Duttons for May/June

[tapiola]

Oh ye of little faith.  :D

[jimfin]

The British releases are all right, but, apart from the Milford, all easy available in other versions. Nothing as exciting as the recent Brian/Howells releases or the Bate when that comes.

[Dundonnell]

Oh ye of little faith.  :D

True, true.......... ;D

I do enjoy it though when my natural pessimism is proved unfounded ;D ;D

I do certainly know about the Dutton plans to record the Havergal Brian 2nd and 14th symphonies. That will be an exciting release :) The Marco Polo 2nd from the Moscow Symphony Orchestra was underwhelming and a proper rendering will be eagerly anticipated. And I have always had a soft spot for the 14th.

[Dundonnell]

The British releases are all right, but, apart from the Milford, all easy available in other versions. Nothing as exciting as the recent Brian/Howells releases or the Bate when that comes.

Indeed.

[cilgwyn]

Oh ye of little faith.  :D

True, true.......... ;D

I do enjoy it though when my natural pessimism is proved unfounded ;D ;D

I do certainly know about the Dutton plans to record the Havergal Brian 2nd and 14th symphonies. That will be an exciting release :) The Marco Polo 2nd from the Moscow Symphony Orchestra was underwhelming and a proper rendering will be eagerly anticipated. And I have always had a soft spot for the 14th.

"Underwhelming" has to be the understatement of the year! And ruining one of my favourite Brian symphonies.......the rotters!! >:( ;D
(I knew about that one too,incidentally! ;D)

[cilgwyn]

Not that they have actually ruined it....the music is still there to listen to,via the files here (and the cdr's I made of them! :)) Thank you to all concerned!
Henry Hadley?! I have enjoyed what I have heard. I hope it's a symphony! I wish Dutton would do some Arthur Farwell too. The Gods of the Mountain-Suite on the 3cd Bridge set was a real find,at least for me,with it's chilling finale,"The Stone Gods Come!" I find it quite eerie. It makes me want to hear some more of his output!

[tapiola]

No Hadley symphony but numerous unrecorded works.
Why the Vaughan Williams?

[cilgwyn]

Thank you.tapiola. That will still be interesting.

[Dundonnell]

No Hadley symphony but numerous unrecorded works.
Why the Vaughan Williams?

Why the Britten and Delius Violin Concertos ??? ???

There are, roughly, 20 recordings of the Britten and about 8 recordings of the Delius already on cd. Nothing wrong with adding fresh interpretations but that is not something which Dutton previously engaged in.

I suspect that it boils down to finance.

[Bosque Bill]

As one of the few around here passionately interested in American music, I can say I'm happy to see Dutton's interest in that vein continues. While Hadley's music has long struck me as undistinguished romanticism (though expertly crafted), the John Carpenter disc holds great promise. "Krazy Kat" is a hoot, typical of the composer at his best. While I'd rather see a second disc of Frederick Converse -- the tone poem "California," his "Scarecrow Sketches" and one of the late symphonies -- the Carpenter will serve very nicely. And, heck, I may even try out the Hadley. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Toby Esterhase]

Frankly i'd prefer that Dutton would focus on British music.

[cilgwyn]

So would I! That's one of the things that made Lyrita such a great label. They had a focus.
After reading Bosque Bill's post,I thought I'd have another listen to Henry Hadley. I have enjoyed his music as part of the wonderful 3cd Bridge set,and I did wonder if I would enjoy it this time around. Well,imho (as they say) while there is nothing extraordinary about this music,it is highly enjoyable. Maybe the ideas could be a little more memorable,but this is a fun late romantic style wallow. The only problem I have with it really is the recording. This kind of music really does need lush strings and a sumptuous recording quality,which you don't get on these ancient old recordings. Some of the other composers on the set seem to come off better. Not bad recordings,just a little on the dry side,to my ears,and you need those sweeping strings! That said,I agree that there are other American composers from that period that are more individual. 

[tapiola]

Many people inside Dutton feel as we do about British music. Tony Dutton wants to branch out somewhat and it's his company. There are still many Brit goodies in store!

[chill319]

If Dutton wants to branch out towards the client colonies, I think with the right conductor and ensemble he would score a home run with the two Arthur Shepherd symphonies (plus the Overture to a Drama).

[Bosque Bill]

Terrific idea about the Shepherd symphonies. I've heard that poor Lois Lane recording (sonically, not performance-wise) of the first symphony, "Horizons," and it's way overdue for a modern recording. Seems Shepherd really had something to say. Don't know anything about the second. I'm surprised the Mormons haven't stepped forward to do something to rectify matters, given his strong connections there.

Ultimately, so much of it comes down to funding. If a grant or gift can be made available to defray even just some of the costs, recording companies are more likely to consider a project. I remember writing to members of Ernst Bacon's family about their nonprofit, which funded musical performances of his very fine works. I suggested they use some of the funds to instead leverage a recording of his music to better cement and spread his legacy. Never heard back from them. This was just after Naxos did an excellent recording of his "Ford's Theater." Oh, well.

I've made it known to a few close acquaintances in the recording industry that if they ever attempt recordings of specific American works, I'd like to help out with a small grant or gift of, say, $5,000 or so. Even just that seems to get some attention, more so than if I'd come forward with nothing at all. And helping out with the notes and research (including, yes, tracking down manuscripts) helps, too.