Goossens: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 on Chandos including Violin Concerto

[patmos.beje]

At long last, after many years hoping for a release, Goossens’ Phantasy Concerto for Violin, Op.63 finally arrives on CD in January 2020 ;D :D :) [along with a new recording of Symphony No.2]

See: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8711914--goossens-orchestral-works-vol-3

and

https://naxosdirect.com/items/v3-orchestral-works-517063

There was, what seems to have been, a bootleg CD of the Concerto previously issued on an obscure label.  It appears to have been either the 1959 broadcast or 1960 proms performance either of which is likely to be the version one can hear on YouTube in poor sound:

[patmos.beje]

The CD is now advertised on the Chandos web page from where the CD booklet can be downloaded.

Prior to the physical release of the CD in January, the tracks can also now be downloaded as a media file from the Chandos web page (lossless and mp3 come together).

See: https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%205193

In my opinion the Phantasy (Violin) Concerto is a most interesting piece and, to be expected from Goossens, superbly orchestrated.  As anticipated, the Chandos sound quality is 'light years' from the almost 60 year old recording above. Whilst the musical material, like the earlier Phantasy (Piano) Concerto, is not immediately memorable, I expect, like the Phantasy (Piano) Concerto, the Phantasy (Violin) Concerto will grow on one through repeated hearings.  I certainly intend to give it such.  According to the booklet, the recorded performance is only the third ever performance of the work.  This is similar to the Violin Concerto of Erik Chisholm where the recorded performance was only the fourth.

A gap in the repertoire of commercially recorded British violin concertos has now been filled  :) ;) :D ;D

[patmos.beje]

Three reviews of this Chandos CD:

https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/tasmin-little-goossens/10112.article

https://newyorkarts.net/2020/02/a-crop-of-recordings-xxx-sir-eugene-goossens-alberic-magnard-and-mahler/

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/Jan/Goossens_orchestral_v3_CHSA5193.htm

[jimfin]

Dare I hope that Chandos are returning a bit more to their roots? We have the Sullivan songs volume 2 due probably next year as well, and I think Parry's Judith is to be Chandos.

[patmos.beje]

Dare I hope that Chandos are returning a bit more to their roots? We have the Sullivan songs volume 2 due probably next year as well, and I think Parry's Judith is to be Chandos.

Parry’s Judith is Chandos and is currently available from them as a download  :D :)