Messages

A new Toccata release for November that includes his String Octet in C major and Octet for strings and winds in B-flat major:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9981806--thieriot-chamber-music-vol-5

When will we see the [hopefully eventual] release of Wilhelm Berger's Symphony in B minor, op. 80? Or will it come from Capriccio? Hänssler?

Great news. I wish Dacapo also would record Launy Grondahl's sole symphony.

... a historical recording of which is available on Danacord with the composer conducting:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/das-launy-groendahl-erbe-vol-2/hnum/10431601
The description gets it wrong of course (must be Symphony Op. 9, not No. 9).

I did hear it, but the mono sound put me off a little (it's not that bad, nevertheless), though the piece does sound quite promising, even barely reminding me of Langgaard in spots.

Yes, I was eyeing it too when it was announced on that site. Very succulent program! I wish they would upload the front cover to make things even more enticing than they already are. Here is the description:

"A genre of high fantasy, complete with its host of ghosts, demons, spirits and witches, usurped the place of the magical elements of Baroque opera in France during the 19th century," writes Alexandre Dratwicki in the introduction to this programme, conceived by the Palazzetto Bru Zane and dedicated to "le fantastique" in French symphonic music between 1850 and 1914. Gounod's La Nonne sanglante, Guiraud's La Chasse fantastique, Carraud's La Chevauchee de la chimere, and Schmitt's Le Palais hante--all these highly evocative titles set the tone, with the mysterious and strange atmosphere reinforced by the instrumentation and orchestration chosen by the composers for these overtures, ballets, or descriptive preludes, as in Hero et Leandre by Augusta Holmes and Ossiane by Marie Jaell--two unjustly forgotten composers whom the Palazzetto Bru Zane is working to bring to the public's attention. Their pieces are recorded here for the first time anywhere in the world. This repertoire is magnificently performed by the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, conducted by Pierre Dumoussaud, now music director of the Opera Orchestre Normandie Rouen.

Great news. I wish Dacapo also would record Launy Grondahl's sole symphony.

Those Hänssler performances are a tad faster than the ones on CPO. It would be interesting to compare both recordings.

Sorry for my delayed reply. I listened to it on Qobuz. On YouTube is the same, very low volume.

That flattering review doesn't mention a crucial element I reckon: the sound quality of that recording is awful. I have to turn the volume up to hear the pieces decently and even so, the piano is not well captured at all and it shows. It's a pity because this part of Widor's work is something I was curious about, but the sonics just put me off.

Thank you so much, tuatara!

Thank you, Ilja. I keep my fingers crossed. They probably already recorded those works and, as you say, they're just waiting and making us impatient! 

Other projects I hope they'll complete in the near future are Röntgen and Badings' symphony cycles and Rubinstein's string quartets.

Does anyone know what has happened with the rest of his symphonies from this label? Can anyone contact CPO or anyone related to them in order to know about that? Once I sent them an email and it was never responded. Thank you.

@emi122 thank you so much!

[Carl Frühling: Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, op. 30 (1892)]

Sorry if my reasons don't have the technical degree to explain in detail why each work deserves to be in my list, but here it goes:


Carl Frühling: Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, op. 30 (1892)

Quite simply put, this is a towering masterpiece of the highest inspiration. The 1st movement alternates between decided passion and sophisticated lyricism. The lovely 2nd movement exhibits some endearing and tender melodic ideas. The 3rd movement contains the mischievous and playful writing, it's a complete delight from start to finish. And finally, in the 4th movement appears some fine counterpoint and the sparkling ideas don't cease to emerge, ending in a rousing fashion. Every chamber aficionado should check out this spectacular piece.


Othmar Schoeck: String Quartet in C major, op. 37 (1923)

One of the most singular quartets I know which doesn't sound like any other composer. The 1st movement already shows an interesting development. Some rhythmic gestures near the 9' are very cool. The 2nd movement is marked Allegretto tranquillo, but it doesn't have that countenance to me; rather, it's got a sort of nervous temperament to some extent and some effects like depicting the wind blowing. The 3rd movement features piquant pizzicato along with a sensuous and exotic air in some spots. The 4th movement is the proper slow one, providing a sense of intimacy and contemplation, whereas the final 5th one flows agile and rhythmically alive. A very original piece without a doubt.


Franco Alfano: Concerto for piano trio (1932)

This work features a strong feeling of melancholy in the 1st movement I find quite poignant and eloquent, not without its moments of tension. The 2nd movement is aptly marked Allegretto fantastico, showing plenty of gracefulness and quirky gestures. The last movement reminds me of Moeran a little. I perceive an English vibe here quite reminiscent of that geographical zone, perhaps due to the modal writing (?). An exciting movement overall. This is his best chamber composition in my opinion.

Interesting thread and choices so far. I'm giving my selections later.

I liked how the narrative unfolded on Sir John Falstaff. I was engaged from start to finish. Some parts reminded me of Dukas's L'Apprenti Sorcier. A colourful score that can grow on the listener. The Symphony No. 2 didn't disappoint either, except for the meandering 2nd movement which I felt too unfocused and going nowhere. Its hazy atmosphere kind of works, but it is just too much of the same. Anyway, a very welcome release. I hope CPO will record his symphony Nr. 1 at some point.