Messages

thanks Alan for introducing me to the music of Schmidt-Kowalski. I listened to audio samples on Jpc.de and needless to say have ordered both symphonies. I am looking forward to hearing them in their entirety.

Hi all

I have been listening to Noskowski's music for the past week or so, and am totally in agreement with what both Mark and Alan have said. Symphony no 1 is absolutely wonderful and I am looking forward to the eventual release of sym nos 2 + 3!

Hello Kevin and TerraEpon

Glad you both find listening to Melartin's music so appealing. I come back to his music regularly but most of all, as I said previously, it's the VC that I really love most of all.

Hello Peter, Jim and everyone who has spoken so highly of Bortkiewicz, I have since played PC 2 + 3 several times. Surprise, surprise, I have since changed my mind and think that PC 2 is now clearly my favourite; from its anguished beginning to its joyous triumph of the close. As other members have remarqued, it's  Bortkiewicz's gift of melody which does it for me. He is certainly a composer I will listen to often!

Hello Alan

Re-Zelenski, I too am interested in Polish classical music. I note that you referred to Zelenski's Overture in the Tatra mountains. I don't know his music but recently I ordered the CD Accord CDR 019 Polish symphonic music in the 19th century, mainly for Noskowski's The Steppe. The cd has not yet arrived but I notice that the Zelenski piece is also on the same cd, along with a piece by Moniuszko (another Polish composer I've heard good things of). Is this the cd you have? Can you say a little more about the Zelenski piece?

cheers
Dennis

Hello Alan and everyone wanting to purchase the Sterling CD, have just today found out that the cd can be purchased through Priory Records (distributors for Sterling in the UK) but will only be available as from next week - website www.priory.org.uk. I imagine though that the price will be lower than through Toccata. I can't wait to listen to the symphony in view of all the glowing reports!

Hello Peter and all the members who have spoken so highly of Bortkiewicz. I finally received my copy of PC 2 + 3 yesterday. The wait was more than worthwhile. Thank you everyone for introducing me to a wonderful composer. I've only listened so far to PC 2 once and PC 3 twice and need to listen to them again . So far though, I confess I still marginally prefer PC1, for its many tender, lyrical passages in the romantic vein that I like so much. I have detected similar passages of great beauty in PC3, which instantly appeal to me. I think I have to re-listen to PC 2 several times though and perhaps then I will come to love it even more. What I have noticed in PC2 is that at times it doesn't feel as much like as a concerto, more like chamber music, with the number of passages where it's just the piano and the flute or cello or viola. It's sure to grow on me!I will certainly be keeping a look out for the VC and CC!

Hello Peter
I've just been listening to audio extracts of all the pieces on Acte Prealable's piano works by Noskowski. I must say I am very impressed . All the pieces are very lovely and convey lots of different moods, at times I am reminded of Chopin. I too am going to buy the cd!  Still no sign sadly of the Sterling cd. Both JPC and MDT have said in the last 24 hours that they can give no details at the present moment. As Alan and Mark have said, hopefully the cd will be available soon.

Hello Alan and Mark

Reading all your comments on sym no 1 has really whetted my appetite! For the past few days I have searched the internet on all the cd outlets for the Sterling cd, but it is still not showing up anywhere, even though on the Sterling website,it is showing as released July. I imagine you two received advance copies of the cd. I guess I just have to be patient as it is sure to show up soon??? In the meantime, I have to content myself listening to The Steppe, which I like very much indeed!

Hello Jim
Thanks for your comments. I know how much you like the PC 2. If indeed, it is even better than no 1, I am sure that I will really love it too! When I receive my copy from Holland, I will listen to it and then give you my impressions on the work. I hope to receive my copy by the end of the week. I note your comments on his piano music, especially with reference to Rachmaninov ( a composer I am very fond of) and am going to try and stream the audio of as many pieces as I can find. I have listened to the audio extracts of the VC just once and will hear it again. I don't recall where I read it but a review of the soloist was very positive but not so flattering for the orchestra (amateurish?). Does this ring a bell with you? Like yourself, I have a number of works by Arensky but was not greatly moved by them. Perhaps I need to listen again more carefully???

Hello Monafam. I read your last posting and smiled. I know that having joined this forum, I am going to discover many "unsung" composers and will, as a result, want to buy even more cds. My wife has stopped making any comment on my purchases! I intend shortly to start a new thread on Atterberg and it will be most interesting to read other members views on his work.

As a result of reading all the postings on Bortkiewicz, I consequently ordered the 2 symphonies and PC 1.  I was immediately taken with his music, which covers a wide range of emotions, and which goes without saying, I find especially appealing. Of the symphonies, I prefer no 1 marginally. The PC struck me as especially attractive and I particularly liked a number of passages of great beauty and delicacy in the romantic vein. I am so taken with this composer, I have since ordered PC 2 + 3 and eagerly await their arrival. Thank you everyone for introducing me to a wonderful composer.

Recently I discovered the music of Erkki Melartin (1875-1937), finnish composer and conductor.
A contempory of Sibelius, Melartin as conductor of the Viborg Orchestra, Helsinki directed the orchestra in the first performanances of Mahler's music given in any of the Nordic countries.
Unsurprisingly Melartin's music at times bears the stamp of Mahler, whilst still retaining its own original voice.
Amongst his key works : 6 symphonies and a stunning VC (all on Ondine).
Broadly classified as a National Romantic , I find his music most appealing: lyrical, yearning, stirring and very expressive, often with the inclusion of finnish folk songs. His Scherzi in particular (Sym 1-4) are full of freshness and veuve.

My own favourite is Sym No 4 (historically his most popular) and contains a choral movement for soprano, mezzo and contralto (lovely). The scherzo in particular is superb, with its racy rhythmic motif, and its Trio theme having an odd Prokofiev aspect to it.

Of the 6 symphonies, my order of preference is 4,1,2,3,5 +6.

My most unreserved praise is however for his VC, which I find especially beautiful. The main theme (a big"tune"?) introduced in the first movement reappears in all 3 movements and is variously at times tender,yearning and very moving. It's the 2nd movement however which does it for me, the Andante is so lovely. The concerto comes to a most satisfactory conclusion with an uplifting, danse-like movement.

I think Melartin deserves to be better known. Do other members know his music?

Dear Alan

Thanks for your words of welcome. As one German teacher(I also teach French) to another, it's been a hectic year and it's so good to now be on school holidays.

I've read many of the postings by yourself and other members and it will be very stimulating to exchange views on not just Gade but also on other lesser known composers, a number of whom I've discovered for myself in the past 12 months (CPO are doing a great job) and all being discussed on this site.

Kind regards
Dennis

thanks Mark for your reply re- my difficulty streaming certain extracts on the Raff site. The problem seemed to arise only on certain works(newer entries?) and I have listened to a large number of extracts merely by clicking on the icon. As I now know what to do, it's no longer a problem as such. I note that Ilya says it's not a Mac problem. I use a Dell computer.

By the way, I would still like to have your thoughts on Erkki Melartin, especially his violin concerto.

Regards
Dennis