Mitja Nikisch PC

[thalbergmad]

I have an original of the score so will see if it has any dates on the covers. I don't think there are any on the score.

Thal

[Gareth Vaughan]

How do I get hold of a copy?

[thalbergmad]

I have uploaded a pdf to Pianophilia old chap. You can download it here http://www.pianophilia.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=75&start=240

Apart from giving the premier performance date of 6th April 1941, there are no dates on the score. Judging by the catalogue number, 1942 would seem to be a reasonable date for publication.

If anyone is worried about copyright and that the entire might of the publishers will descend upon them by clicking on the above link, then best not to.

Concertingly.

Thal

[Gareth Vaughan]

Thank you very much, Thal.

[Wheesht]

I subscribe to a German specialist magazine about dance music of the 1920s, 30s in which there was an article two years ago about Nikisch the dance band leader: It says that he finished his PC in Friaul in summer 1936, when he was  suffering from tuberculosis, unable to work as a performing musician, and dedicated it to his second wife, Barbara. Shortly after, he committed suicide in Venice on 5 August 1941. The PC was first performed on 6 April 1941 with Kostia Konstantinoff (he and Nikisch had been childhood friends) and l'Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire conducted by Charles Münch. According to the the French Wikipedia entry on Konstantinoff, this performance was recorded, but I have not been able to find any proof for this claim. Konstantinoff apparently played the concerto three more times in Paris in that same year.