Music by Max d'Ollone (1875-1959)

[eschiss1]

How's this?
(Jpc lists a 2-CD recording of Ollone choral music including the latter from Herve Niquet but I assume you are referring to something even newer still- or maybe that since maybe that hasn't been released yet, not positive?... )

[ncouton]

Yes, I'm talking about this disc-book conducted by Hervé Niquet.

[Alan Howe]

I have just received this set - without having realised that it consists not only of two CDs, but a hardback book on the composer and the Prix de Rome. This really shows how an unsung composer and his music can be presented.
The music strikes me very much as Massenet plus, with the shade of Wagner somewhere in the background. If you like the late-Romantic choral/orchestral repertoire, you're going to love this. Utterly gorgeous.

[jerfilm]

If there are those like me who are not especially interested in the hard cover book that accompanies this offering,  Amazon USA now offers the 2 CDs as a download for US$19.98.  It would be nice, however, if they were to include scans of the labels or the page showing what's ON the cds.  The list of movements is not particularly helpful.

Jerry

[petershott@btinternet.com]

And for those who aren't inclined to pursue the cantatas, or buy the two CD set plus book, you might try a Claves disc (I recollect it was released about 10 years ago?) of some orchestral music conducted by the reliable Lawrence Foster.

It contains the Fantaisie for piano & orchestra (quite a little charmer); Lamento (which maybe goes on just a little too long for its short duration); and Le Menetrier for violin & orchestra.

True the music is gorgeous enough (late dense French romanticism with distant Wagnerian murmurings), and you sit there with that 'Gosh, why haven't I heard this music before?' feeling. But then a short time afterwards you become conscious that none of it has much penetrated the mind. I don't know whether that is a comment on the music or my mind.

[Alan Howe]

And for those who aren't inclined to pursue the cantatas, or buy the two CD set plus book, you might try a Claves disc...

A link to this CD is featured in my initial post...

[TerraEpon]

If there are those like me who are not especially interested in the hard cover book that accompanies this offering,  Amazon USA now offers the 2 CDs as a download for US$19.98.  It would be nice, however, if they were to include scans of the labels or the page showing what's ON the cds.  The list of movements is not particularly helpful.

Pft. Feel lucky it tells you who the composer is. Everyone knows the only important thing is the 'artist'. It tells you the 'song' titles, that should be enough!

[Richard Moss]

You've touched on a perenniel thorn there.  Just why most download sites think that treating classical music lovers with contempt (in the way they label and list things) is good for business, who knows!  'Presto' and 'Classical Archives' are a couple of very honourable exceptions.

I must confess I use e-music a lot as they are very cheap at 42 pence per track regardless of length (except for something consisting of lots of short tracks, this is good value) but finding stuff on their web-site (other than obscure composers with few entries) can be a nightmare!

I suspect all these sites use 'artist-oriented' software (and/or staff) and the amount of classical sales doesn't seem to warrant us being treated with respect.  The RED catalogue (or anything similar) as an industry standard would help but I suspect 'fat chance'!

End of rant!

Cheers

Richard

[Richard Moss]

Meant to add this note at the start of my previous note (before Alan/Mark are tempted to censor it as 'off topic').

Having managed recently to find and download the Claves album (from  e-music), it was that which triggered the previous comments (even though in fairness, finding these tracks wasn't too bad).

However, trying to stay true to the theme of this thread, what an absolute delight it has been to listen to this music (several times already).  Not deep music but so pleasant it never feels it has outstayed its welcome.  I can unreservedly recommend a listen (or even a purchase) it to any other member of this forum.

Best wishes

Richard

[jerfilm]

Well, I did get it figured out.  Amazon does show both sides of the box (?) and you can point to it and enlarge it.  I had no luck trying to save it as a jpeg or other photo - too out of focus.  So I kept Amazon up in one window while I renamed the tracks in another.

The choral works is a delightful set - nothing too heavy - I thought i heard hints of Puccini but that's proably my imagination.

All this monkey business was necessary since the track markings give helpful hints like "Prelude"........

J

[Ser Amantio di Nicolao]

Wandering rather far afield here, as I don't know d'Ollone's music (but am always glad of the opportunity to discover someone new), but I honestly suspect it's lack of familiarity with classical music that's the culprit rather than anything else.  If you think about it, classical music is about the only field where the composer's name is generally as important as, if not more than, the title of the piece, or the artist's name (I realize I'm generalizing here, but as the great Dave Barry would say, I don't care.)  And most of our terminology is different - "piece" or "movement" for an individual track, rather than "song".  (How often do I hear someone refer to "my favorite classical song" instead of "piece"?)  It's not lack of respect; I think it's lack of knowledge/understanding.

[StephenSutton]

By pure coincidence I just discovered this site (which is great as lesser-known composers are our main raison-d'etre!) while working on a new CD of piano trios including the d'Ollone Trio in A minor.   Lovely work and my first ever exposure to the composer.   I run Divine Art Records which specialises in rare and new music so I look forward to getting some of our musicans on here for programme inspiration.... and I promise to try not to do too much self-promotion........

[Alan Howe]

Good to have you with us, Stephen.

[Gauk]

I look forward to getting some of our musicans on here for programme inspiration....

Excellent idea!

[petershott@btinternet.com]

If you're working on the d'Ollone Pf Trio then at least this member of the forum wouldn't object in the least to unending self-promotion, Stephen!

Of d'Ollone's chamber music I know just a few works: the early String Quartet in D; the Pf Quartet in E minor; and String Trio in A minor. Each a lovely and immensely satisfying work.

I shall look forward very much to your CD of Pf Trios, including the d'Ollone in A minor. (I don't suppose you can reveal its partners on the forthcoming CD?)