Unsung Composers

The Music => Composers & Music => Topic started by: Reverie on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 00:27

Title: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 00:27
August Walter (1821-1896)

Born in Stuttgart but lived most of his life in Basle where he made a very significant contribution to the musical life of the city. He and Brahms were supposedly friends. Walter is obscure enough not to warrant an entry in the New Grove. (This might need checking)

If so, he must easily deserve an "Unsung Composer Badge".

Walter caused a particular sensation with a symphony in E flat major composed in 1843/44 (including by the Vienna Philharmonic in December 1847), which "is still untouched by Schumann and is mainly influenced by Beethoven." (Wikipedia)

To my ears it's touched by Beethoven very much, especially in terms of form.

Here are my efforts at bringing a work buried in the past back to life. It's just the first movement but it's a quite masterly opening to the symphony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgUSKaNSecU&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Mark Thomas on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 07:46
A lot more than "touched" by Beethoven I'd say, but none the worse for that. It may not have much individuality but, judging by this powerful and convincing first movement, it's as attractive as Ries' later symphonies, say. Thanks for introducing Walter - do you have any plans to complete the job of resurrecting the symphony?
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: semloh on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 08:00
Thank you! Attractive, as Mark says. The influence of Beethoven is very obvious, and my untutored ear also hears Mendelssohn. Maybe I'm wrong in that because I see that, as far as his Octet for wind is concerned at least, the influence of both Schumann and Mendelssohn is set aside in the very informative notes at:
http://www.editionsilvertrust.com/walter-a-octet.htm  (http://www.editionsilvertrust.com/walter-a-octet.htm)
(The soundbites suggest another most enjoyable work!)

Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 10:33
Yes - thanks indeed. This is a very fine opening movement, strongly influenced by Beethoven, but none the worse for that. Wonder what the rest of the symphony is like...
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Mark Thomas on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 11:54
The full recording of a broadcast of Walter's Octet, referred to by Semloh above, is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW-zDbnYQeo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW-zDbnYQeo). It's an altogether engaging work.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 22:41
I have now listened to the first movement at least four times and find myself appreciating more and more its vitality, variety and sheer memorability. We desperately need to find out whether the remainder of the work lives up to this very fine opening...
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Wednesday 18 December 2019, 23:16
Thanks for the thumbs up.

The movements of this symphony are:

1. Allegro Vivace
2. Andante Cantabile - it's a sort of hymn like theme with variations (Beethoven again)
3. Scherzo 3/4 time (enough said)
4. Finale 2/4 time (?)

I completed the 2nd movement a while ago but need to check it through for dynamics. As for the scherzo I'm half way through - the notes fly by as you can imagine. The Finale - I've yet to discover its delights.

The thing about this work is its crispness and solidity in form. The form is flawless in a classical sense.

Will post with the slow movement soon.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: dhibbard on Thursday 19 December 2019, 04:13
Thank you !!!   Note Performer does an excellent job !
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Mark Thomas on Thursday 19 December 2019, 07:00
That's really good news, thanks in anticipation. The Symphony's first movement really is excellent.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 19 December 2019, 10:46
Yes, agreed. A very fine discovery.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Gareth Vaughan on Thursday 19 December 2019, 11:47
I echo Alan and Mark's opinions. Did he write any more symphonies or is this his only example?
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: eschiss1 on Thursday 19 December 2019, 12:49
Nothing else symphony-wise seems to turn up on Worldcat and I'll have to search ONB more thoroughly later. Lieder, two sets of string quartets, concert overture, capriccio, some other things...
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Friday 20 December 2019, 23:46
The 2nd movement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRtXfch47as

Happy Christmas to all  :)
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Saturday 21 December 2019, 00:27
I think you may have uncovered a masterpiece. This is truly magnificent music.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Saturday 21 December 2019, 00:51
I like it at 6.47 where the key change takes a bizarre twist. I thought it was a mistake but it makes sense.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Mark Thomas on Saturday 21 December 2019, 07:57
I don't think I'd go as far as saying it's a masterpiece, but on the evidence of these two movements it's certainly a fine, rather noble, piece. Thanks, Reverie.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: semloh on Sunday 22 December 2019, 09:55
I agree, it's a fine movement. I would really like to know how it stands in relation to the rest of the symphony. Can the rest be as good, I wonder, and will it all form a unified composition?
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Friday 10 January 2020, 21:39
The third movement - Scherzo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gut0UVZR0zo
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 10 January 2020, 22:40
Another highly convincing movement. Thank you so much for all your work on this. Looking forward to the finale...
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Friday 24 January 2020, 23:11
The Finale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXrl-5-CYkM&feature=youtu.be

It's been a laborious task but worthwhile to unearth such a fine symphony. I hope August is smiling from upon high  :)
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 24 January 2020, 23:30
Absolutely wonderful. Thanks for all your hard work on this magnificent symphony.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Mark Thomas on Saturday 25 January 2020, 07:46
Yes, it really is a strong, strong work. What a discovery, thank you so much.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: dhibbard on Monday 27 January 2020, 03:55
Thank you for working so hard on this project!!    Its really nice to know that we finally have the technology to bring these long lost scores to life.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Monday 27 January 2020, 08:21
Thanks all. There are now a full set of parts to this symphony. If anyone knows any small regional orchestras who would like to put on a performance just send me a PM. I could send the digital / printable copies over.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Monday 27 January 2020, 09:26
May I suggest that you contact Martin Anderson at Toccata Classics, using this contact form:
https://toccataclassics.com/contact/ (https://toccataclassics.com/contact/)
...and sending him links to your renditions of the four movements of the symphony.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: dhibbard on Wednesday 29 January 2020, 06:28
Yes that was I noticed when inputting the Zolotarev Symphony.  There are now a full set of parts to this symphony.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Mark Thomas on Saturday 01 August 2020, 10:54
There are now plans to record this fine symphony, see here (http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,7897.0.html).
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: eschiss1 on Saturday 01 August 2020, 11:11
Good to hear!
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Saturday 01 August 2020, 12:03
A great outcome!
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Saturday 01 August 2020, 21:42
Delighted!
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: John Boyer on Sunday 14 November 2021, 15:46
The E-flat symphony is now available on CD, coupled with a 9-minute concert aria by another Swiss composer.

https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/en/cd/the-treasure-chamber-of-swiss-symphonic-music/ (https://www.schweizerfonogramm.com/en/cd/the-treasure-chamber-of-swiss-symphonic-music/)
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Sunday 14 November 2021, 17:58
See this thread:
http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,7897.90.html
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: John Boyer on Sunday 14 November 2021, 21:29
Hmm.  Somehow I missed that when I searched the threads. 
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Sunday 14 November 2021, 22:22
It doesn't have a very helpful title - apologies.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Reverie on Friday 04 February 2022, 22:15
NEW UPLOAD!!

Konzert-Ouvertüre, Op.16 (1861)

The Concert Overture was composed nine years later than the symphony. The unmistakable stamp of Beethoven is still there especially in the slow introduction.

It runs for about 14 mins - LINK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6xoOY9z-dw
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Alan Howe on Sunday 06 February 2022, 12:48
Fine, sinewy stuff. Very indebted to LvB - and Weber too, I thought - but certainly an envigorating listen overall. Thanks.
Title: Re: August Walter (1821-1896)
Post by: Ilja on Sunday 06 February 2022, 16:25
Thanks Martin, a very enjoyable work. Like Alan, I perceived a very Weberian energy in this piece.