Messages

I am really pleased that the Bronsart has received a recording to compete with the old VOX one, which, in my opinion, leaves much to be desired in the quality of the orchestral playing. I have written to Hyperion at least twice over the years asking them to record it - the slow movement is gorgeous - it has even occasionally made it to Classic FM, if that can be taken as any indication of melodic quality. As to why Hyperion have coupled it with the Urspruch - well they were both pupils of Liszt at Weimar; indeed Bronsart gave the first performance of Liszt's second PC there, and Liszt subsequently dedicated it to him. Urspruch is said to have been one of Liszt's favourites. I have not yet heard any music by him, but Amazon Prime members can hear excerpts from his comic opera "Das Unmöglichste von Allem" from a live recording on Naxos.

I have just been listening with much pleasure to the Marco Polo CD of Meulemans 2nd and 3rd symphonies and I notice that the Phaedra label (CD 92031 - In Flanders' Fields Vol 31) and the Royal Flemish Philharmonic label (under Brabbins) are offering recordings of his orchestral music. The track listings are available on the corresponding websites and I don't think that there are any overlaps, so does anyone have any opinions about the works and performances?

Has anyone got an opinion about the DUX CD of Stojowski orchestral and choral music?
I notice that Peter Shott (5 years ago) gave it a brief thumbs up.
There is also an extremely favourable Amazon review.

["Istar"]

In reply to an email I sent them concerning their recordings of Martinu's early compositions (particularly the ballet "Istar", 1921), I received a reply from Martin Anderson saying that this sumptuously impressionistic early work is "on the horizon" but the next release 'in a few months time" will be the ballet "Stin" composed in 1916. For those who have only encountered the later works of Martinu, which are often chattery neo-classical or quite aggressive in style, the early works are an ear-opening surprise, and for me are richly enjoyable. Two suites from "Istar" have been recorded by Supraphon back in the mid 1970's (Jiri Waldhans, Brno Philharmonic, Supraphon 1101634) but have never been issued on CD. I have this on what memory tells me is a horribly crackly LP, dimly recorded to boot! 

I have a lot of CPO discs and have been looking forward to hearing more about their forthcoming issues (particularly news of the Simonsen orchestral works), but their website only offers their 2015-16 catalogue (on CD)  if one orders a CPO disc of music by Hoffmeister (1754-1812). I have no intention of doing such a thing and I'm astonished that they don't offer it as a free download. Is this their usual practice? It strikes me as being not very businesslike. 

 
I have two Supraphon LP's containing, respectively, Suk's Cantata 'Under the Apple Tree' (Otakar Trhlik,Ostrava Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic Chorus, Supraphon 1121678, coupled with Janaceks Amarus) and Martinu's impressionistic Suites from the ballet 'Istar'.(Jiri Waldhans, Brno Philharmonic, Supraphon 1101634).

As far as I am aware, neither of these have ever been reissued on CD by Supraphon, despite the fact that they are the only recordings ever made. Supraphon did make a recording (under Libor Pesek) of an orchestral suite from 'Under the Apple Tree' (33C0-1372), but this only hints at the delights of the full cantata.

It must be about three years ago that I emailed Supraphon about their re-issue policy, but never got a  reply. I find it strange that having the only recordings of significant pieces by important composers, they do not consider re-issuing them.

Hurry up Naxos, show Supraphon how it's done!

The upcoming Hyperion recording of the Oswald Piano Concerto was broadcast, complete, on Classic FM on 10th July at 8pm in a program devoted to Brazilian music. I happened to be listening in  my car at the time and was intrigued. However, I found the piece to be dull as ditchwater, with little melodic interest, although I have to confess to finishing my journey before the 3rd movement got underway. A pity I found it so uninteresting, though Hyperion have t be congratulated for a thoroughly unusual disc.

I should have been a bit more accurate in reporting Hyperion's statement regarding the Bronsart - in fact they have no CURRENT plans to record it, so there is still hope.

As an update, I've just ordered the Genesis CD from USA. I was aware of it (I still have the LP), but was hoping that Hyperion would come up with a local replacement. I did not know of the Centaur CD.

I have just received an email from Edward Taylor - Copyright and Licensing Manager at Hyperion telling me that they are planning to release a recording of the Anton Rubinstein Piano Quartets next May.

I have just received an email from Edward Taylor - Copyright and Licensing Manager at Hyperion telling me that they have no plans to record the Bronsart Piano Concerto. A great pity because the orchestral playing on the old Vox recording with Ponti is inadequate to say the least.

 I have just received an email from Edward Taylor - Copyright and Licensing Manager at Hyperion telling me that they have no plans to record the Rubinstein 5th Piano Concerto. A pity because the orchestral playing on the Marco Polo version is inadequate.

[Necessary?]

About three years ago DUX released a DVD of Szymanowski's early opera 'Hagith'. I have been waiting to see if they would issue a CD of it, but nothing has appeared so far. Yesterday I emailed DUX asking if they were going to do a CD and this morning received a reply from Margaret Polanska (DUX Director) which simply asked me if I thought a CD was necessary.

My replies were as follows:

Necessary? - perhaps not
Desirable? – there is no other recording of this work by the leading Polish composer of the early 20th century.
Because there is no other recording, people who do not use DVD (like me) but who like his music will be inclined to buy a CD.

I have just received a reply from Ms Polanska, in which she says:

Dear Sir
Thank you for your very wise answer.... Maybe you are right..
I will think about it !!
This was very kind of you.

Margaret Polanska
DUX Director

Thanks for that.  I'll put it on my list, but not at the top!

Does anyone know anything about this recording - available from Amazon. It is on the 'La Bottega Discantica' label with Aldo Ceccato conducting the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus. I notice that it was reviewed on the  'Building a Library' program on January 29th 2011, a broadcast I missed.