Dorothy Howell

[JimL]

So where are you from, Anonee?  Please don't say Anaheim or Orlando!

[jimmattt]

concerto on YouTube with chunk left out of middle, supposed to be recorded along with a piece by Lilian Elkington, Cameo, hope they hurry!

[AnoneeMouse]

So where are you from, Anonee?  Please don't say Anaheim or Orlando!

Hi - I think I've now got the "Quote" function sussed. (!!??)

Me? - oh - here and there; although now UK based again (am Brit thru' and thru' - for my sins), have spent many years outside in connection with my profession ().
The choice of UserName is apposite in that I'm usually to be found to be scurrying around here and there, usually in a dark and damp place (as in the 'mushroom' syndrome! - sorry for mixed metaphor!), fixing this and that, sorting this and that, overhearing lots of gossipy things, squirreling away this and that (there's another one!!).
Am being deliberately vague to add to the 'intrigue'.
But have more than a passing interest in quality music of all genres.

Noticing the thread on Dorothy Howell (and others), which caught my attention, was hoping for more comment from members (who said they were going to be there at the performance) of how it went.
Then I saw the YouTube posts - so mentioned it in the Forum - as nobody else seemed to follow up.
Had seen a prior post from Thalbergmad on Piano Street about him(?) going - so asked how it had gone.

For me - the work isn't going to stop the world spinning, but it seemed a good performance of a notable female English composer's output - and interesting for that after so many years; the orchestra seemed a bit too loud in some passages - almost drowning the soloist (who seemed OK).
Whether the concerto will fall into another 75 years of forgotten neglect is for the world at large to decide.
For me? I hope not.  Work's of all UK composers need remembering - and celebrating.

[thalbergmad]

I never went in the end, nor did i attent the Johnanthan Powell concert the next night. If there was a World change your mind at the last moment Championships, I would stand a good chance of winning.

I have the best of intentions, but the thought of 2 journeys on a cattle truck on rails is usually sufficient to put me off. As a result, I have only been to one concert in London in 10 years, which was my own teacher at the Wigmore, but he hired a coach.

Thal

[AnoneeMouse]

Re: the Howell Concerto
Should have added to my earlier blog above - 'bout my own reaction to the performance on YouTube!
For me it was stunning!
Here's where I'm coming from:-
Based on what I've seen & heard on the YouTube posting:-
The piece opens with a slightly darker, almost Gothic, atmosphere - and as it continues I can discern an occassional Rachmaninovesque feeling about it.
Why is this 'stunning' for me?
Well from my point of view the said Sergei is the 'boss' as far as I'm concerned (I'm aware that this isn't the forum to be extolling his virtues) - but anything in that vein is "OK by me".
Hope this sentiment doesn't upset any sensibilities??!!

[Gareth Vaughan]

the orchestra seemed a bit too loud in some passages - almost drowning the soloist (who seemed OK).

We spent some time in the afternoon rehearsal trying to balance orchestra and soloist and found that, in some places, unless the orchestra completely ignored Dorothy's dynamic markings altogether, the soloist was bound to struggle a bit. The problem, I'm afraid, lies with the composer who has overscored some sections. But, on the whole, I think we did our best. Suffice it to say that Merryn & Columb Howell, Dorothy's niece and nephew respectively, who look after all her music, were extremely pleased and felt that Valentina Seferinova really understood "Aunt Dee's" music.
I do wish you had come, Thal. I was hoping to meet you.

[AnoneeMouse]

the orchestra seemed a bit too loud in some passages - almost drowning the soloist (who seemed OK).

Suffice it to say that Merryn & Columb Howell, Dorothy's niece and nephew respectively, who look after all her music, were extremely pleased and felt that Valentina Seferinova really understood "Aunt Dee's" music.

I guess - that's praise indeed!

[albion]

According to BMS News a recording of the Orion SO concert (11/11/2010) is due for release from Cameo Classics shortly (as CC9042CD), including the Howell Concerto and Holbrooke's Girl I Left Behind Me Variations - this should be one to look out for. 

[jerfilm]

Am I missing something here?  I went to the YouTube locations mentioned above  and could only get the message that "This is a private video".   Can't listen or download.  ?

Jerry

[AnoneeMouse]

Am I missing something here?  I went to the YouTube locations mentioned above  and could only get the message that "This is a private video".   Can't listen or download.  ?

Jerry

Hi Jerry
I suspect the 'unofficial video posting' on YouTube ran into a copyright challenge - probably from Cameo; hence it's listing being changed from 'public' to 'private'.
I guess we'll all have to be patient and await the official release (CD? DVD?) from Cameo Classics themselves.