Recording of Raff's Samson

[Justin]

I was definitely patronizing. 

But seriously, I'm sure there are factors we don't know about, such as cost margins for the label and expenses for the length of the recording sessions.

Looking forward to it nonetheless. I'll be contributing $150 to support the project. If I lived in Switzerland and was able to attend the concert, it would certainly be more. Very glad they are bringing Raff's lesser-known works to light with professional quality.

[John Boyer]

[...] I've never seen a one where the lowest tier to get the product is such an investment compared to the eventual probable retail price of it.

It's meant to be a contribution.

[Justin]

Good news! The Wemakeit campaign has reached it goal with still a day to go, so it looks like the recording is going to go forward.

[Alan Howe]

Excellent news!

[Ebubu]

I would happily pre-order a set if it helps finance the recording costs. Some gaming companies do this. At GMT games, for example, they have a program called "P500". A new game is proposed and if a certain number of gamers subscribe to its production (500 in this case) they go ahead with the project.

It's nothing recent really. Opera Rara has functionned on this economic scheme from the start, with a subscription model to finance upcoming projects.... Now, of course, they have diversified their funding and have acquired a larger visibility, but...

[Justin]

I received Schweizer Fonogramm's newsletter today and the studio recording of the opera took place from August 29 to September 4. The album will contain 3 discs and be released "next winter," so I presume that means late 2024/early 2025. Our fellow forum member Frédéric Angleraux will be doing the mixing and editing!

Very much looking forward to this release.

[Alan Howe]

It's great news that the recording's in the can. Thanks.

'Im kommenden Winter' (=  lit. 'in the coming winter') is somewhat ambiguous as it might also be translated 'next winter'. It would be interesting to know what our friend Fred at Schweizer Fonogramm says about a possible release date - if he is permitted to do so, that is.

[Alan Howe]

Dear Fred,

Have you any firm news about a release date for Samson? We're all very much looking forward to this important release!

[Rainolf]

Having heard the performance in Bern I can say that it was superior to the Weimar performance last year in every respect. The singers were first rate, even in the smaller roles, and everyone sang the text perfectly, the native German speakers as well as the singers of other mother tongues. As I heard in the theatre the recording is scheduled to be released in December.

The performance was not complete, but the recording, which was made during the week before, will contain the unperformed music, too.

[Alan Howe]

the recording is scheduled to be released in December.

Aha! Not next winter, but this coming winter. A great Christmas gift...

[Justin]

Great to hear. Schweizer Fonogramm is doing a tremendous service to Swiss Romantic music, let alone Unsung Composers in general.

[Mark Thomas]

Indeed they are, Justin. Samson for Christmas is a great prospect!

[adcsound]

Dear friends,

It's been a long time since my last post. I had to finish another Swiss production for Schweizer Fonogramm dedicated to Othmar Schoeck just after the recording of Samson...

I'm now editing the opera and it sounds fantastic. We did it in 5 days, one day per act.
The Bern Symphony Orchestra is really excellent. They only had two rehearsals before (including my soundcheck). The choir was very well prepared and contributed to the quality of the takes, as did the stage orchestra.
In order to optimise time (2 services per day) I opted to work in sections with a reading, work on that section and then the takes.
As for the soloists, they all gave their best (as did the whole team) and I have to say that this opera has really taken an artistic and emotional way that I didn't find when it was broadcast from Weimar... Sorry.
So I'm very happy with the takes I have.

I'm working on it and it's my main job for the incoming weeks. I have no idea when will be the release, but under the Christmas tree this year seems a bit short... It's a lot of work and it'll take as long as it takes, I have no pressure to finish, my goal is to do it the best I can with what I have.
I think the label also needs more time than usual to manage the booklet, the packaging and finally the production. End of january or february looks more serious to me.

On verra!

Some few pictures and one small handy video.
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson00.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson01.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson02.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson03.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson04.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson05.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson06.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson07.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Samson08.jpg
http://www.adcsound.ch/VideosPhotosDocuments/UnsungComposer/Christian_Magnus_Olena.mp4

Salutations de Bern,

Fred.

[Alan Howe]

This is wonderful news, Fred - thanks for all the information and links. We greatly look forward to the release of Samson, perhaps in New Year 2024. But do take your time!

[Mark Thomas]

I can only echo what Alan has written. It's great news.