Léon Boëllmann Symphony & orchestral works, on Fuga Libera

[Sharkkb8]

A recording of Boëllmann's Symphony in F major will be released by Fuga Libera, accompanied by a couple of other orchestral works.  Amazon USA lists 9 July.  Not yet at Presto, Amazon UK just quotes "2021" at this point.  Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, conducted by Patrick Davin.

https://smile.amazon.com/Orchestral-Works-Boellmann-Davin-Demarquette/dp/B0955HN5RG/ref=sr_1_165?dchild=1&qid=1622332918&refinements=p_n_date%3A1249114011&rnid=1249111011&s=music&sr=1-165

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orchestral-Works-Davin/dp/B0955HN5RG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Orchestral+Works+boellmann&qid=1622333296&s=music&sr=1-1-catcorr

"Léon Boëllmann's Suite Gothique, with its suave Prière à Notre-Dame and its spirited Toccata, rapidly became a beloved war-horse of organists throughout the world and gained the composer great renown. The Suite's fame, however, caused other works by Boëllmann ― who had been born in the same year as Debussy and who died in the same year as Brahms ― to be forgotten. Patrick Davin chose to present Boëllmann's symphonic works on this recording, the last he was to make before his untimely death."

[Justin]

It's always good news when a label takes a chance to release something unsung. I have always enjoyed the radio recording with Howard Williams and the Ulster Orchestra, so it will be nice to finally hear this in a different performance with studio quality.

[eschiss1]

Agreed!

[Mark Thomas]

It's a fine example of a Franckian symphony which, like others, I've enjoyed over the years in the old BBC recording. I too really welcome an up to date recording of it.

[jdperdrix]

I do have a CD version of this symphony, by a local orchestra, "Les musiciens de la Prée (orchestre en résidence au Théâtre de Poissy)" (Poissy is a small town in the suburbs of Paris), also known as "Orchestre de l'Alliance", conducted by Pejman Memarzadeh. It's a public concert, and the CD is confidential. I can't even remember how I found it! But it's pretty good and it's remarkable that a semi-professional orchestra performed such a neglected work.
By the way, I saw it on ebay.
I'm looking for any other performance.

[Alan Howe]

[Mark Thomas]

Thanks, Alan. The Variations are for cello and orchestra and last about twelve minutes.

[Alan Howe]

I have ordered it from HMV in Japan as an occasional extravagance - release date 24th June:
https://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Boellmann-Leon-1862-1897_000000000027168/item_Symphony-Symphonic-Variations-Etc-Davin-Mulhouse-So-Demarquette-Vc_11897557

[Alan Howe]

And very nice-sounding this is too:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/sinfonie-in-f-dur-variations-symphon-fuer-celllo/hnum/10551279

[Sharkkb8]

For downloaders, Apple Music now has this recording, "pre-release".  No specific date quoted, but presumably July 9, in line with cd release at Amazon & elsewhere.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/bo%C3%ABllmann-symphonie-en-fa-majeur-variations-symphoniques/1567545019

[dmitterd]

I am very much looking forward to hearing this disc when it arrives. A sad point to note, conductor Patrick Davin passed away last September.

cheers,
Daniel

[Alan Howe]

...and he was only 58.

[alberto]

The Symphonic Variations were recorded by no less than Paul Tortelier (son Yan Pascal conducting) joint to rather famous works on an LP (in the Cd release two sung pieces for cello and orchestra were added - conductors Boult and Previn).

[Alan Howe]

Excerpts here:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/sinfonie-in-f-dur-variations-symphon-fuer-celllo/hnum/10551279

[Justin]

Just purchased the download from Presto Classical today and was able to listen to the whole album: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8917737--boellmann-symphonie-en-fa-majeur-variations-symphoniques-quatre-pieces-breves

Sound quality is excellent and in my opinion, this recording blows away the Ulster version of the Symphony. My favorite moment is the solemn "organ-like" passage about two thirds through the first movement. It's amazing how clear sound can bring out the qualities of a work, just as the proper interpretation by an orchestra can.

According to the booklet, these works were recorded back in January 2018. A planned release by Timpani fell through, but Davin was committed to finding a new label. I am glad that his legacy includes this fine album even if he is only with us to witness this release in spirit.