It can now be revealed that Toccata Classics will shortly be bringing out the two Piano Quintets of Friedrich Gernsheim...
http://www.toccataclassics.com/inpreparation.php (http://www.toccataclassics.com/inpreparation.php) (scroll down to foot of page)
Whoop de do! Plaudits to Martin Anderson and anybody else involved in this much anticipated CD. You know who you are...
This is going to be quite a revelation, I feel. Fabulous music in the mould of Brahms, but with more abandon in the writing, especially in PQ2.
Thanks for the link.
Actually, there are a batch of interesting CDs there - not only Gernsheim.
What is the lag time on these releases, I wonder? Anyone have an idea?
A couple of months, probably.
The CD will soon be out...
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/NR_February/TOCC0099.htm (http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/NR_February/TOCC0099.htm)
Excuse me, I'm dribbling.
What a stunning, warm and delightful chamber music this is. This is how chamber music of the highest calibre should be.
Listen to the samples at http://www.toccataclassics.com/cddetail.php?CN=TOCC0099 (http://www.toccataclassics.com/cddetail.php?CN=TOCC0099) and you will be convinced...
Definitely a must-buy.
I shall be up at the crack of dawn staring at the letter box for I was told on Friday that the Toccata disc is in the post.
Surprised that other enthusiasts for Gernsheim haven't mentioned an Antes disc issued a few years ago of the Arensky Trio performing Piano Trios 1 & 2. And pretty good it is.
Then, very recently released, on Brilliant Classics is a recording of Piano Quartets 1 & 3. Gernsheim on a budget label - the sun peeps out from behind the clouds!
petershott, I think we're in the same boat...my copy is in the post, too. I can't wait...
David
100% guarantee that neither of you will be disappointed. These are terrific works.
Good to see the excitement caused by the Gernsheim Piano Quintets. I have to say (well, I would, wouldn't I?) that they are among the best things I have issued. I have a very simple test for these things. Normally by the time I get a CD out, I have listened to it so often that the last thing I want to do is here it once more. I usually play a sample copy once the stocks come in from the factory to check there are no nasty surprises and then put it away. But the Gernsheim CD I've been playing repeatedly since it arrived, and try as I might, I can't tire of it. The CD of Dvorák song transcriptions (http://www.toccataclassics.com/cddetail.php?CN=TOCC0100) -- released, like the Gernsheim last Monday -- is similarly more-ish.
I have to disappoint Peter, though: we missed the post at the weekend and his CDs went over the counter only today. But they are on the way, promise!
May I remind anyone thinking of acquiring any more than one Toccata Classics CD (warning: commercial plug follows) that joining our Discovery Club is a bit of a no-brainer: the £20 annual membership fee brings you two free CDs of your choice (post free), and subsequent purchases through the Toccata Classics website fall from £13.50 to £8.50. A natural for people in this forum, I'd have thought! (I'll try not to go on about it, honest.)
Russian pianophiles might be interested to know that our March releases includes Vol. 1 of the complete Lyadov piano music. And if anyone here would like to come to the launch of the first CD of David Matthews string quartets on 26 February, it's in the Royal Academy of Music at 6pm. Please come along.
Cheers
Martin
Many thanks, Martin! Gosh, I don't think I've ever had before a personal message from the founder of a CD company. I feel most chuffed! And what a company: for Toccata has become very much part of the indispensable furniture of the universe. Decidedly arrogant I know, but speaking on behalf of humanity we're all deeply grateful for the work that you've done. Truly. Each of the Toccata discs I have on my sagging shelves is a gem.
And whilst I don't hesitate to pronounce on behalf of humanity, I must exercise caution and insist I'm not entitled to speak on behalf of this website. However I feel real sure that no member here resents an occasional genteel commercial plug from you. Good news is something to be shared.
Immensely looking forward to your David Matthews release later this month. He's a terrific composer. Several inches of those shelves are already occupied by Matthews, and living close to Aldeburgh I'm most lucky in occasionally hearing Matthews in the flesh. I do hope the orders come piling in!
Kindest best wishes to you - and once again my gratitude.
Not to be a nag or anything, but surely you must have caught the thread about the Gernsheim Piano Concerto, along with the Violin Concerto and Symphony #2. Seems like these works are ripe for the picking along the guidelines you've set for your label, Martin. Just thought I'd plant the seed for a possible project. :)
The seed, Jim, would need plenty of watering...
With a moneycan...
Well, yes, there is that...but this stuff gets done without my moneycan, somehow.
Sometimes, Jim, your money has to follow your mouth...
Well... then let the people with the money supply the money and the people with brains supply the ideas! 8)
It's sometimes the people without much money who are actually generous enough to offer it...
Hey! Until I'm flush, and I mean FLUSH, ideas are all I'm good for. Ask me in a few months when I've got my shiny brand new degree, I'm working only ONE job, getting a little ahead, paying off my debts as well as my bills, and generally in a better position to do something.
Although, come to think of it, there still wouldn't be much I could do. Maybe we could pool our resources for a project or something.
More ideas... ;)
Now, pooling resources is a good idea...
A small donation x lots of supporters = funds for a CD
You up for this, Jim?
Today my CD arrived, and I've listened to both Piano Quintets, for the first time completely. Wow... this is chamber music at its best, and very well performed. The booklet notes (yes, with a lot of Brahms, but fortunately not in the discussion of both quintets...) are detailed.
What a fine composer Gernsheim was! Very, very warmly recommended!
I got mine today (Tuesday). but haven't had a chance to listen to it yet...
David
Quote from: Alan Howe on Thursday 18 February 2010, 10:35
Now, pooling resources is a good idea...
A small donation x lots of supporters = funds for a CD
You up for this, Jim?
Not quite yet. Let's pick a project first, then find out how much will be needed and who's in the pool.
OK - but, remember, if you are looking at a couple of 19th century VCs with a good orchestra and soloist, you won't see any change out of £10,000.
At least, Gareth.
Absolutely - at least... I was deliberately being conservative.
Quote from: Gareth Vaughan on Wednesday 24 February 2010, 11:19
OK - but, remember, if you are looking at a couple of 19th century VCs with a good orchestra and soloist, you won't see any change out of £10,000.
I'm assuming that is the sum total to be split among the members of the pool. The greater the number of participants the lesser the individual contribution. We'll have to figure out the exchange rate at the time we ante up.
I understand that this CD is one of the few Toccata releases that is now having to be re-pressed - a real tribute to the quality of the music. So, if you haven't bought a copy yet...
especially good news, I think (though I've only seen the quintets in score, not heard them, so far.) thanks!
I think I could be convinced to contribute, say, $5000 toward an appealing project that might otherwise never get recorded.....would that help us start a fund?
Jerry
*puts in a mild, -not- an insistent, request that the various people at Toccata - Mr. Anderson and others - update the website as time permits - the upcoming projects parts, at least; it would be great to know what is afoot now :) * Never mind, never mind. They have done!
Apologies. Just noticed that one movement from this CD (the 3rd movement of the 1st quintet) has been included on an Allegro Sampler (insufficiently identified, but people can figure out what it is with some work) and can be downloaded for free as an mp3 from Amazon. I hope that is going to help "get out the word" (or the sound, or...) - though it would have done so better if Gernsheim's name had been included, likewise for the other composers on these albums. (The performers' names are.) Still... :)