Moszkowski on BBC Radio 3

[Mark Thomas]

Moszkowski is BBC Radio 3's Composer of the Week next week, which means five hour long programmes Monday-Friday with a repeat later in the day. As far as I can tell there are no new performances - everything comes from CDs.

I have nothing at all against Moszkowski and always find his music enjoyable, but he is surely a second-rater amongst unsungs compared with the likes of Raff, Draeseke and [insert your favourite nominee for unsung greatness here]. How perverse of the BBC to ignore, say, the 125th anniversary of Raff's death a couple of years ago and then give over 10 hours in one week to Moszkowski!

Bitter? Me?

[Alan Howe]

No, it's simply random programming. The thinking is that beyond the canon of great composers there are simply second-raters, from whom one might choose anyone for such a series of programmes. The fact that there are great composers beyond the accepted canon wouldn't enter their thinking.

[Steve B]

Mark,I know we have agreed to differ on this( ; but running down Moszkowski when we have the (RARE) joy of a whole week of programmes, with biographical info. too; AND complete performaces of the Violin and Piano Concerti into the bargain. To me Raff is not a greater composer or a "greater" composer. I find him overestimated on these forums, am afraid; though i am fond of him.. Draeseke, I DO agree with you; the "Symphonia Tragica" is deep, dark, and, possibly great/"great"(the quotation marks indicate shorthand for the usual debates on what is greatness in art.) I remember the nub of it, for you, was that Moszkowski's emotion was somewhat manufactured or synthetic(correct if i misremember:)). But we obviously disagree on what constitutes valid emotional expression in music. To me, the 2 aforementioned concerti are full of the most VALID type of emotion, heartfelt, pulls the heart strings, therefore direct; and they are taughtly constructed, beautiful works, full of memorable ideas, with the slow movement of the VC achieving what, to me (ME ONLY!) is greatness: a depth of ache, in the central section,where everything pauses for a few desolate drumbeats, and then one of the most beautiful in all music melodies(to ME, again) returns. To ME, this is greatness to outdo anything by Raff(sorry:)) and to equal, in its own, equally valid, but different to draeseke's grim emotional, way.

But, as we used to debate so endlessly, and usually with goodwill, and enjoyment, a lot is personal taste.

But u got my gander up re Moszkowski.

That the BBC is spending a week on one of the most consistently good of the unknown Romantics is marvellous; and, in the bigger than personal scale, we should CELEBRATE Moritz's special week.

Steve

p.s This could lead to a debate on what is "higher" emotion in particualar; not so much "great" art in general. I would take the position, if it moves me, it moves me.....

P.P.S I would (even!)be pleased if Raff was this week's composer

[Alan Howe]

Yep, it's lovely to have Moszkowski. But, with the exception of the VC, I can't place him all that high in the pantheon. Mind you, the VC is a marvellous piece - although no more so than Raff VC1, surely. However, as you say, we can debate this for ever...

[JimL]

I just hope the performance of the VC is the Hyperion rather than the old Louisville Orchestra one with Rosand and Mester!   I wonder if those old LPs have ever been burned to disc?

[Alan Howe]

My performance is the one on Koch, coupled with Godard's VC2. It's superb.

[Mark Thomas]

I knew that I was being contentious when I wrote the original post! We've debated the relative merits of various composers over the years and will continue to do so, no doubt. Thanks Steve for taking my Moskowski-bashing in such a generous way. Just for that I won't rise to your Raff-bashing bait. Just this once, mind!