Unsung Composers

The Music => Composers & Music => Topic started by: Reverie on Tuesday 17 September 2019, 11:26

Title: Jan Blockx
Post by: Reverie on Tuesday 17 September 2019, 11:26
(Yes Blockx with an x at the end not a typo!)

1851-1912 Belgian composer, a leader of the Flemish nationalist school in music. He composed mainly opera but also a few chamber/orchestral works.

His Triptyque Symphonique 1893 has three movements: 1. Jour des morts   2. Noël   3. Pâques

I have completed a working of the 3rd movement Pâques. It's something very different to my ears. I hope you enjoy it.

Moderator's note: This can now be found in the Downloads Board here:
http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,7380.msg77867.html#new (http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,7380.msg77867.html#new)
Title: Re: Jan Blockx
Post by: Lollard on Friday 20 September 2019, 11:08
The RCM has a volume of his piano music and songs (34 in total), at least some of which appear to be unique to that Library: https://rcm.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=&q=D3152*+Blockx (https://rcm.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=&q=D3152*+Blockx). Images of at least the first pages of music are included in the catalogue records.

His name has certainly fascinated me for some time since he appears to have had a lot of music published - including substantial works like operas and symphonies - yet is practically unheard of today. And only one recorded work available on Naxos.
Title: Re: Jan Blockx
Post by: semloh on Saturday 21 September 2019, 00:39
Yes, you rarely come across his music. I just have his very enjoyable Five Flemish Dances on a Marco Polo disc and his Flemish Fair (from Milenka) on a Discover CD (https://www.amazon.com/Salve-Antverpia-Romantic-Symphonic-Antwerp/dp/B00000220E (https://www.amazon.com/Salve-Antverpia-Romantic-Symphonic-Antwerp/dp/B00000220E)).
Lots of interesting information about him and his operatic works at: http://www.401nederlandseoperas.nl/en/component/content/article/311-jan-blockx.html (http://www.401nederlandseoperas.nl/en/component/content/article/311-jan-blockx.html)