Request for assistance

[JimL]

I think the idea, chill319 (is it Christopher?) was major works, not overtures or short pieces.  Not to mention that, as John pointed out, you're bringing up repertory works that (in the case of Dukas) are the only things keeping the composer in the concert hall regularly.  His friend was looking for stuff like the Dukas Symphony in C, not The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

[eschiss1]

How about Nepomuceno's symphony in G minor? Published in 1938, Fleisher has score and parts, the question is whether or not there's typeset (in the sense of moveable-type, not computer-typeset) score and parts both anywhere. There's been an LP and a CD, I think, both of limited distribution, but the work is still, like the composer, rather unsung- if quite good (a recording of it was uploaded here awhile back, I believe...)

[sdtom]

A couple of works that I came up with that I believe fit the criteria are Rott's Symphony in E major and Kalinnikov's Symphony No. 1 in G minor. Both composers and works are definitely unsung and fit the time frame you're looking for.

[MartinH]

Although neither Rott or Kalinnikov appear in concert programs that much, they are hardly "truly" unsung. Both symphonies have been recorded many times, though invariably by second-tier orchestras. I wish Berlin, Vienna, London, New York et al would take up either, I won't hold my breath.

[Alan Howe]

Actually, the Kalinnikov has been recorded by the superlative Malaysian PO (BIS) and the Rott by the equally superlative Frankfurt RSO (RCA). I frankly doubt whether the standard of execution on either CD could be exceeded by the so-called great names of the orchestral world. Nevertheless, I too would like to see these works get higher profile exposure in the concert world.

[eschiss1]

The Rott, btw, is being performed (twice- in London, and in Basingstoke) in April 2016 by Simon Rattle conducting the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (using, I assume and hope, instruments either modern or sounding anyway of a generation no older than would be expected in Rott's time...) The London concert is described as "Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Sir Simon Rattle conducts Bruckner" (Bruckner 6, which besides Brahms' Tragic Ov. is the rest of the program.)

(Looking at the same site on which I learned of that concert, I see a concert with some Eugen d'Albert - his overture to Esther- this evening in Glasgow. Neat

[MartinH]

Now that's something - Rattle, one of the preeminent conductors of our time, doing something like the Rott. Given his Mahler creds, I suppose it's a natural.

I meant no disrespect to Frankfurt or Malaysia regarding their fine orchestras, and it would be hard to imagine any of the so-called majors improving on their performances. By second-tier I just mean in terms of public profile and likely their budgets.  I am delighted to see Rattle doing the Rott, and nothing against the OAE, but boy, wouldn't it have said something if he did it with Berlin or London or Vienna?

[eschiss1]

Rattle's also conducted (and recorded) Suk (Asrael), Szymanowski (recorded sym.3 & Stabat Mater, is performing vn.conc. 2 this year- hrm- wonder if that signals a recording?...) - among others... but yes, usually with the Berlin Philh, these days, it's true.
(Oh, apparently he's only doing the Scherzo of the Rott- in London or in Basingstoke, according to the descriptions of the programs there. Ah well!!!!!!)

[FBerwald]

are Glazunov's symphonies featured in concert halls? Else Id like to suggest No. 4, 5, 6 as they are really fine works.... But then I am a Glazunov fan  

[Alan Howe]

Rattle's also conducted (and recorded) Suk (Asrael)

He may have conducted it (I haven't checked), but he certainly hasn't recorded it.

[Ilja]

FBerwald, Glazunov isn't an unsung in German concert halls; I've seen the Sixth appear about three times in concert programmes over the past years. And of course in Russia he's pretty much part of the repertory.

[eschiss1]

Re Rattle and Suk- misremembered something I'd read. He's conducted it (with the CBSO, and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1993 to predictably poor reviews- of the music anyway...) but you seem to be right as to the rest.
(Likewise, Roger Norrington took up an Onslow symphony on tour some years back, as I recall, but didn't record that either... Then again, I'm guessing the only reason we have Kubelik's account of Suk's Asrael, which I'm told may be one of the best released to date*, is because radio tapes were preserved or somesuch, not because of an active decision to record it for release...)

*And which I do look forward to hearing, but I realize the whole Suk-thing, or 99% of it, gets us offtrack. (Though I remember when that work seemed as wholly unsung- and not just to a general classical audience- as Shostakovich's (then) recently re-re-discovered 4th symphony , back in the 1990s... anyway, anyway. Apologies again!!...)

[Ilja]

Eric, that review didn't seem that harsh at all to me. In fact, I don't mind a critical appraisal of the music; what I do object to is not talk about a piece's strenghts and weaknesses at all, and only focus on performance. That practice often makes it seem as though critics will judge anything unfamiliar to them as 'lesser' music.

[eschiss1]

Fair enough, fair enough, of course! And I admit to some doubts about the cogency of parts of the symphony that I hope will be somewhat, if not wholly, resolved by , of course, more listens, some of them with the now-available score in front of me (something which sometimes helps a lot...), maybe some live performances too (haven't, yet.)
(I also admit shamefacedly that I don't know which theme it is in the Asrael symphony (the Asrael or Death theme?...) that at least one later composer- Ullmann - quotes in one of his last works (the opera The Emperor of Atlantis, I think.) with, as at least one writer put it, the expectation that the very musical/artistic audience at Terezin would readily recognize the theme, the reference, its significance, Suk's music having been much more a part of their culture than it is of ours...)

[sdtom]

Actually, the Kalinnikov has been recorded by the superlative Malaysian PO (BIS) and the Rott by the equally superlative Frankfurt RSO (RCA). I frankly doubt whether the standard of execution on either CD could be exceeded by the so-called great names of the orchestral world. Nevertheless, I too would like to see these works get higher profile exposure in the concert world.

Exactly my point. The question dealt with concert hall performances. I had no idea of the popularity of Rott in EU. America is another story. The Kalinnikov would be a good choice and based on the popularity of the performance the second symphony could be performed the following. Have any of you ever heard Kalinnikov live?