A very special vote of thanks to minacciosa for uploading the various Jongen works in the Downloads section. We feel privileged to have them.
Posted by minacciosa elsewhere and moved to this thread - with apologies for cross-posting!
Alan Howe
Since I've just placed files for Jongen's Violin Concerto, Epithalme et Scherzo and String Trio, it seems appropriate to open a forum for discussion of this master's work. There's been an aircheck of the Epithalme floating around for some time, but it is truncated; now we have the complete work, and it is an impressive one. In my opinion the Violin Concerto and Epithalme are among the true gems of Jongen's early work, along with the Piano Trio for Violin and Viola, 1st String Quartet, Piano Quartet and Fantasie on Two Walloon Christmas Carols. So much of Jongen's music remains unrecorded, and that is a shame. Let's enjoy what we have.
Pray, good sir, what is the tempo of the finale of the Jongen concerto?
Quote from: JimL on Wednesday 22 August 2012, 22:30
Pray, good sir, what is the tempo of the finale of the Jongen concerto?
It is Animé. Thanks for alerting me to this; I've amended the post.
The Violin Concerto is an incredibly beautiful early work by Jongen (it dates from 1897) - can't say it reminds of any other VC, although its chromaticism does put me in mind somewhat of Chausson's Poème. I'd say this was a prime candidate for recording - e.g. in Hyperion's RVC series. It's also a major work on a large-ish scale (35 minutes) - quite how it's failed to be recorded is anyone's guess.
The work shows Jongen's early influences clearly. His early style could be described as Saint Saens on steroids. There's also a good dollop of Wagner; check out the scoring in the second movement.
I should hit up Chandos about this.
There's a fairly big dollop of Wagner in Chausson, of course...
Oh yes, much mere than there ever was in Jongen. Chausson did manage to make it his own. It's always amazed me that there were so many who learn from Wagner and create something new and original from it. Such are the riches of Wagnerism.
Absolutely!
Jongen deserves a thread of his own - and more! I've got the impression that his music has become less well known and represented in recent years. If the impression is right that's a considerable pity because I don't think I've ever heard a Jongen work that hasn't seriously impressed me. It is also remarkable that he could work - in my view equally effectively - in the widest range of forms: chamber, orchestral, vocal and choral, piano and organ. A true master!
Yes, odd that Cypres, who have recorded a lot of the orchestral music, have neglected works like the Vn Concerto. But do try the earlyish Cello Concerto (Op. 18 of 1900) coupled with the Impressions d'Ardennes (Op. 44 of 1913).
But for me the most prized Jongen is some of the chamber music. There are two splendid discs (on Pavane) by the Gong Quartet of the String Quartets. Lovely works and excellent performances.
Likewise a Talent disc of the two Violin Sonatas.
Perhaps best of all a Cypres disc of the Piano Quartet Op. 23 (1902) and the Piano Trio Op. 30 (1906-07). The latter is an unusual work written for piano, violin and viola (not many for that combination!), and is an exceptionally beautiful and deeply moving work.
I'm also quite often dipping into two CD sets (Pavane again) of the piano music played by Diane Andersen who seems quite a Jongen specialist.
And I suppose about once a year I dispense with the need for a chimney sweep by listening to the renowned Symphonie Concertante. I don't normally go in for such things - but this is an imposing and quite magnificent work. Turn up the volume a trifle and the very chimney pots shake and the soot descends. Wonderful.
A thousand thanks to Minacciosa for these. Jongen's exquisite music is to my ears an elegant synthesis of Franckian passion, Faureen intimism, and the symbolist mysteres of Debussy but drawing on a rich vein of melody that is immediately recognizable as the composer's own. It is civilized (never merely gentlemanly) music that has its painterly analogues in the work of Signac, Vuillard, and Jongen's compatriots Theo van Rysselbergh and Henry van de Velde (Unseen Painters whose pictures would make perfect cd booklet covers).
Totally agree with these comments, although I am not especially familiar with Chausson's music.
The link to the String Trio seems to have vanished ???
Link fixed.
Excellent! Thank you ;)
The key of the concerto is B minor, yes?
Yes.
Wow! Jongen's music seems to have created quite a stir - thank you for the uploads! I shall download them later. I remember listening to his cello concerto many years ago and being a little non-plussed - my failing entirely, I'm sure - my tastes change a lot over time, I find. I have several of the CDs mentioned above, and the string quartets, waiting in my emusic download list - I shall have to get listening!
My thanks once again :)
Lee
You're very welcome, as are all. Must say that I also have not been a fan of Jongen's Cello Concerto, but that is just about the only work of his that didn't inspire enthusiasm in me. I can't tell if it's the writing or the interpretation, but the piece seems diffuse, and never quite gets off the ground. Still, throughout his life Jongen seems capable of producing great music in whatever idiom in which he works. There's so much more to discover.
For those interested, here is a performance on YouTube of a Jongen work for double bass. Still prime Jongen if not a major work.
Joseph Jongen
PRELUDE, HABANERA ET ALLEGRO (1938)
DANIEL GWIN, DOUBLE BASS; DARLENE STEWART, PIANO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftd0_G35XM0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftd0_G35XM0)
3/21/84
Here's another performance by the same bassist with another pianist.
PRELUDE HABANERA ET ALLEGRO
DANIEL GWIN, DOUBLE BASS; JULIAN WARD, PIANO
3/26/92
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTGn82btCWM
Weird reocrding of that violin concerto -- what's with the....direction?....here and there.
Did you read minacciosa's commentary that accompanies the download?
It's not just the last movement. The conductor's instructions are quite clear at the beginning of the 2nd movement too.
We should, of course, be thoroughly grateful to have any opportunity to hear this marvellous work.
As I said, at some point I'll digitize the concert performance. I just happened to grab that tape first and then went on to other things.
Thank you so much, John, for kindly downloading your recordings of Jongen, especially the Violin Concerto; it's very generous of you to share your interpretations which I feel privileged to hear. I can only echo Alan's mystification about why the concerto has not been recorded commercially. Please do what you can to remedy that!
After listening to all your downloads, I continued a very rewarding afternoon listening again to the Quatuor Gong's CD of the first two String Quartets as recommended by Petershott (note to self – must get their CD containing the third!) and again I agree with Alan that the first is a gem. Another early masterpiece is the op. 10 Piano Trio (a good recording by the Ensemble Jospeh Jongen on Fuga Libra, coupled with the Aquarelles op. 59 and the Deux Pièces en trio op 95) which shows Jongen to have a melodic and lyrical gift second to no-one in the Franco-Belgian school, as well as the capacity to build completely absorbing narrative arcs over long periods. At times the harmonic language reminded me of the anguished Piano Quintet of Louis Vierne (written twenty years later, of course).
Like most here I'm sure, I continue to be astonished by the unsung status of some composers who are undoubted masters; without, I hope, any hint of hyperbole, it seems scarcely credible that these works by Jongen are not in the standard repertoire.
Lionel, I would strongly recommend the first violin sonata (op. 27), the work in which I think Jongen's style emerges unmixed. There's an excellent recording on Talent (Eric Melon, violin/Jean Schils, piano).
Thank you very much for that pointer, X. Trapnel. I shall definitely order it. :)
As fine as are the 3 titled string quartets, my opinion is that his finest work for quartet are the Deux Serenades Op.61, Deux Esquisses Op.97 and the Prelude & Chaconne Op.101. The first two have titles that don't convey the ambitious architecture and emotional scope of the music, while the P & C is likely one of the most intense works penned by the composer. I hope you all will have the opportunity to hear these works soon.
These works don't seem to have been recorded. As with some of the later orchestral pieces modest-sounding titles appear to have discouraged attention.
Jongen also wrote a very lovely Piano Concerto - and (I think) one for harp... correct me if I'm wrong.
And also the Piece Symphonique Op.84, another large scale work for piano and orchestra. I have the sudden urge to fire up the old hard drive for a listen.
Huge thanks to JMW for his upload. It is extra special to hear a fellow forum member playing.
Thal
Indeed, Gareth. The Piano Concerto is from 1943 (Op. 127). and the Harp Concerto from the following year (Op. 129). Haven't heard the latter for a good number of years.
There is also a Concerto a cinq from 1923, scored for Harp, Violin, Viola, Flute & Cello. Without looking it up I can't remember why Jongen called it a 'Concerto'.
There is a recording of the piano and harp concertos on the Musique en Wallonie label that may still be available. These were recorded in the early 60s and don't sound like studio recordings (sound is adequate).
minacciosa - are your dates in US or UK mode? Is 2/12/95 (orch. Epithalme) the 2nd of December or the 12th of February? ;)
Yes, there is a harp concerto, and it is terrific. There is one recording that I know of, and it's still in print.
I'm going to repeat my contention here that Jongen's VC is an undiscovered masterpiece - powerful, memorable and beautiful. If friends haven't downloaded it yet, may I encourage you to do so...
Quote from: semloh on Friday 24 August 2012, 00:40
minacciosa - are your dates in US or UK mode? Is 2/12/95 (orch. Epithalme) the 2nd of December or the 12th of February? ;)
In the U.S.A. manner.
I should have added that the VC is actually written in quite an advanced idiom for its date. I can't think of any VC of the period that is as harmonically adventurous as the Jongen. Works such as the VCs by the Germans Reger and Schillings come later - in any case I can't think of a comparable work from the wider Franck school. Perhaps someone can correct me? If not, it seems to me that Jongen's VC is unique...
Alan, you're right that Jongen's VC is likely one the more advanced works issuing from the Franck school at that time. (That both composers were Belgian is a coincidence whose wider implications has yet to be explored.) It also has some rather un-French characteristics, notably in its aggressive rhetoric and the wide range of its coloristic scoring. It seems that Jongen grew almost literally from work to work, with each successive piece showing absorption of some new compositional element. As he progresses one can hear Jongen experimenting with more abrupt modulations and what would have been considered unusual juxtaposition of chords. What I find interesting is that no matter how passionate the music becomes, the writing maintains a strong sense of classicism in its dedication to very clear architecture.
This is a very interesting story, compositionally speaking, isn't it? Jongen's classicism is, I suppose, reflected in the mere fact that he wrote a violin concerto as opposed to any manner of substitutes, e.g. romances, legends, poems, etc. (translated into French, of course!) I'd certainly like to hear more of your thoughts, minacciosa, on Jongen's idiom here.
Looking at my Mediafire folders it seems that no one has downloaded Jongen's Epithalme et Scherzo. I encourage all to do so, for it is a beautiful and exciting work completely successful in all aspects.
Quote from: minacciosa on Monday 27 August 2012, 23:19
Looking at my Mediafire folders it seems that no one has downloaded Jongen's Epithalme et Scherzo. I encourage all to do so, for it is beautiful and exciting work completely successful in all aspects.
Mediafire seems to be giving you unreliable "management information" because I can confirm that I downloaded both versions of the Epithalme et Scherzo on 23 August (and I agree about its beauty).
Thanks Lionel, I'll check into that. I must admit that I found it quite surprising.
Quote from: Lionel Harrsion on Monday 27 August 2012, 23:32
Quote from: minacciosa on Monday 27 August 2012, 23:19
Looking at my Mediafire folders it seems that no one has downloaded Jongen's Epithalme et Scherzo. I encourage all to do so, for it is beautiful and exciting work completely successful in all aspects.
Mediafire seems to be giving you unreliable "management information" because I can confirm that I downloaded both versions of the Epithalme et Scherzo on 23 August (and I agree about its beauty).
Yes, I also downloaded them immediately - and I also agree, they are fine pieces. :)
The only piece by Joseph Jongen that I had previously heard is his "Suite for Orchestra and Solo Viola" -- a beautifully elegiac piece. (Available on Centaur CD)
Was Joseph Jongen related to Leon Jongen, another Belgian composer and his contemporary (1884-1969) who wrote in a more modern idiom?
Yes, Leon was Joseph's younger brother.
They were brothers. There is a very different and equaly fine recording of the Viola Suite on Koch:
http://www.amazon.com/Die-Viola-Orchestra-Mahaut-Hindemith/dp/B000001STC (http://www.amazon.com/Die-Viola-Orchestra-Mahaut-Hindemith/dp/B000001STC)
This is a reissue.
I look forward to your post of the concert performance of the VC. It is quite different from his brother's VC. :)
Yes, JJ's VC is extremely different from LJ's, but then again they were written more than sixty years apart.
Regarding the Harp Concerto. we have more options that previously thought. Here is a link to a cd that also contains Gliere's Harp Concerto played by Gretchen Van Hoesen.
http://www.harpmall.com/CdGalleryStore/vanhoesen01.htm (http://www.harpmall.com/CdGalleryStore/vanhoesen01.htm)
Quite by accident I stumbled upon a dvd(!) of a performance of Jongen's concerto. The dvd also contains the Poeme Elegiaque (1st movement of the Suite for Viola & Orchestra, here performed with piano), Duex Pieces for Four Violas (Jongen's transcription of his eponymous work for four cellos). and Harpe Esquisse for harp and string quartet (JJ's transcription of a piano work). I ordered the dvd, and it arrived yesterday. I'll get back to you on that.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/racheltalitmanharppierre2 (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/racheltalitmanharppierre2)
Fascinating. Can't wait to hear your report...
These are very interesting works. The Trio reminded me of Vaughan Williams and the Concerto of Max Bruch.
Stunning performance for a non-professional orchestra, I expect the concert went well.
Must listen to more Jongen.
Thanks for posting.
I see all of his string quartets have been recorded - another set of CDs that I wish I could buy (maybe sometime one of these days) or hope a radio station will broadcast and that I'll at least hear; have been interested in them. In principle and sincerely, though, good news.
Two major works for quartet have yet to be recorded, or at least released commercially.
My mistake!
I have a couple pieces I Dled from eMusic some years ago that no one has mentioned. A Concerto for Wind Quintet, and a lovely piece called Dance Lente in an arrangement for flute and harp.
FWIW.
Both excellent, and also recorded. I wouldn't cast them among Jongen's major works, but that doesn't make them any less entertaining or worthy of study.
The dvd released by Harp & Co. featuring the music of Joseph Jongen is excellent. It consists of live performances filmed specifically for this dvd. (The exact works are listed in a previous post.) The performance of the Harp Concerto is quite good. I thought the harpist was an excellent player, though her dynamic range was rather narrow. The orchestra is presumably professional, but the strings do not have a proper blend. As a whole the performance are very enjoyable if not very flexible, which is a quality I think this music needs. Jongen's Harp Concerto is a subtle piece, and tempi need to be finely judged, particularly in the finale lest a certain sameness sets in and the appearance of the coda seem hurried.
The majority of the disc features the violist Pierre-Henri Xuereb, who is an excellent player. His sound is airy and unforced, and thus may not be to everyone's taste. I found his performance of the first movement of the Suite for Viola & Orchestra (here done with piano) exquisite. He's joined by three other excellent violists in the transcription of the Deux Pieces. All the performances are very satisfying.
There are two video segments interspersed among the performances; the first is of the luthier Friedrich Alber, and it has a bit of Pia Segerstam playing the first cello part from the opening of the Deux Pieces for Four Cellos on an instrument made by Alber. The second segment is of stringmaker Bernard Maillot, who manages the Savarez S.A. It shows various stages in the manufacturing of a string along with Maillot's narration. Throughout the disk all dialogue is in French, and there are no subtitles. Interestingly, the end credits are in English, which roll while a Jongen work for harp is played in the background. That work's title is not given in the credits. Another odd thing is that frequently the video is not in sync with what is being played, and it looks to be a conscious choice of the filmmakers. It took a while for this to cease being disconcerting to me, though it may not bother others so much. There are also liner notes included written in English, French and Chinese.
If you are so inclined, order the dvd. I loved it, and I give it a total buy rating.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/racheltalitmanharppierre2 (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/racheltalitmanharppierre2)