I note that Naxos next month will be releasing the two early (Opp. 9 and 14) Serenades for String Orchestra by Fuchs. The bank card is poised ready.
Maybe Fuchs has the same role in my world as the slightly earlier Franz Lachner has for John White (but I'm sure John's knowledge of Lachner is far extensive and better grounded than mine of Fuchs!) Nonetheless he is someone who causes endless delight - and besides, I have no less than Brahms on my side since Fuchs is one of the very few composers singled out for praise by Brahms.
Just as John clamours for more Lachner recordings (and he has full support in that), so I clamour out for more Fuchs. And yet a glimpse at the shelves tells me we are reasonably well provided. We have recordings, and mostly good ones, of the 3 Symphonies, the Piano Concerto, all 6 Violin Sonatas, the 2 Cello Sonatas, the 2 Piano Trios, the 2 Piano Quartets, the 4 String Quartets, some of the Piano Sonatas, and the glorious E flat major Quintet.
Hum, simple mathematics tells me that this is more than a fair representation of Fuchs (and we're much better off here than is the case with Lachner or rather, the Lachners.) 'So what more could one reasonably want?' The answer of course is, more recordings, top notch ones, mainstream labels making for easy accessibility, and of course regular performances. I keep fingers crossed that Naxos might eventually follow up their new CD with another giving the Opp. 51 and 52 Serenades.
Fuchs is, of course, no giant of the late 19th century. But that matters not one jot, and life wouldn't be so nearly as interesting if our listening was restricted to an exclusive diet of the few giant figures. Besides there would then be no UC forum and we'd all get very bored!
Peter
Also a fan of Fuchs, and I'm not even yet familiar with his serenades. But very much a fan on the basis especially of his chamber music (especially I think the very late works), the piano sonatas, and other works.
I'd like to think I'd be interested in the new Naxos CD, but the timings suggest that this may be pretty slim fare...
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572222 (http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572222)
Come, come, Mr Hero Administrator! Quality or quantity? Besides an order put in soon to you-know-who will cost a mere £3.99. Live dangerously, I say!
Peter
Come on,'you know you want to!'
Well, I can think of a few pieces I'd like to see recorded:
Symphony in b minor (1868)
Symphony in g minor (1872)
The masses (opp. 108, 116, and an early 1896 mass)
Since all the published symphonies are in major keys, I'd like to see what Fuchs could do in a minor mode.
Balapoel
It's just that I was hoping for rather more than what look like trifles, albeit maybe delicious ones...
Hum, I thought there were just 3 symphonies? No 1 Op 37 (1884); No 2 Op 45 (1887); and No 3 Op 79 (1906) - and all in major keys. I can't find a trace of any others, let alone ones in minor keys.
Are you sure you're not thinking of two of the Serenades (both for strings, and one with 2 horns) which are in minor keys?
Maybe I'm just wrong (and I never mind being told I'm wrong for I end up wiser for it!)
And incidentally, worry not Alan. Some of us mischievous guys enjoy a leg-pull!
Peter
Aren't the two symphonies to which Belapoel refers student symphonies which weren't published?
I just don't know - and not trying to pick holes in what anyone else has said! We need a Fuchs expert here. Isn't Eric our man? As for me, can't find any mention of symphonies beyond the 3 published ones - which of course doesn't establish anything.
Ha, mid-posting just checked Grove. Grove 5 devotes a mere 8 lines to Fuchs! Blimey! But in the New Grove of 1980 there is mention of "an early G minor Symphony....that had an indifferent reception in 1872". And the Work list gives 5 symphonies, but no details of the 2 without opus numbers.
I've now got Grove, Belapoel and Mark stacking up against me. Time to withdraw and go emit a few snores!
Peter
Hi all,
Groves lists these two symphonies, the first when Fuchs was 21, the second when he was 25. I've found that often, early examples show different characteristics for each composer. For instance, the very early piano quartet in f minor of Dohnanyi (when he was 14 years old) is very sturm-drang, different than his more 'mature' materials. The same can be said of Richard Strauss' early orchestral works (symphonies in d minor and f minor) vs. his later. For these reasons, I'd like to hear Fuchs' early symphonies.
Balapoel
Quote from: Mark Thomas on Tuesday 01 February 2011, 22:44
Aren't the two symphonies to which Belapoel refers student symphonies which weren't published?
Yes- if they still exist. At least two of the masses to which he refers, however, are more mature works, one of them a late published work (opus 108), one an unpublished work from Fuchs' 49th year, I think. (The Austrian Public Library music subsection catalog has a substantial listing of Fuchs works many of which are unpublished however - I'll see if those two symphonies are among the online listing... it would be good evidence though not proof they're not lost, I think. :) )
I also want to see that 5th "Amont" string quartet (found also there) if I wasn't misreading!
not to mention his operas, only one of which was published, but which were presumably not trifles- well, I assume...
I have a CD of the 3rd piano sonata (Op.109), Kugendklange and 12 Waltzes, Op.110 which I really enjoy. I'll probably buy the Serenades CD too (and get the other sonatas as well - they are on Marco-Polo).
Quote from: Jonathan on Wednesday 02 February 2011, 18:07
I have a CD of the 3rd piano sonata (Op.109), Kugendklange and 12 Waltzes, Op.110 which I really enjoy. I'll probably buy the Serenades CD too (and get the other sonatas as well - they are on Marco-Polo).
Have to look in the used bins now I think for the other two piano sonatas? but I've heard them and found them enjoyable. Scores of all 3 sonatas, symphonies 1 and 3, and the first 4 serenades at imslp.org/wiki btw...
OK, I've changed my mind! From the excerpts at jpc...
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Robert-Fuchs-Serenaden-f%FCr-Streicher-Nr-1-2-opp-9-14/hnum/3551379 (http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Robert-Fuchs-Serenaden-f%FCr-Streicher-Nr-1-2-opp-9-14/hnum/3551379)
...the new Naxos CD sounds absolutely delightful.
A wise man is one who can change their mind!
I'm known for my musical u-turns! And it's always great to be proved wrong...
I haven't heard it yet (I shall) but I do keep thinking Fuchs had a knack for that. :)
Ok, I'll try again - I asked this question on the other thread about Fuchs' Serenades.
It goes like this: I have the ebs disc of the Serenades Nos. 2&3 and the Andante grazioso. The timings, as shown on the CD cover are totally at odds with the actual timings of the tracks themselves. Absolutely out of whack. I checked with the Naxos CD for the common denominator of the 2nd Serenade - and the ebs and Naxos timings are similar. So, what the heck is on the ebs disc itself? Very puzzling.
Can anyone shed any light?
erm. that's odd. also odd about the ebs CD is that I've seen different descriptions of its contents in different places, if memory serves?... all I can suggest is - if this works - going to IMSLP (say) and downloading the scores (full or reduced) of serenades 1-3 and seeing if they do or don't match what you actually hear (assuming sufficient score-reading training.)
(Serenade 1 (http://imslp.org/wiki/Serenade_for_String_Orchestra_No.1,_Op.9_(Fuchs,_Robert)) in full score and arrangement, 5 movements; Serenade 2 (http://imslp.org/wiki/Serenade_for_String_Orchestra_No.2,_Op.14_(Fuchs,_Robert)) in full score(s) and in an arrangement by the composer; Serenade 3 (http://imslp.org/wiki/Serenade_for_String_Orchestra_No.3,_Op.21_(Fuchs,_Robert)) in full score and in an arrangement by the composer. Serenade 4 is there in arrangement also, but I assume you don't hear 2 horns anywhere. Serenade 1 is in D major, serenade 2 in C major and serenade 3 in E minor so if these -are- the only choices it's presumably easy to tell between them, but of course the works on the CD could be anything...)
-Eric
Many thanks, Eric, for your reply.
I was unable to open the score files, for some reason.
I listened on the JPC site to the track samples from the Naxos CD. None of them seem to equate to what is on any of the tracks on the ebs disc. Weird.
However, I did locate the ebs label information (part of the Bayer Music Group) and I sent them a note through their website. Perhaps they might explain exactly what music they recorded onto this CD. :-\
The new Naxos CD is absolutely fabulous in every way - playing at once as fresh as paint and yet also luxuriant when required. I totally withdraw all of my reservations - this is Fuchs at his absolute best. No wonder he was so popular. Fabulous, fabulous...
I have just received my Naxos cd of Fuchs' Serenades 1 and 2 and heartily agree with Alan's opinion of the music. It really is delightful and I have played the CD several times already. I was so taken with the two Serenades that I googled Fuchs to find out more about the other Serenades. The only other one I found is No 5 which is coupled with his Piano Concerto, sound bites are available on Jpc.de. Serenade No 5 though is rather different from Serenades 1 and 2. Unfortunately Serenades nos 3 and 4 do not seem to be available commercially. Do any members know these 2 works and if so, are they similar to nos 1 and 2?
no.3 in E minor, op.21 was recorded a few times - on Koch Schwann on LP and CD (nla like the whole label), on Novalis I think (conducted by Furi, Camerata Bern), and perhaps one or two other recordings (apparently not the ebs recording that is advertised as containing it). I believe the 4th serenade op51 in G minor for 2 horns and strings has yet to be recorded commercially. I think I've heard the 3rd serenade once or twice but that's all. (I'm much more familiar with some other works of Fuchs- have been humming the somber but lyrical and well-called "appassionato" first quartet, approximately contemporary with the 5th serenade, from its MDG recording, regularly for the last few days; especially enjoy the other quartets- especially the 4th - the cello sonatas, to mention just three works. Anyways.)
Any news on the two Symphonies - Symphony in B minor and G minor?
All I know of the B minor symphony is that there was a report of a performance of it; I don't recall (maybe someone will remind me?) seeing mention of any materials in the catalog of the Austrian National Library or anywhere else...
Try dropping a line to Dt Otto Biba at the Gesellschaft der Muikfreunde, Vienna. He, more than any one else, is likely to know if the 2 early Fuchs symphonies are still extant.
I imagine this email address might do the trick:
office@a-wgm.com
Members who liked the Naxos disc of Fuchs's Serenades 1 and 2 will be pleased to know that Naxos has released a second CD in the series of Serenades 3, 4 and 5 - more of that highly expressive, tuneful, joyous, well-writen and orchestrated music : a pure joy. I can well understand why Fuchs in his time was known as Mister serenade.
Sound bites on : http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Robert-Fuchs-1847-1927-Serenaden-f%FCr-Streicher-Nr-3-5/hnum/2351392
Quote from: DennisS on Thursday 07 June 2012, 21:08
...Naxos has released a second CD in the series of Serenades 3, 4 and 5...
You may like to peruse the comments in this thread, Dennis:
http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,929.15.html (http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,929.15.html)
Sorry Alan. I didn't realise that there was a separate thread on the Fuchs serenades.
No need for any apology, I'm sure.