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As Alan says, the Sgambatti PC is indeed magnificent. I only got to know it because it was coupled with the Rheinberger PC and thus was a totally unexpected bonus. Good to see The Busoni PC on Hyperion mentioned in this thread - another splendid PC with yes, quite a lengthy orchestral opening. Glad also to see the Field PC no 2 mentioned. IMO the number 2 is the best of the Field PCs.
Cheers
Dennis

Re-listening to the Brahms PC with Emil Gilels and Eugen Jochum/BPO, the orchestral opening lasts 4:14!!! (although other versions are considerably shorter i.e. around 3 1/2 minutes). Many consider the Emil Gilels version to be one of the very best. I for my part love this interpretation . I must admit though, that like others who have remarked on lengthy orchestral openings, one does not always have the impression initially that it is indeed a PC!

Dennis

I have only recently discovered Rheinberger but am already a convert to his music, orchestral music that is. I first purchased the Wallenstein symphony (the two CDs on Christopheros) and absolutely loved it - a dense work with lots and lots of musical ideas to appreciate : I particularly liked the main theme of the third movement - very memorable. I then purchased the Florentiner symphony and found that work hugely enjoyable also. On Mark's recommendation, I then bought the PC (coupled with the Sgambatti PC).  Again, I very much enjoyed both works. I have not as yet got around to listening to any of the organ concertos for which he is better known. Both the Wallenstein and Florentiner symphonies are longuish works (each in excess of 50 mins duration) but the time, for me at least, passes swiftly by!

Cheers
Dennis

Re-listening to Hummel's PC opus 85, I was surprised by the lengthy orchestral opening of this PC before the soloist ( in this case Stephen Hough) makes his entry- some 3 min 52 seconds into the work before the piano writing commences. Another recent example which comes to mind is Alexander Tcherepnin's PC no 1, which has a simply stunning 3 min (just under actually)orchestral opening before the piano entry is made. Normally, most PCs usually start with the piano joining in quite early on, or at least that is how it seems to me. Perhaps I have never really noticed that before. Do any other members of the forum know of concertos (PC, VC or CC), where the orchestra features so prominently before the soloist's entry. Also, does a lengthy orchestral opening before the solist's entry make for an outstanding concerto?

Cheers
Dennis

Hi
I have just come across the Stephen Hough Chandos cd of Hummel's PCs opus 85 and 89. I think I bought the cd based on comments in this thread. for some reason, I only listened to the cd just once and then left if on the shelf. Coming across the cd 3 days ago, I gave it a second listen. I was absolutely taken aback by the music - absolutely glorious and thrilling. I can't think why the music did not impress me first time round. re-reading the liner notes, I noted that Hummel was apparently a pupil of Beethoven and later a teacher of Mendelssohn. That surely must be proof of his talent. I will be investigating his music further.

Cheers
Dennis

Hi

Just to say that I always have a browse in Harold Moores everytime I am in town. As Mark says, they often have things that no-one else stocks. Always worth a visit and the staff are both extremely helpful and also very knowledgeable.

cheers
Dennis

Hi JimL

Of course you are absolutely right. Silly mistake on my part, especially as I have the double cd of R-K's complete symphonies 1, 2 AND 3.

Dennis

I would just like to now officially sing the praises of the new Sterling disc of Raff choral works. It's difficult to find the right superlatives to adequately describe this disc and all those who have already acquired the cd,  know just how superb the latest Raff release is. Perhaps if I say this cd is  already my favourite cd of all time  of choral works, not just by Raff but indeed by any composer, is testament to what I feel about the 4 absolutely outstanding works on the cd. We are all indebted to Mark for his part in the production of this cd.

Cheers
Dennis

I have just bought the BIS box set of all the symphonies (4) and piano concertos (6) of Alexander Tcherepnin. I became interested in this composer because of the references to Prokofiev. Prokofiev, as some members of the forum may know, is one of my absolute favourites, and I especially love his piano concertos. Indeed, my love of classical music virtually started with Prokofiev, whose entire repertoire I systematically explored when I was quite young. No surprise then, that I bought the box set! Reading the liner notes, I noted that Tcherepnin regarded Prokofiev as his idol and this was especially obvious in Tcherepnin's earliest works. I have so far listened to all four disks at least once in the set|and am already very, very keen on his music. I especially like the piano concertos, very exciting, and it is still quite obvious just how influenced by Prokofiev, Tcherepnin was! The symphonies too, are all equally exciting and the playing of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as well as the recorded sound, are both excellent. Alexander Tcherepnin's music, is for me, a little bit like Prokofiev brought up to date. I also feel that there is a touch of Shostakovich in some of the works and this works well for me as well.

Cheers
Dennis

I note that the 3 symphonies of Friedrich Ernst Fesca were mentioned in this thread. I have two of the three symphonies (nos 2 + 3) and found them very pleasant, similar in style to Mozart but not as good. As a change of pace to Mozart, Fesca is a good alternative.

Dennis

I have just purchased the Naxos cd of Marcel Tyberg's Symphony no 3 + Piano trio. The notes on the cd cover immediately caught my eye, stating that Tyberg's music has "shades of Schumann and Brahms, Bruckner and Mahler". I have listened to the cd twice and would like to say just how impressed I am by what I heard. His music for me is a real find, especially the symphony.Listening to his symphony, I was amazed for example by the number of Mahler references I detected, in particular in the first two movements.  The opening Mahler horn (tenor tuba) in the first movement sets the tone  and is followed by other  Mahler like motifs throughout the opening movement. Movement no 2 begins with a  Mahler like Ländler. Indeed, the whole of the second movement, a Scherzo, sounds, to me at least, very much like Mahler. I also noted the number of Bruckner like references in the symphony, but especially in the third movement, an adagio, a beautiful melody which is quite arresting. I was less aware of Schumann and Brahms though. The closing movement is a lively rondo and is a lot of fun, lasting just over 6 minutes and finished almost before it had begun. I would not like however, to give the impression that this symphony is merely a slavish copy of a Mahler or Bruckner symphony. Indeed, there is much that is quite original to qualify the symphony as a Tyberg symphony. That said, I had the almost eery feeling that I was, at times, listening to a new Mahler symphony, a Mahler brought up to date. Perhaps I am biased as I hugely admire both Bruckner and Mahler. I noted from ther liner notes that Rafael Kubelik performed Tyberg's symphony no 2 in the 1930's, so I am hoping that Naxos will release this symphony also in due course. The piano trio on the same cd is also a lovely work (no Mahler references this time!). What a real pity, Tyberg died tragically so young, as explained in the previous post.

Cheers
Dennis

It has been very interesting to read the many posts on this thread on Rimsky-Korsakov. I have a particular soft spot for this composer, not merely just for Sheherazade, but also for his two symphonies (but especially Antar) and all the Suites from his operas. I only have one version of Skazka, on Naxos, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Igor Golovchin, but over the years, have listened to it a number of times and always enjoyed it. For those interested in the suites from the operas, I recommend the Kontrapunkt series, volumes 1, 2 + 3 - Odense Symphony Orchestra, Edward Serov. The playing and sound are both excellent.

Cheers
Dennis

I was in town last week and saw the Butterworth  symphony no 5 in HMV. I hesitated but in the end bought it. I must say I was most pleasantly surprised. I did not really rate his symphony no 1 but have to say that symphony no 5 is a quite different work, and IMO, vastly superior to his first symphony. The 5th symphony for me, is overall, a mostly quiet, reflective work, delicately scored and quite beautiful. Throughout the piece, but especially in the first two movements, there are a number of swirling, misterioso Sibelius-like musical figures, that I find especially alluring. I can now more fully appreciate why Butterworth is called the English Sibelius. I have since listened to the symphony twice and enjoyed it even more the second time around.Thank you Alan for drawing my attention to this work.

Cheers
Dennis

Hello Alan

Your post on Butterworth caught my eye, particularly as I am very fond of Sibelius. There are not as yet any sound bites on the net for symphony no 5 as far as I can tell. I have Butterworth's symphony no 1 but wondered whether you could tell me whether sym no 5 is as good as, similar to  or better than his no 1. In truth, I found his first symphony interesting but it did not exactly bowl me over, especially when comparing it to Sibelius.

cheers
Dennis

Hi all
It seems that Lajtha's music is a case of ,,liking or loathing" his work. I listened to audio samples on the net and also did some research as well (Wikipedia et al). I liked what I heard. I then opened this thread on the forum as I was curious as to what others thought of his music. In the meantime though, I went ahead and ordered 2 cds anyway: symphonies 3+4 and symphonies 5+6. My decision was based on a) I liked the sound bites b) most critics generally agree that symphonies 4 and 6 are among Lajtha's most accessible works and c) I am very fond of the harp being incorporated into symphonic music. The first cd has since arrived – symphonies 3 + 4. I have listened to both works a couple of times and I am not disappointed. Symphony no 4 is indeed light, airy, joyous and full of nice orchestral touches. No, I would not qualify this music as "great" music but it is highly enjoyable all the same. I was however less keen on symphony no 3 as I found it a bit dreary. Bearing in mind that the symphony started out as film music to T.S. Eliot's "Murder in the cathedral" (the murder of Thomas à Becket) , it is understandable that I found this particular work a little grim but still interesting! I look forward to receiving the second cd. I know I will enjoy symphony no 6!

Cheers
Dennis