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Henry Litolff (1818-1891)

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Albion
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Frederic Cowen (1852-1935)


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« on: February 08, 2019, 08:19:22 pm »

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...

 ::)
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"A piece is worth your attention, and is itself for you praiseworthy, if it makes you feel you have not wasted your time over it." (Sydney Grew, 1922)

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« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2019, 11:26:58 pm »

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)...
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« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2019, 02:31:48 pm »

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.

 :)
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"A piece is worth your attention, and is itself for you praiseworthy, if it makes you feel you have not wasted your time over it." (Sydney Grew, 1922)
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« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2019, 11:33:09 am »

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.
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« Reply #4 on: December 03, 2019, 04:26:10 pm »

Hyperion. Out in February 2020.
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« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2019, 07:50:16 pm »

iTunes & Amazon show Jan 31 as release date.

https://www.amazon.com/Litolff-Piano-Trios-Leonore-Trio/dp/B07ZWBF1G6/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=litolff+piano+trios&qid=1575402243&s=music&sr=1-2-catcorr

https://music.apple.com/us/album/litolff-piano-trios-nos-1-2/1482936734
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Albion
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« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2021, 05:08:58 pm »

Just like Litolff's Concerto Symphonique No. 1

The above quote is from the Cowen thread, regarding lost scores.

The loss of the Litolff [Piano] Concerto Symphonique No.1 is a real tragedy, but luckily numbers 2-5 have been splendidly recorded by Hyperion in their Romantic Piano Concerto series. He deserves more recognition (like Berlioz, he was a true original) and I reiterate my wish for more attention to be paid to his music, especially...

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.

 :)

...and some of these are available as off-air recordings in the archive here.

 ::)
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"A piece is worth your attention, and is itself for you praiseworthy, if it makes you feel you have not wasted your time over it." (Sydney Grew, 1922)
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« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2021, 05:56:07 pm »

Agreed on all points. It's probably to Litolff's disadvantage that his life was such a cosmopolitan whirl. If he'd been a French citizen, rather than just a sometime resident, his music might fare better. As everybody knows, our friends across La Manche take their culture a bl**dy sight more seriously than we take ours.
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