Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: M. Henriksen on Sunday 17 October 2010, 09:18

Title: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: M. Henriksen on Sunday 17 October 2010, 09:18
BIS with a surprising release of orchestral music by Finnish composer Armas Järnefelt (1869 - 1958).
What is very pleasing is the fact that this recording doesn't duplicate the repertoire of the 1996 Sterling disc (at least that's what I can understand from looking at the cover).
So here we have some unsung works to enjoy this autumn!

The new BIS disc:
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Armas-J%E4rnefelt-Symphonische-Fantasie/hnum/4992597 (http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Armas-J%E4rnefelt-Symphonische-Fantasie/hnum/4992597)


Morten
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Alan Howe on Sunday 17 October 2010, 09:46
Yes, I had spotted this CD too. Looks intriguing...
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Mark Thomas on Sunday 17 October 2010, 13:19
Yes, me too. Do we know how "symphonic" the Fantasy is? I was wondering if it, like Phillip Scharwenka's Dramatic Fantasy, is nigh-on a Symphony?
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Syrelius on Sunday 17 October 2010, 19:17
BIS has recorded some unsung Finnish romantic music, including Crusell, Melartin and Kajanus. I'm still hoping that they will record some orchestral music by Toivo Kuula sometime...
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: JimL on Sunday 17 October 2010, 19:57
Quote from: Syrelius on Sunday 17 October 2010, 19:17
BIS has recorded some unsung Finnish romantic music, including Crusell, Melartin and Kajanus. I'm still hoping that they will record some orchestral music by Toivo Kuula sometime...
Crussell is more High Classical, I would think.
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Syrelius on Sunday 17 October 2010, 20:05
Quote from: JimL on Sunday 17 October 2010, 19:57
Crussell is more High Classical, I would think.
Indeed so, or at least late classical. I wrote that one a bit too fast...  :-[
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Syrelius on Monday 18 October 2010, 09:05
There is already a review of the Järnefelt disc on Classicstoday:
http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=13020 (http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=13020)
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Alan Howe on Monday 18 October 2010, 09:37
Thanks! Fairly derivative music, then, but probably a must-buy for fans of this sort of thing...
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Mark Thomas on Monday 18 October 2010, 15:44
It'll certainly be in my collection I think. Thanks for the link Syrelius.
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Ilja on Tuesday 19 October 2010, 16:57
Quote from: Mark Thomas on Sunday 17 October 2010, 13:19
Yes, me too. Do we know how "symphonic" the Fantasy is? I was wondering if it, like Phillip Scharwenka's Dramatic Fantasy, is nigh-on a Symphony?

From what I have seen in score, I'd say: pretty "symphonic". Should be good.
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 20 October 2010, 10:46
Those in the UK interested in this CD may like to know that it will be released here on 29th November (news from Select, the distributors).
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: jerfilm on Tuesday 07 December 2010, 20:07
And it's now available in the colonies as well.  A nice release IMHO.  I would say on the lighter side- the Fantasy doesn't sound much like a symphony to me.  I like the Suite.   I'd say a must buy for unsungers.....
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Alan Howe on Tuesday 07 December 2010, 22:55
I bought the CD - but I'm not very impressed with the music...
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: febnyc on Wednesday 08 December 2010, 13:10
I, too, bought the CD which arrived just the other day (with the Graener). Not a chance yet to listen to it.

I recall the Sterling release of music by this composer - a disc which I no longer own (must have given it away) and the music on which I cannot recall at all.  Hope springs eternal, however, and so I'm giving dear Järnefelt another opportunity to entertain me!
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: Mark Thomas on Wednesday 08 December 2010, 22:34
I found the Symphonic Fantasy rather incoherent and lacking in direction. Not very impressive. The Suite and Serenade are better, but essentially they're collections of "light" music. Very pleasant as far as they go, which isn't very far. All in all this CD was a let down.
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: JollyRoger on Monday 28 November 2011, 06:49

If you want to wade thru the rest of the concert, you can hear the new Jarnefelt at the end of this broadcast:
http://www.concertzender.nl/programmagids.php?date=2011-06-17&month=-5&detail=50217

Quote from: M. Henriksen on Sunday 17 October 2010, 09:18
BIS with a surprising release of orchestral music by Finnish composer Armas Järnefelt (1869 - 1958).
What is very pleasing is the fact that this recording doesn't duplicate the repertoire of the 1996 Sterling disc (at least that's what I can understand from looking at the cover).
So here we have some unsung works to enjoy this autumn!

The new BIS disc:
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Armas-J%E4rnefelt-Symphonische-Fantasie/hnum/4992597 (http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Armas-J%E4rnefelt-Symphonische-Fantasie/hnum/4992597)


Morten
Title: Re: Armas Järnefelt from BIS
Post by: BFerrell on Monday 28 November 2011, 06:56
For Kuula go to www.alba.fi.