Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 06 July 2016, 18:02

Title: Gustav Helsted (1857-1924) Decet & String Quartet
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 06 July 2016, 18:02
...forthcoming from DaCapo:
http://www.mdt.co.uk/helsted-decet-and-string-quartet-randers-kammerorkester-david-riddell-dacapo.html (http://www.mdt.co.uk/helsted-decet-and-string-quartet-randers-kammerorkester-david-riddell-dacapo.html)
Title: Re: Gustav Helsted (1857-1924) Decet & String Quartet
Post by: matesic on Thursday 07 July 2016, 09:46
Out of 5 string quartets, three of them numbered, Da Capo have chosen the last, unnumbered string quartet Op.33 in F minor. This happens to be the only one with parts available on imslp, plus a slightly chaotic rendition which plays 2 minutes shorter than the new recording (this is what I was hoping would happen, and I don't mind conceding "premiere recording" status!). The date (1922) and style are perhaps a bit modern for this forum.
Title: Re: Gustav Helsted (1857-1924) Decet & String Quartet
Post by: matesic on Thursday 07 July 2016, 10:17
I just registered that in the new recording the string quartet is apparently played on string orchestra. I can see how that might work pretty well (and why some tempi are on the slow side) but we still need an authentic premiere recording!
Title: Re: Gustav Helsted (1857-1924) Decet & String Quartet
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 07 July 2016, 11:32
It's the earlier (1891) Decet that I'm primarily interested in...
Title: Re: Gustav Helsted (1857-1924) Decet & String Quartet
Post by: eschiss1 on Thursday 07 July 2016, 14:10
There's a (freely-with-conditions etc) downloadable score-or-parts of the Decet (will check when I'm back later, in a rush now) at the Danish Library, see OCLC Reference here (http://www.worldcat.org/title/decet-for-fljte-obo-clarinet-fagot-horn-2-violiner-viola-violoncel-og-contrabas-op-18-komp-1891/oclc/871308559).
Title: Re: Gustav Helsted (1857-1924) Decet & String Quartet
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 07 July 2016, 17:22
Audio samples are now available here:
http://www.dacapo-records.dk/en/recording-gustav-helsted-decet--string-quartet-in-f-minor.aspx (http://www.dacapo-records.dk/en/recording-gustav-helsted-decet--string-quartet-in-f-minor.aspx)
Absolutely nothing to frighten the horses there. BTW the String Quartet was probably written in 1917.
Title: Re: Gustav Helsted (1857-1924) Decet & String Quartet
Post by: matesic on Thursday 07 July 2016, 17:35
I should have said, manuscript score and parts of the Decet are also on imslp, possibly from the same source that Eric has located. The score looks like it could be the composer's autograph (i.e. barely legible) but the parts are in an exceptionally clear copyist's hand.