Sterndale Bennett - Konzertstück in A minor WO 48

[promusician]

I received response from Bodleian Library that this manuscript from their archives is being prepared for a recording in January next year, shelfmark MS. Sterndale Bennett 32. This is the only unpublished concerto left unrecorded at the moment. Fingers crossed.

[Alan Howe]

'Konzertstücke' is plural in German: could you clarify whether this is one single work, i.e. a Konzertstück, please?

Moderator's note: one single work confirmed - no 'e' on 'Konzertstück'.

[eschiss1]

According to IMSLP with A Descriptive Catalogue as source:
WoO 48, "Concert-Stück (Piano Concerto) in A minor (1841-43, rev. 1848)" (I see his other published concertos and an unpublished concerto in F minor in the Oxford library catalog, but not this, offhand...)

[Gareth Vaughan]

That's quite right, Eric. This is apparently the so called Piano Concerto No. 6, the MS of which was, until fairly recently, in private hands and unavailable to those who might have wished to study it.

[eschiss1]

Ah, thanks. Are we sure the 6th concerto wasn't the F minor recently found and published instead, mind, though...

[promusician]

That's quite right, Eric. This is apparently the so called Piano Concerto No. 6, the MS of which was, until fairly recently, in private hands and unavailable to those who might have wished to study it.

Yes. The 6th concerto in 2 piano reduction by Geoffrey Bush is in Bodeleian Library. Maybe the true manuscript is still in private hands. Not sure whether the recording is just a piano reduction

[promusician]

Ah, thanks. Are we sure the 6th concerto wasn't the F minor recently found and published instead, mind, though...

The unpublished F minor concerto (No.5) is the rejected concerto for another F minor concerto No.4. This concertstuck is in A minor though.

[Gareth Vaughan]

In August 2022 I wrote thus to pianist Simon Callaghan:
"I have just learned that, shortly before the pandemic, the autograph score of Sterndale Bennett's 6th piano concerto (in A minor) was deposited at the Bodleian Library and can now be accessed as MS. Odling Sterndale Bennett 43 and MS. Odling Sterndale Bennett 44. This concerto has long been known about but was inaccessible because the lady who owned it (the composer's great grand-daughter, I think) would not allow anyone to see it. I was given to understand she was prepared to sell it, but only at a very high price (though I do not know for certain the truth of this assertion). Anyway, it has now found its way to the Bodleian (apparently partly in lieu of estate death duties), so one can now examine it. Also deposited, though from a different family source, is the ms. of the concerto for 2 pianos and orchestra which Sterndale Bennett wrote in 1835 jointly with George MacFarren. This is MS. Sterndale Bennett 25 and is described thus: 'Autograph full score (damaged in places), signed by William Sterndale Bennett only, not dated.' One wonders about the extent of the damage. Nevertheless, it is of some considerable interest that these two works are now accessible to musicians. As you know, Sterndale Bennett's Piano Concertos 1-5 were recorded by Malcolm Binns for Lyrita many years ago, while Howard Shelley has more recently recorded 1-4 plus the Caprice and Adagio (the only other 2 extant works for piano & orchestra by Bennett) for Hyperion in the Romantic Piano Concerto Series. Perhaps Hyperion might be interested in recording PCs 5 & 6, together with the 2-piano concerto (provided it is in playable condition)."
The link to the entry for the MS in the Bodleian Catalogue is: https://archives.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/repositories/2/archival_objects/212272

Simon replied: "Gosh, how wonderful!  I'll try to get this asap, but it may be that someone has got there first... let's see!"

As members of this forum know, it was shortly after this exchange that I was diagnosed with my stomach cancer and started chemotherapy, ultimately undergoing a total gastrectomy in October 2023, from which it has taken me until now to recover properly. So I did not follow this up with Simon, but will now do so.

[Alan Howe]

Our very best wishes to you, Gareth. Thanks so much.

[promusician]

I got information as below:
The concerto is being recorded for Lyrita by Simon Callaghan with (I think) the Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Martin Yates.

Eagerly waiting for the release

[eschiss1]

Thanks all for the news and clarifications (could use a little more clarification for
"The unpublished F minor concerto (No.5) is the rejected concerto for another F minor concerto No.4.") but I do that sort of accidental word-repetition all the kind. Problem is, I'm not sure what word was actually meant, honestly...

[Gareth Vaughan]

Brilliant news, promusician. I am delighted Simon is the pianist for the recording.

[Gareth Vaughan]

Do you know, by the way, what else will be on the Lyrita disk?
I have not yet had a reply from Simon, which is unusual. He normally responds at once, but he is a very busy bee!

[Martin Eastick]

I know that the the RAM has the MS for Bache's G minor concerto, and also at least one of his other works for piano and orchestra, namely a Polonaise, which was later published in a revised piano solo form as his Op9.
Then there is, of course John Francis Barnett's D minor concerto, but this would have to be orchestrated - although Martin Yates would be and ideal candidate for the job! But perhaps the 2-piano concerto can also be given the same treatment if necessary|

[promusician]

Do you know, by the way, what else will be on the Lyrita disk?
I have not yet had a reply from Simon, which is unusual. He normally responds at once, but he is a very busy bee!

I am sorry, I have been told to not disclose any further information until the recording is released.