Max Chop (1862-1929)

[Wheesht]

Chop was born in Greußen and at first studied law and finances at the universities of Jena and Leipzig where he already became active as a writer on music and critic. He then moved to Berlin and, on the advice of Liszt, took up the study of music. He was a prolific writer. He was the editor for many years of "Signale für die musikalische Welt", wrote variously about Delius and was also the author of biographies of Bungert, Reznicek and others.
In his younger years he also composed, for example three piano concertos, the first, in G major, and the third, in e, apparently only exist(ed?) in manuscript form, the second, in c minor, was published by Parrhysius Berlin.
Other works include:
- Two orchestral suites for large orchestra in five movements: "Der Heimat", (held by the Staatsbibliothek Berlin) and "Italien"
- Symphonic variations for piano (held by the Staatsbibliothek Berlin)

Hugo Kaun dedicated his second piano concerto to Chop.

The German wikipedia entry on Chop is here.

[Alan Howe]

Wow - yet another completely unfamiliar name (at least, to me!)

[Wheesht]

As a composer he was a complete unknown to me as well until very recently, I only knew of him as the editor of Signale für die musikalische Welt.

[Alan Howe]

I assume that his surname would be pronounced 'Shop' - it's rather unusual.

[Wheesht]

I was wondering about the pronunciation as well. Wikipedia has this: [kʰoːp]

[Alan Howe]

Wikipedia has this: [kʰoːp]

Indicating a long 'o' sound?

[Wheesht]

Yes, I'd say so, a bit like 'caup'.
Try this: https://ipa-reader.com

[Alan Howe]

So, the 'ch' is a relatively hard sound. Unlike 'chips' (=crisps) which, in my experience of relatively pure standard German, is pronounced 'ships'. Curious.

[Wheesht]

It is a curious name. I wonder if there is anybody called Chop living in Germany today.
I have often heard Germans pronounce China as 'sheena', whereas in Austrian German it's 'kheena'...

[Alan Howe]

I would pronounce it 'Sheena' too!

[Gareth Vaughan]

Ok. Where are the man's manuscripts? That's what I want to know.