Henry Litolff (1818-1891)

[Albion]

I have enjoyed everything that I have heard by Litolff: the exquisite Scherzo from his fourth Concerto Symphonique for piano and orchestra has unfortunately overshadowed the high quality of the rest of his output (all four extant piano Concertos are available on Hyperion).

It is high time that we had commercial recordings of his four "Symphonic Dramas" (c.1850-52) based on the French Revolution: we have three of these in the broadcast archive...

 

[Grandenorm]

As one who has studied his scores, I can honestly say there is much to enjoy. All of it is tuneful and well crafted. I would like to see recordings of all 3 piano trios, the string quartet, the "Eroica" concerto symphonique for violin and orchestra, all the opera overtures and as much of the operas as survive, the Scenes from Faust, and a good selection of the solo piano music (almost all of which is salon fare, but very good of its kind)...

[Albion]

the "Eroica" concerto symphonique for violin and orchestra

I would dearly love to hear this. Hyperion RVC?

To clarify my initial post, here are the details of the four French Revolution pieces (as I posted them on Wikipedia):

Le Dernier Jour de la Terreur (later retitled Maximilien Robespierre), drame symphonique No.1 (later styled Ouverture zum Trauerspiel), Op. 55 (c.1850-52)

Les Girondins (Die Girondisten), drame symphonique No.2 (later styled Ouverture zum Trauerspiel), Op. 80 (c.1850-52)

Les Guelfes (later retitled Das Welfenlied von Gustav von Meyern), drame symphonique No.3 (later styled Ouverture heroique), Op. 99 (c.1850-52)

Chant des Belges, drame symphonique No.4 (later styled Ouverture dramatique), Op. 101 (c.1850-52)

Thankfully all were published contemporaneously in full score by Richault, Paris.

 

[Grandenorm]

A little bird tells me that a very good trio have recorded the first 2 piano trios by Litolff, with the 3rd in the pipeline - possibly, if a suitable companion trio can be found (I have suggested Bronsart's). And this on a well known label with a reputation for excellence. I can say no more at present.