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I could have included this new double cd in the thread on Lyrita Futures but the Fricker release arrived today so it is very much "present"

I never thought that this day would come when all of Fricker's five symphonies would make it to cd. As Paul Conway writes in the booklet notes there were distinguished critics in the early 1950s and 1960s saying that Fricker was "the most impressive talent to appear in post-war Britain" and "at the head of his generation" and if Malcolm Arnold or Robert Simpson might also claim those accolades Fricker does not deserve the oblivion into which his music was cast by the 1980s onwards generations.

I am very excited and make no apologies for that 

Fully agreed with Colin about Fricker. I also ordered the symphonies, but they are not in my mailbox yet. I have to be a little patient.

I went online last night to look at my customer account on a certain website,to see if a cd had been sent out. I also bought a s/h cd. A bit different from Peter Racine Fricker! Otis Redding: In Person at the Whisky a go go!! Unlike a certain other forum,we have very wide tastes in music here!! ;D I had a look to see if any deleted cd's,or dvd's,I have been unable to acquire (because sellers keep asking huge prices,or they don't seem to be available,at all) had become affordable.(I have a small list!) I noticed that the long delayed dvd release of the classic French movie,The Wages of Fear,looks as if it may finally be released by the BFI in October!! I've had this on pre-order for over a year!! My father is 85 now. I was hoping he might be able to see it again!! I am going to resist the Cpo release of Louis Glass for the time being...............but after reading these posts I don't think I will be able to resist the Fricker set!! It also seems wrong to do so!!

I notice Gramophone are letting you read their reviews,now (or,some of them!). Although,you could jab the 'Printscreen' button,before. They also have reviews of the recent Daniel Jones Lyrita releases,there.

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/fricker-symphonies-nos-1-4 (https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/fricker-symphonies-nos-1-4)

https://artmusiclounge.wordpress.com/ (https://artmusiclounge.wordpress.com/)

That does it! I'll order it this evening! ::) ;D

Done!! ::) ;D

I am surprised that you needed any encouragement given the admiration you have previously shown for Fricker's music

The First Symphony is such an assured work for a 29 year old and is, in my opinion, so powerful and gripping. It is splendid to have it on cd at last.

Unfortunately,boring things like keeping a roof over my head.....food,heating,and other such mundane necessities,mean I have to keep an eye on the pennies!! :( ::) ;D Also,the 'clever' software I installed to prevent me succumbing to too much temptation on certain websites selling cd's,dvd's (and books,too!) is very effective,indeed!! ::) :( ;D I take your point,however! :) I have placed my order,now!

I have just read the "review" of the Daniel Jones symphonies in 'The Gramophone' to which you refer. I have a lot of respect for Guy Rickards and it is clearly not his fault that this 'comment' is what passes for a review in what was once a magazine worth buying and reading. Very, very sad

Yes,it's not much of a review is it? I did buy one or two copies after hearing that it had been taken over by new owners,and had "improved"! There were a few less intrusions from celebs;but the "reviews" are so brief,as to be hardly worth the cost of the magazine,itself (I could buy a s/h cd with the money!). Also,I know it's not very important;but I can't stand that wierd feeling,shiny,paper they use (particularly the cover!) ??? ::)

To be honest,the only reason I referred to Guy Rickard's review was because of the last paragraph. I like his comments here. "The reception of Jones’s music has usually been respectful rather than enthusiastic.." I have noticed and been more than a little rattled by this,myself,over the years! The Penguin guide,useful as it was;another culprit. (I recall thinking,"What I'm hearing is allot better than that!") Rickards,however,regards them as "strong and important works that repay familiarity". He,rightfully,makes a plea for concert hall and studio performances. Yes....yes,I say;and particularly here in Wales. Just a pity Guy Rickards couldn't have been given a bit more room. Dear,oh dear!! ::)

By the way,it is because of your enthusiasm for Fricker,Dundonnell,that I persisted with his music. Although,I did enjoy his third symphony,when it was broadcast (back in the mid nineties,I think).

Happily the four symphonies are now also available at Spotify; joining in at the moment.  :)

Good thinking. At least it is cheaper than the cd release. But I don't regret I ordered the cd's. I prefer the cd's with booklet and so. Space is beginning to be a problem here, but a few cd's can still be added.

I fully appreciate the difficulties many have in purchasing "too many" cds (in marked contrast to a recent contributer to the Musicweb forum who told us that he had 60+ versions of a Bruckner symphony! I didn't even know there were as many in existence! I wonder what he does when he wants to listen to the symphony. Does he select a version he does not actually esteem ::) ???)

As I have said before ( ::)) I used to buy an average of ten cds each month. That is no longer the case. Part of the reason is because I could not afford to do so on what is a (admittedly reasonably generous) pension but also because, with well over 3,000 cds, I have filled an entire wall of my (admittedly huge) sitting room and have a (large) library in which three entire walls are covered in books. I also have (at least) one version of every orchestral work in the repertoire of the 19th and 20th centuries available on cd and within by "taste range" :)

So I buy new cds of previously unrecorded works and British symphonies are a (very obvious ;D) "must-buys" for me.

....but, as you know, I admire Fricker enormously and enthuse about his music (and that of other composers of his and earlier generations of 20th century British music). If others like the Fricker soundworld then they should invest in the cds if they possibly can. This will encourage Lyrita to keep going...if nothing else ;D

Finding room is another issue! I keep thinking I need to rig up one of those Heath Robinson,space saving,contraptions;but I'm useless at DIY!! I was definitely going to buy this one,though! I think I'd have felt a bit guilty about it if I didn't. You do need to put your money where your mouth is,in these cases,if possible. I agree with Dundonnell,that every cd bought (or downloaded) adds up,even if you think it won't;encouraging Lyrita to release something else that is otherwise unavailable,and you may like,too! Buying another Mahler Second,however wonderful that composition undoubtedly is,will (also,undoubtedly!) add another Mahler Second to your collection of Mahler Second's;but,ultimately,Mahler cd's are going to pump out in seemingly endless amounts from the recording labels anyway!! ::) ;D The recent Cpo release of Louis Glass' Fifth Symphony will have to wait a little longer,though;but I will be buying it.......even if I have to sell the shirt off my back!! ::) :( ;D

Do second-hand shirts raise that sort of money?? If so then.....

I've just downloaded the Fricker symphonies from iTunes.   That, for me, is the solution to the space problem.  And you do get the booklet as well.

I prefer physical books and cd's, too. But with about 6000 on my shelves and no space left in my study, Spotify offers a welcome alternative.  8) Fricker is intriguing enough though to make it to these shelves one day.

Ok, let's not worry too much about the means by which we might listen to Fricker's symphonies and instead thank Lyrita for making them available to those who might enjoy them

I am still listening to the Symphony No.1 and marvelling at its concentrated power. I have the old Louisville/Robert Whitney LP but it is great to have the splendid Bryden Thomson version on disc. This symphony is so "up my street" 

Well, space is of course a reason for me, buying only a little number of cd's. I also don't write cd's from downloaded works. I simply save them on external hard drives. I can attach them on  my home audio-set if I like. But mostly I play them from one of my computers in my "man cave"

The Fricker set arrived today (Tuesday). I ordered it from English Postbox. Apparently,this is actually,MDT (or a separate company owned by them?). I have bought cd's from them before.The were very quick,indeed. I ordered it on Friday afternoon. I am listening to the second cd,now. It is great to hear this music in such clean sound. The third and fourth Symphonies,in particular,needed to be heard in better sound. (I began to wish I'd kept my off-air cassette of the third!). I think it is,quite simply, one of the most exciting cd releases for a while. Along with the Daniel Jones symphonies. Such satisfying,absorbing music.Why did this have to take so long?!!! ::) >:( Still,we're getting them,now! Time to enjoy :)............................. ..........................then, worry about where I'm going to store the things?!! ;D

After enjoying the first two symphonies;I put on the second cd again,last night. It was great to hear the third in really good,clean sound. (I'd begun to wish I'd kept my superior sounding off-air cassette!) I now think this a tremendous follow up to the first two. Full of anger and defiance. Quite thrilling in places. The quieter moments as gripping and absorbing,as I might expect from this composer.The fourth symphony had seemed less focused than the first three. I found my attention wandering at the first listen. A rest from Fricker,and try again,I thought? Ha! ::) Sod's law struck last night. The Fourth symphony finally seemed to "click" with me. (Incidentally,Fricker's quieter moments are ideal for late night listening). Unfortunately,it was past midnight. Very reluctantly,to put it mildly,I switched off the Fourth Symphony;just when it seemed to have begun to cast it's spell on me! :(
 
I will have another listen again,tonight. This time I will begin with the second cd in the set,and hopefully be able to finish listening to the Fourth before bed?!! :( >:( ;D