Josef Holbrooke Symphonic Poems

[Pengelli]

Beecham described Holbrooke as being handicapped by
'a total want of critical faculty',didn't he.

[Pengelli]

Not that I agree,of course.

[Gareth Vaughan]

There may well have been something in what Beecham said, though he was prone to exaggeration. Nevertheless, Beecham championed Holbrooke's music and conducted quite a lot of it - not least, the "Cauldron" trilogy of operas. And it was Beecham who accompanied Holbrooke to France to secure a bass sarrusaphone player for "Apollo and the Seaman". He also praised Josef's ability to write a "big, heartfelt tune".

[Mark Thomas]

Gareth, have you had any feedback from cpo on how sales of the CD are going and, in particular, whether we can anticipate any more?

[sdtom]

There is one customer for sure on this side of the pond.

Thomas

[Gareth Vaughan]

No direct feedback from CPO yet; I will email Franz Groborz and see what he has to say. But Jean Holbrooke told me about a month ago that they had asked her if she had orchestral parts for the Symphony No. 3 "Ships",  The Raven, and the Variations on "Auld Lang Syne". She has, of course - but Jean is too schooled in disappointment in these matters and warned: "Don't get your hopes up. It's only an enquiry." That would be a great disk, however.

[Pengelli]

If Bantock can do it so can Holbrooke;although his muse
is darker and,perhaps,more idiosyncratic.

[Pengelli]

His obsession with Poe might help attract a following.

[sdtom]

You would think that the Poe tie in would be a natural.  I hope that the enquiry will result in another CD.  I liked the playing and recording from CPO.

[Mark Thomas]

Yes, let's hope that it's not "nevermore"...

[Pengelli]

Boom!Boom! Good one Mark! The tone poem gets the
atmosphere of the poem,perfectly.

[sdtom]

Well done Mark

[Pengelli]

Is Holbrooke's book, 'British Composers' worth getting
hold of, I wonder? I keep thinking about buying it.

[Gareth Vaughan]

I think so. It will give you a good idea of the old boy's pugnacious style!

[sdtom]

Is Holbrooke's book, 'British Composers' worth getting
hold of, I wonder? I keep thinking about buying it.

I'll have to look for it at the library and see.  Is there a chapter about himself?  I was just paging through another (don't remember name of author) and I think it was 20th century British composers and Josef wasn't included.

Thomas