Well,the "Ocean" Symphony is pretty well known,as neglected byways of orchestral music go! I can't help wondering whether some of the less than complimentary comments that have been made over the years by no less than Rimsky Korsakov,Mussorgsky and Borodin,among others have acted as some kind of discouragement? In fact,I can think of few other composers who've received such a drubbing over the years?! It's almost as if the mere mention of his name puts labels off from recording him? Perhaps there's a kind of stigma about recording a composer with such a reputation?!  I have also wondered whether the fact that his influences were German hasn't helped,either? If you're going to record Russian music it should,at least,sound Russian! But think! We've had cycles of Spohr symphonies,Raff symphonies,Ries symphonies. We've had symphonies by Wetz,Draeseke,Reznicek,Reineck,Arensky,Taneyev,Farrenc,Gouvy,Jadassohn;you name it? As to the intrinsic value of Rubinstein's creative outpourings? Let's face it;outside their small band of admirers,Spohr and Raff,have had more than their share of detractors! (I like them!). Yet,if you like Spohr's symphonies there are three cycles to choose from! Two of them are excellent;and the sound quality is superb! If you like Raff's symphonies (Perhap's I shouldn't mention him here?!! ;D) they too are available in the form of two complete cycles. One of them is,imho,superb! And if Spohr and Raff are good enough,why not Anton Rubinstein?!! >:( :)

NB: I like Spohr and Raff,by the way! (And,fair play,to the old bean;it's not Raff's fault they like him so much at a certain other forum!! ::) ;D)

I wish! ::) I find it surprising that the Ocean Symphony still awaits a really good recording. I first got to know it via the Vox Turnabout Lp,which I borrowed from my local library. The symphony was performed by the (then) Westphalian Symphony Orchestra,Recklinghausen conducted by Richard Kapp. It has never been released on cd. I think it may have been better than the performances on Marco Polo/Naxos and Russian Disc? But it's a long time ago!! The First Symphony is a peach! And,I even quite like his Fourth Symphony ("Dramatic"). If Spohr and Raff can enjoy first rate recordings from the likes of Hyperion and Cpo,why not Anton Rubinstein? And,whatever anyone thinks of his music now (I know there are plenty of Rubinstein haters!) he was an important figure in the 19th century music scene!

Tippett: The Midsummer Marriage     Alberto Remedios (ten) Joan Carlyle (sop) Raimund Herincx (bar) Elizabeth Harwood (sop) Stuart Burrows (ten) Helen Watts (contr)
                                                      Elizabeth Bainbridge (mezzo) Stafford Dean (bass) Chorus & Orch of the Royal Opera House,Covent Garden/ Colin Davis

Aha! :o I was right! Strange as it may seem,after my previous posts;I actually find this opera far more approachable,lyrical and enjoyable than any of his choral,orchestral and instrumental works. There are actually some....shock,horror :o,nice noises here!! The string writing is less tortuous,more lyrical. The recording was made in 1971. Originally released on the Philips label; the singing is of the kind of calibre I miss in recordings these days. (It certainly helps!) There are Greek style choruses commenting on the action (as it were). At this point I'm going to quote Victor Meldrew (who I may be turning into?!! :o ;D)! A Tippet score I'm actually,quite,enjoying!!! I don't believe it!!! :o :o :o ;D This really has surprised me!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o Shock of the year,so far! I'm going to need a lie down! (Well it is bedtime! And my hernia is killing me!!)



         

I thought there was some really lovely music in The Poisoned Kiss. The libretto is widely considered to be the reason for it's plunge into obscurity. I think there are similarities with Holst's The Perfect Fool,in this respect? The arias for contralto,incidentally,reminded me,very much,of similar roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan canon. Buttercup,in particular! The soloist even sounded like her (the one in the famous D'Oyly Carte Pinafore recording,anyway!). One number towards the end reminded me of one of those Edwardian musicals. (I wish someone would do a really good recording of The Arcadians!) Needless to say,the time passed quickly. And,as I said (typed!) in my earlier post,I find Vaughan Williams' operas a bit of a struggle! This one is more of an operetta. Which was the intention,apparently. And,for me,all the more enjoyable!

Vaughan Williams: The Poisoned Kiss    Various soloists-there's quite a list!  Chorus/Adrian Partington singers BBCNOW/ Richard Hickox    Chandos

Puccini wanted to write an operetta like Lehár and came up with La Rondine! Vaughan Williams wanted to compose an operetta in the vein of Sullivan,,and the result was The Poisoned Kiss. I must admit that while VW's operas contain allot of lovely music they do meander about for my taste. (Like my b***** posts!) When I listen to them I find myself continually looking at the track timings on the mini hi-fi's display! This one contains allot of lovely music,though. And often,very beautiful,indeed........and,tuneful. Although,rest assured,there's nothing anywhere as catchy as the tunes in The Mikado or HMS Pinafore!! Nevertheless,the fact that he was trying to compose something,deliberately lightweight,makes it all the more enjoyable to my,jaded,ears! The singers have lovely voices,too. The women are,particularly,good. There are brief snatches of dialogue;but most of it has been left out. What the h**** going on,I don't know?! (Poison,magic spells and hobgoblins!) And neither did anyone else,apparently?!! Since I never really bother with librettos,anyway (just a cursory glance at the plot!) I don't particularly care! Vaughan Williams was at the height of his powers when he composed this. Unfortunately,the libretto holed it;and it sunk like a stone! Enter,Chandos to the rescue!! Was it worth it? Yes,I think so? It fills in a gaping hole in the VW discography! It gives us an opportunity to evaluate a major work in one of VW's most creative periods. And even I like it!! :o ;D Although,I still think I'll be playing my Gilbert and Sullivan cd's more often?!! ;D

I didn't know,myself.It just says in the booklet/s. (Like Manuel,I know nothing!) And every other review of the Salzedo cd's seems to refer to it! I do know the music they're referring to. Back in the days before property and antique shows took over the bbc schedules. The open university logo would appear and the 'fanfare' (as wikipedia refers to it!). I would then quickly turn over!!

I think that tortoise passed me today,when I went out for a brisk walk?!! ::) :(

Richard Arnell: String Quartets 1-5      The Tippett Quartet      Dutton

After my less than enthusiastic posts about Tippett,I have to thank a Quartet named Tippett,for these premiere recordings! This music has a bracing,athletic quality to it,with fine,brooding,slow movements. I suppose it's as good as you might expect from the composer of those symphonies?! These were composed during his stay in New York.

I haven't said much about Salzedo's music,because I haven't fully made my mind up yet! I have had the two cds I own,of his String Quartets (and a Violin Sonata) for some time. The music draws on his Sephardic Jewish heritage in places,and has an eastern flavour at times. It also draws inspiration from his interest in ballet and dance. I 'm starting to think it's very intriguing,interesting listening. You will (probably) have heard a piece of music by him,though! Even if you think you don't?!! To quote wikipedia He composed "the fanfare which forms the first six bars of Salzedo's Divertimento for three trumpets and three trombones, opus 49 (1959), (which) was used as the theme tune for the Open University's educational programmes on BBC television and radio from the 1970s to the 1990s". His most successful ballet The Witch Boy and Divertimento Espagñol were once available on a Classics for Pleasure Lp,conducted by the composer,himself (never released on cd). The Witch Boy is available here,I believe?! (I haven't looked,recently!) I did have the Lp of The Witch Boy once,and it didn't make that much impression on me. Maybe,it was the mood I was in? Maybe,it was my crappy record player?! ::) I think these String Quartets are more interesting,though!

NB: He also played on some "legendary" Beecham recordings,as a member of the Rpo (Those,Haydn symphonies!). He also,helped Beecham with his reorchestration of Grétry.
       In return,Beecham conducted his First Symphony,at the Royal Festival Hall!
       

 ;D Indeed! I was thinking it could apply to me?!! ::) ;D

I was just wondering whether the dubious addition of nice artwork and booklet notes might help me like,The Flowing Tide,a little more?! ::) ;D I agree that if Vernon Handley can't,then I don't think anyone else could! And I did try! I even recorded it off the radio,once (on a cassette tape)! (Presumably,the Handley performance?) I think his chamber and instrumental music is better. That said,I don't think I'll be playing them right now! And hey,I'm not!! :o ;D I think the Piano Sonata is the best thing I've heard by him;and I did quite enjoy it. (And I preferred it to Michael Tippett! ;D) But,I share your reservations. His life story,which does make an interesting read, seems to have been one of early promise,subsequently unfulfilled. (How many times have I read that one?!!)

Playing now! Leonard Salzedo: String Quartet No 10,Opus 140 (1997)    Archaeus Quartet     MPR

Playing now! Leonard Salzedo: String Quartet No 5,Opus 32,No 1 (1950-52 second rev.1995)    Archaeus Quartet     MPR

Playing now! Leonard Salzedo: String Quartet No 1,Opus 1 (1942) Archaeus Quartet     MPR

Reservations aside,I did quite enjoy Benjamin Dale's Piano Sonata! :)

Only a van?!! I thought you'd be needing a juggernaut?!! ;D