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Before interest on the subject calms, two more prominent Harpist-Composers Im deeply curious about are John Thomas and Charles Oberthur. Hardly any work by either that Ive heard is not melodic, and euphonious. Years ago, when Chandos had an open forum much like this one, I appealed to them to espouse the cause of both of these men, as either native(Thomas), or having lived their life and career here(Oberthur). Both wrote Harp and Orchestra works( Concertos, Overtures), and many chamber works. Though theyve both been generously revived with regard to solo pieces, many of even those works remain unrecorded. Prominent Harpist, Silke Aichhorn, has a Youtube Channel featuring some of her performances. I recently left a comment about this there, appealing directly to an active performer who also has a nice pattern of exploring lesser-known harpists.

Mention of the Musica Bavarica Label in a post on the entry for Puchtler instantly reminded me that Ive known for such a long time that one release in their catalogue contains Franz Lachners Harp Concerto in D minor. Ive always wondered about it, and would love to hear it. Lachner is a favorite for me, as are Romantic Harp Concertos. So, it could be very promising. Has anyone here heard or purchased it? Is Musica Bavarica a source from which CD's are easily obtainable?

Today is Loewes birthday. In thinking of him, I searched online, and found that his Oratorio, "Johann Huss" was just performed a month ago in Berlin. Happily, we've had his rare E-minor symphony posted here. I know another Oratorio, and an Opera, and, assessing from those, some of his finest inspiration emanates from the Soloists, Choir, and Orchestra genre.Could anyone find out any more about the October 27 & 28, 2012 performances? Of course, wouldn't it be exciting if those performances generated a recording? I value and care about Loewe and his music greatly.Did you know that as a boy, he sang the Queen of the Nights aria in Mozarts The Magic Flute? Developing a fine tenor voice as a man, he and his wife sang the parts in many of his Oratorios. If you enjoy Loewe, wish him Happy Birthday today.

I'd like to reveal this internet site and recording company to those of us who will be very excited to know it, if you don't already. It is intimately associated with Mr. Bonynge who has to be one of the , if not the,most passionate adherents of the music so many of us love and long to have more of.If mathematically he isn't our most prolific champion, surely he is personally, as the   span of his life has resuscitated neglected Romanticism, right up to this moment. A  compilation of Opera overtures has been promised all year.This disc includes overtures by John Barnett, Balfe, Edward Loder,W. V. Wallace, Macfarren, and Goring Thomas. I'd also like you to know  that  at 1900 GMT tomorrow, September 16, a concert at St. Muredach's, Ballina,  will be broadcast  which will feature excerpts from Wallaces  Matilda of Hungary. A link to the broadcast site is given on Victorian Opera Northwests site. Will anyone possibly be able to record this for us? To remember Wallaces anniversary even further,  a concert will be given in Dublin, on October 15. The 2012 Wexford Festival will offer 2 concerts of his songs, on October 25th and November 2nd. On November 28th, Wallace and Bonynge will be honored at an event at Australia House, Strand, London.I wanted to share this information so that those of you who live near enough to any of these locales may not miss these events, if attending is possible for you. All of this information is contained on the news page at Victorian Opera Northwests site, in  greater detail. I knew it would have wide appeal for many members, and that many of you live close enough that attending is a viable possibility.Those happy enough to go can learn and share with the rest of us later! The overture release is supposed to occur in 2012. I hope tomorrows broadcast can be captured by  someone!

 CPO are releasing Symphonies by Gluck(Did we really know they existed?!) as well as  Die Winzerbraut  by Nedbal. Truly, is there anything NOT possible from them? I celebrate their exhaustively generous, catholic approach to music. Each month, we truly can believe that nearly anything we wish for  has the chance of becoming real!  I guess next we insert a remark about what they have given to us, which release meant so much to us, or how much we value them!

I believe we've all  lamented that our favorite composers never composed in a certain medium. Me, I'll go to my grave wishing that Hummel had not been intimidated by Beethoven from essaying symphonies. His composition for orchestra epitomizes "Early Romantic" to me.It's classically-based, but there are new colors that weren't conceived before. Brahms never wrote an Opera. Wagner never penned a (mature) symphony in his characteristic orchestral style. In the era of Field and Hummel, Schubert never created a piano concerto. If you really fantasize, you can envision exotic,really novel  effects like a concerto for oboe & harp, or  bassoon and cello which noone ever composed. Does anyone have a fantasy such as this, a haunting, "What If"? A "What would  a _____ by _______ sound like? Do any members have stories of works which were written but lost, e.g. Beethovens Oboe Concerto? Or works projected by a composer, but never completed, or even started.( Again, Beethoven long contemplated a "Faust" Opera.) With the vivid creativity, learning, and adventurousness pervading this forum, this seemed as if it could be a very enjoyable & educational exercise, causing a little baring of the soul and sharing of knowledge. With so many of these attributes, maybe one of you can find a Hummel symphony in a church belltower for me! ( I know there aren't any, but  "What if.....?!"

The Alchemist has been recorded by Spohr champion, Christian Frohlich, with the Braunschweig State Orchestra, on the Oehms label. Herr Frohlich must be one of us! Hooray for this elegant, noble composer. Due for release April 15. Happy Spring!