King Lear" was an unfinished opera. BSB describes the overture as from "incidental music". Opera sounds more likely for Litolff.
The title of the full score of the overture as published in 1891 by Litolff (plate 12558) reads -
Oper in drei acten nach Shakespeare und Holinshed von Jules und Eugene Adenis. Musik von Henry Litolff. Ouverture.- presumably any other material for the uncompleted opera perished along with Litolff's other unpublished scores during the war.
:(
RISM does list the full short score of his first (I think) surviving opera Die Braut von Kynast, libretto by Friedrich Fischer after Klingemann, premiered October 3 1847. (detail according to RISM and badly translated "S (2), A, T (2), B (4), speaking voice, Coro V (006), pf (orch); one of the singing parts is named Cunegonde.) (Vocal score and piano solo arrangement ca.1848 by Louis Winkler (ca.1813-1886), name familiar to IMSLP-trawlers.) Some at least- maybe all-
(vla, vlc, b, fl, ob (2), cl (2), fag (2), cor (2), tr, trb, timp)
of the orchestral parts are at Hohenlohe-Zentralarchiv, Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Neuenstein, so between the vocal score and the orchestral parts, it's- erm- conceivable one could mount a production, if they're in good shape, etc.- I guess...
Hrm. Ok, yes, the violin parts are missing in that list... maybe they're somewhere else- (hrm. Reconstruct from the short score? probably not.)
Belatedly in re the overture to Maxilian Robespierre, a (19th-century?) reprint/later edition (probably not the 1850-or-so first edition) of the full score can be downloaded from IMSLP now to follow along the recording we already have. I for one always like being able to do that (not to find mistakes or cuts, but because it can increase my enjoyment, ability to separate instrumental threads and reading skills - etc. I used to score-read-and-listen (both, I mean- I listen much more often) to Mahler 6 once a year at least for that reason alone.
Quote from: eschiss1 on Wednesday 30 May 2012, 18:34
RISM does list the full short score of his first (I think) surviving opera Die Braut von Kynast, libretto by Friedrich Fischer after Klingemann, premiered October 3 1847. (detail according to RISM and badly translated "S (2), A, T (2), B (4), speaking voice, Coro V (006), pf (orch); one of the singing parts is named Cunegonde.) (Vocal score and piano solo arrangement ca.1848 by Louis Winkler (ca.1813-1886), name familiar to IMSLP-trawlers.) Some at least- maybe all-
(vla, vlc, b, fl, ob (2), cl (2), fag (2), cor (2), tr, trb, timp)
of the orchestral parts are at Hohenlohe-Zentralarchiv, Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Neuenstein, so between the vocal score and the orchestral parts, it's- erm- conceivable one could mount a production, if they're in good shape, etc.- I guess...
Hrm. Ok, yes, the violin parts are missing in that list... maybe they're somewhere else- (hrm. Reconstruct from the short score? probably not.)
Have you considered the possibility that the orchestra lacks violins altogether? One of Méhul's operas (
Uthal) is orchestrated without them.
as are several more recent orchestral works (Brahms 2nd serenade, at least 2 substantial violin concertos (Dohnanyi 2, Sessions), Stravinski sym. psalms - I think (or maybe just one movement?), etc.) Quite possible. Maybe they're relying on a contemporary (not necessarily reliable) report in which the intonation of the violins - hypothetically - was called into question; or a vocal score with parts marked out specifically for the violin section - to be able to say that they're missing- or, most likely, RISM is making, or passing along, assumptions that someone oughtn't (this happens much too often for my liking; in some cases I can think of, the assumptions - e.g., some of their composer attributions based on ms. (copies) where only a last name and initial exists (at best) - are not questionable, but out and out refutable/wrong, or maybe to be charitable, almost definitely so...)
Hello, I adore his piano concertos, the entry of the piano in the 2nd one is one of the most beautiful. I would like to find some of his other music, I only have the 2 Hyperion PC releases.
Welcome, pianobaba. You can download four of Litolff's overtures from this site here (http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,856.msg33863/topicseen.html#msg33863).
Hello pianobaba. The Genesis label recorded two LPs with Litolff's works on them back in the '70s. One was with Gerald Robbins premiering the entire 4th Concerto Symphonique (the scherzo had been recorded innumberable times prior to that), the other one was actually a double LP with piano trios by Henselt, Alkan, Thalberg and Litolff (No. 1), all performed by, IIRC, the Mirecourt Trio. I believe that Commagère released an all-Litolff CD with the concerto and trio more recently, but I have no idea about its current availability.
It's listed as "Temporarily out of stock" at Genesis - see here (http://www.genesisrecords.com/).
As one of the most visited postings on this site, I thought I would ask if anyone is able to supply information about the following opus numbers:
1, 4, 7- 9, 11-16, 23-24, 26-27, 29, 38-39, 68-69, 75, 84-88, 92-94, 118-122.
One of the earlier opus ones is likely to relate to that of his lost Concerto Symphonique from 1839. I have not been able to track it's opus number.
All these opus numbers are missing from the work list given by Ted Blair in his 1968 Dissertation "Henry Charles Litolff (1818-1991): His Life and Piano Music". However, BL lists in its catalogue as Litolff's Op. 10: Grand Variations brilliant for the pianoforte on the favorite air, "Life's like an April Day", by Herold, Pub. T. Welsh, London, 1835.
That's the best I can do so far, I'm afraid.
Well that is something especially as it is an early work. I just live in hope !
The lost Concerto Symphonique is probably in the grouping from 1-16 except for the numbers accounted for. Op. 22 is the 2nd Concerto Symphonique, IIRC.
You are probably right about the 1st Concerto Symphonique, Jim.
Op. 22 is indeed the Concerto-Sinfonie No. 2, but it is not one of the numbers Giles is trying to locate.
I would be VERY interested to find the orchestral score or parts of the following concertante works for violin & orchestra by Litolff:
Op. 41 - Reve d'un captif
Op. 53 - Reve d'amour
Op. 91 - Serenade
I have only been able to find piano/violin scores so far. Any help would be gratefully received.
I'm astounded at the monumental bad luck it was that the only existing MS, plates (if any), and scores with parts of the Concerto Symphonique No. 1 would be in Litolff's Verlag when it got bombed. >:(
Well, the war (and not only that war, but definitely that war) destroyed both people, industry, art (of all kinds) - so far as classical music alone is concerned (just the product, not at this moment speaking of the composers whose lives were of course often themselves blighted by the war) we also know that Algernon Ashton's music got it both at home (manuscripts destroyed in England) -and- in published versions (plates destroyed in Germany); Hans Fahrmann's music was decimated (many otherwise apparently mostly unpurchased works destroyed in the destruction of Otto Junne's publishing house); and - well, etc.
(On the flip side and more positively if a bit fliply, "World War II, while not, -primarily-, a musical, resulted in many memorable theatre songs." - paraphrasing, I think, a line from a Tom Lehrer revue.)
There is a rare chance to hear Henry Litolff's first piano trio in a concert at St.Pauls Church Knightsbridge, London on 21stNovember at 7pm.
Thank you very much, Giles, for bringing this concert to the attention of this forum. I give below further details:
ST LAZARUS CHAMBER CONCERT
St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge
A Concert in Aid of The St Lazarus Charitable Trust to raise money for the relief of Leprosy Sufferers throughout the world.
Thursday 21st November at 7.00pm
Includes a rare performance of the Piano Trio in D minor by the English-born composer, Henry Charles Litolff, who is mainly remembered today for the sparkling and light-hearted 'Scherzo' from his Concerto Symphonique No. 4, op. 102 for piano & orchestra (1852).
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Variations on "Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu" in G Op. 121a (1803)
Henry Charles Litolff: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor Op. 47 (ca. 1848)
Johannes Brahms: Piano Trio in B Op. 8 (1854/89)
Simon Callaghan – piano
Benjamin Roskams – violin
Ashok Klouda – cello
Steinway Artist Simon Callaghan performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. He has performed at all the UK's major concert halls, and his extensive repertoire has included complete cycles of Beethoven and Brahms chamber works.
In 2017 he released, to critical acclaim, his debut CD for Hyperion Records' "Romantic Piano Concerto" series: the first recordings of Roger Sacheverell Coke's piano concerti with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins. As one half of The Parnassius Duo, with pianist Hiro Takenouchi, he has recorded, for the Lyrita label, works for two pianos by distinguished Victorians Percy Sherwood and Hubert Parry. Simon's first solo recording for Hyperion, world premières of piano works by Jean Louis Nicodé (1853-1919), was released this year. Website: https://www.simoncallaghan.com/
Benjamin Roskams currently holds the position of 1st violin with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Benjamin has led the Dutch National Ballet as well as acting as guest deputy concertmaster of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Holland Symfonia. In the UK he works regularly with the LSO, LPO and Philharmonia Orchestra. He began playing the violin at the age of nine in Cardiff where he studied with Harry Cawood before winning a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music, later continuing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and at the Amsterdam Conservatoire. He now seeks inspiration from Ivry Gitlis in Paris. Benjamin has collaborated with leading artists such as the Brodsky Quartet, Ivry Gitlis, Emanuel Hurwitz, Mats Lidstrom, Alexander Baillie, Priya Mitchell, David Cohen and Thomas Carroll. Benjamin plays a c.1720 Joseph filius Andrea Guarneri violin generously loaned by Albert Cooper's family.
Cellist Ashok Klouda made his solo Wigmore Hall debut in 2010 as a result of winning the Worshipful Company of Musicians/Concordia Foundation Young Artists Fund award. He has won many other awards and prizes, including 1st prize in the 2006 J. & A. Beare Solo Bach Competition, the 2007 Royal College of Music Cello Competition and the 2009 Tunnell Trust concert scheme.
Since 2010, Ashok has been on the Advisory Board for The London Cello Society.
He has performed many times on BBC Radio 3 and recorded for the Nimbus Alliance label with the Barbirolli Quartet and for Champs Hill Records as a member of the Artea Quartet. In 2016, Ashok was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Tickets: £15; £25 & £60 (includes buffet supper afterwards – limited number)
Tickets may be purchased through Jonathan Prichard
Phone 01273 202497 or email: jonathan.prichard@btinternet.com
or online at the parish website: https://www.spkb.org/lazarusconcert-nov19/ (https://www.spkb.org/lazarusconcert-nov19/)
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Friday 11 October 2019, 13:41
Includes a rare performance of the Piano Trio in D minor by the English-born composer, Henry Charles Litolff...
Born in London to a Scottish mother....what does that make him? :)
Confused, probably.
It makes him English. His father sired 18 children. Henry had seven siblings from the same two parents, four marriages and eight children. It was me that was confused doing the research.
Not British?