Message #30209

[cilgwyn]

Funnily enough,once I got used to Fricker's soundworld (for want of a more techical description,not being a musician) I have found him fairly 'easy' to listen to. His music is a bit 'grey' on first encounter,but subsequent listening reveals some quite surprising 'colour' to his orchestration. Pianos,harps,percussion,exciting drum thwacks. His slow movements are also suprising lyrical,and quite beautiful,in their own way. His music is also very exciting at times,in a visceral kind of way. It's just crying out for state of the art sound to reveal it's splendours. Hoddinott,conversely,is a composer that I do find quite thorny to listen to. You really have to be in the right mood. At least I do. Which is funny really,considering that his orchestration is quite obviously far more,conventionally,colourful than Fricker's. Unlike Fricker's I find I have to concentrate on Hoddinott's music very hard to follow the twists and turns of his thought processes. Fricker I can leave on in the background. I mean,okay it's not restaurant music ;D.but I don't have to think,"Right,I'm going to put some Hoddinott on now,grit my teeth,and brace myself for a tough listening session. Hiis Sixth is probably the sole exception!
Incidentally,I downloaded some of Fricker's shorter works and concertos from the 'music library' here. I put some of them ono a cd-r,and have found most of them just as satisfying and rewarding to listen to as his symphonies. Surely,the recording labels could record something,now they've 'used up' all the unrecorded York Bowen (well,nearly?!!). You won't hum Fricker in the shower;but come on.....he's not that difficult!!

NB: Shock horror! I might have some York Bowen in my collection,again,before long! I've got an EM Records cd of Walford Davies and Bliss Sonatas for Vln & Pno in the post. It's coupled with a 20
      min Sonata by Bowen. I bought it for the Walford Davies mainly,because I enjoyed his Violin Sonata No 2 on a Dutton cd. Who knows? I might even enjoy it?!!! :o ;D