Members may like to know that the bicentenary will be marked by several events notably at the Holywell Rooms Oxford on 5th February and 13th April; the RAM on 11th, 18th, 26th, 29th February and 1st March; CUMS in Cambridge 1st March; Orpington Symphony Orchestra on 5th March; Conway Hall on 10th April; The Sterndale Singers Sheffield on 16th April; Marlow URC on 21st April; Hatchlands on 23rd April and 4th May; Woking Concert Society 8th May; an RCM Study Day on 30th June and several lectures to member groups of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies through the year.
He will be the subject of Composer of the Week 11-16th April on BBC Radio 3 and articles will appear in BBC Music Magazine, Choir & Organ, The Journal of the British Music Society, BRIO and Nineteenth Century Music Review.
Thanks for that news, Tom. It looks to me like it's being recognised quite generously.
I wonder if it also be marked by the release of some new CDs.
No chance of Piano Concerto no. 6 being finally published to celebrate?
Is the unfinished score of "Zion" still extant? I hope that some neglected works will be unearthed.
I know of three new CD's being negotiated and will provide details as soon as they are confirmed.
It will not include the 6th piano concerto as this remains unavailable
Talking to those who organised the bicentenary I can report that during 2016 there have been just over 100 concerts in the UK and in 7 countries abroad featuring his works, 14 articles in musical journals, several lectures mainly at the behest of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies, displays at the RAM and the Bodleian in Oxford, He was featured on BBC Radio 3 as Composer of the Week 11-16 April which drew much interest not least in four little known anthems recorded specially for the occasion by the BBC Singers. The first three piano concertos have been re-recorded by Howard Shelley for Hyperion due for release in 2017 as is the Piano Sonata No 1 Op 13 played by Hiro Takenouchi for Artelinna.
QuoteThe first three piano concertos have been re-recorded by Howard Shelley for Hyperion due for release in 2017
Oh, that
is good news. Shelley's great in this sort of repertoire.
I'm assuming you mean that PCs 1-3 are to be recorded again, but not that Shelley has recorded them before.
The pianist in Unicorn's pioneering series (one disc recently reissued I think) was Binns and I think Shelley hasn't recorded them (commercially?...)
(Right, aside from #4 9 years ago)
Exactly.
My unclear wording. You are correct. Howard Shelley has just recorded PCs I, 2 and 3. The original was done by Malcolm Binns some 30 years ago.
Any news regarding the release of the excellent concertos by Sterndale Bennett - PC 1 - 3. I'm curious as to whether these will be a part of the Romantic Piano Concerto series.
If they are Hyperion recordings they won't be released until sometime next year (probably second half) as there are other disks in that series scheduled for release up to the end of 2017 and into early 2018.
To make things clear: Malcolm Binns recorded the first five Sterndale-Bennett piano concertos thirty years ago. Number 4 was on Unicorn Kanchana and the other four on Lyrita. Hyperion recorded number 4 coupled with a concerto by Bache , who had been a Sterndale-Bennett pupil. They have now recorded concertos 1,2,& 3. These will be released next year. This leaves Hyperion the option at some time in the distant future of recording the 5th and the 6th which is a concertino. Members will know of the issues surrounding the the 6th. I thought the Bache concerto was rather better than the Sterndale-Bennett but haven't played them for some time. I would like to see the other Bache works recorded.
Going off topic Hyperion's next release in the series is Bronsart, followed by Sacheverall Coke. (pronounced Cook according to family)
Still off-topic. Thanks, Giles. Can you tell us any more about the Bronsart recording and what the coupling will be? If so, I'll start a new thread...
I hate to disagree but according to the Hyperion website Vol. 72 is Potter, followed by Vol. 73, which, according to the Simon Callaghan's website, are the Sacheverell Coke Concertos https://ncms.imgix.net/simon/LBe5vJKmmDh9aSR3Q?w=1920 (https://ncms.imgix.net/simon/LBe5vJKmmDh9aSR3Q?w=1920). The Bronsart might follow that !?!
You're correct, it is me getting things in the wrong order. I should write things down when I hear them. My point really was that SB would not be released this year.
A piece of ephemera: Dr Peter Horton of The RCM has prepared new performing editions of the third and fourth concertos. It is hoped that these will be used for a performance and possible recording on Sterndale-Bennett's Broadwood piano. Here lies the problem, it is not in a playable condition. Broadwood are happy to restore it and unbelievably still have suitable contemporary parts. The owner of the piano hasn't the funds to pay for it, which would amount to several thousand pounds.
Below I have copied and pasted the information I originally posted elsewhere on this site:
Piano and Orchestra
Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.1 1832
Piano Concerto No.2 in E flat Op.4 1833
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor Op.9 1834
Piano Concerto No.4 in F minor Op.19 1838
Piano Concerto No.5 in F minor Wo.32 1836 This was written before number 4 and set aside.
Piano Concerto No.6 in A minor Wo.48 1843-8 (concertstuck) In private hands and not available for performance or recording.
Piano Concerto for two pianos, one movement only. 1835. Joint composition with George Macfarren 1813-1887. I understand that this piece is best left 'buried'
Adagio in G minor Wo.27 1834
Caprice in E major Op.22 1838
A Stroll Through the Meadows Wo.37 1838
Why is it [Concerto for 2 Pianos] best left buried?
Presumably because it does not show the composer at his best.
I understand it is a very poor piece. I am aware that it has been looked at by several interested parties. His piano concertos and some of the solo piano works are his best works.