Boris Papandopulo (1906. - 1991.)

[bob_cart]

Boris Papandopulo was a Croatian composer born in Bad Honnef in Germany. He was the son of a Greek nobleman and a Croatian opera singer. He studied conducting in Vienna (Austria) and before that composition in Zagreb (Croatia) where he spent most of his life.



I thought I'd share a Croatian composer here on the forums in order to give the Croatian music scene some publicity. He is considered, and probably was Croatia's best composer. He wrote around 440 pieces, but the number of recordings is sadly, very small. I'd personally recommend listening to his xylophone concerto for starters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSOgHxtmSBE If you like it just a little bit I recommend looking up some of his other works. I'd love to hear some praise and/or critique. Cheers!

[vandermolen]

This is most enjoyable and just released.
Last movement of PC 3 v much in the Gershwin/populist Bernstein mould. Busoni's PC came to mind at the start and admirers of Rachmaninov/Prokofiev (especially Prokofiev I think) may well enjoy this epic work. Beautifully recorded and performed.
[asin]B01MZFABTB[/asin]
I think that it's very magnanimous of me to be promoting this music in view of England's recent World Cup experience.

[Daverz]

I've enjoyed the PC #3 many times already. 

According to Wikipedia: "counting cca 460 works"(!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Papandopulo

There's also a disc with the PC #2:

[asin]B00L5TEMFE[/asin]

[vandermolen]

I've enjoyed the PC #3 many times already. 

According to Wikipedia: "counting cca 460 works"(!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Papandopulo

There's also a disc with the PC #2:

[asin]B00L5TEMFE[/asin]

I've just received it. The middle movement sounds glorious in the sample I heard on Amazon. Hope to report back later.

[Scion7]

He was a prolific lad:

orchestral
Dozivanje kiše [Call for the Rain], Symphony  poem, 1925 (composed/published)
Phantasy, piano, orch, 1930 (composed/published)
Symphony  no.1, 1930 (composed/published)
Sinfonietta, str, 1938 (composed/published)
Violin Conc., 1943 (composed/published)
piano Conc. no.1, 1944 (composed/published)
Symphony  no.2, 1946 (composed/published)
piano Conc. no.2, 1947 (composed/published)
Kolo druga Tita [Comrade Tito's Reel-Dance], Symphony  variations, 1948 (composed/published)
Praeludium, 1949 (composed/published)
Concertino, trumpet, timpani, str, 1950 (composed/published)
Koncertna uvertira [Ov. Concertante], 1951 (composed/published)
Poema o Neretvi [The Poem of the Neretva], Symphony  poem, 1951 (composed/published)
Divertimento, str, 1953 (composed/published)
Bassoon Conc., 1958 (composed/published)
Vrzino kolo [Witch's Reel-Dance], Symphony  scherzo, piano, orch, 1958 (composed/published)
piano Conc. no.3, 1959 (composed/published)
Harpsichord Conc., 1962 (composed/published)
Boje i kontrasti [Colours and Contrasts], variations, 1963 (composed/published)
Concert Music, fl, hp, str, perc, 1965 (composed/published)
Double-Bass Concerto, 1968 (composed/published)
Marche arabe symphonique, 1968 (composed/published)
4 Timpani Conc., 1969 (composed/published)
U početku bijaše ritam [In the Beginning there was Rhythm], 1969 (composed/published)
Conc. grosso I, wind qnt, perc, str, 1971 (composed/published)
Hommage à Bach, 1973 (composed/published)
Pintarichiana, str, 1974 (composed/published)
Pop-Conc., 2 piano, orch, 1974 (composed/published)
Per aspera ad astra, org, orch, 1976 (composed/published)
Mali concert [Little Conc.], piccolo, orch, 1977 (composed/published)
Double Conc., Violin, cello, orch, 1978 (composed/published)
Concertino, oboe, orch, 1981 (composed/published)
Clarinet Conc., 1982 (composed/published)
Trombone Conc., 1983 (composed/published)
Xylophone Conc., 1983 (composed/published)
Mali concert, piano, str, 1983 (composed/published)
Sinfonia brevis, 1984 (composed/published)
Svečana uvertira [Solemn Ov.], 1985 (composed/published)
Triple Conc., oboe, clarinet, bassoon, str, 1986 (composed/published)
Double Conc., oboe, xylophone, str, 1987 (composed/published)
Saxophone Conc., 1987 (composed/published)
Conc. grosso II, wind qnt, str, 1990

chamber music
6 string quartets: op.7, 1927 (composed/published)
op,20, 1931 (composed/published)
op.126, Nr.1 1945 (composed/published)
Nr.2 1950 (composed/published)
Nr.3 1970 (composed/published) 1983
Suite, op.12, vn, pn, 1929;
Concertino in modo antico, pn, cello, 2 vns, 1935;
Introduzione, arioso e danza, op.78, cello, piano, 1938 (composed/published)
Quintet, op.90, clarinet, str qt, 1940 (composed/published)
Mala suita [Little Suite], wind trio, 1949 (composed/published)
Phantasy, Violin, piano, 1950 (composed/published)
3 Studies, Violin, piano, 1950 (composed/published)
3 Movts, wind quintet, 1954 (composed/published)
Sonata, va, piano, 1956 (composed/published)
3 Movts hp, 1960 (composed/published)
Elegy, bassoon, piano, 1965 (composed/published)
Razgover ugodni [A Pleasant Conversation], fl, hpd, 1969 (composed/published)
Mali koncert [Little Conc.], wind quintet, 1971 (composed/published)
5 Studies, 2 Violin, 1972 (composed/published)
Sextet, 2 Violin, viola, cello, double-bass, piano, 1974 (composed/published)
3 Dialogues, Violin, double-bass, 1974 (composed/published)
In modo antico preludium and fugue, piano trio, 1975 (composed/published)
Monologue, Violin, 1976 (composed/published)
Passacaglia, organ, 1977 (composed/published)
Toccata cromatica, org, 1977 (composed/published)
Quartet, guitar, Violin, viola, cello, 1977 (composed/published)
Scherzo, bassoon, piano, 1978 (composed/published)
Sonata, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, guitar, 1982 (composed/published)
Lyrical Trio, pn, vn, cello, 1982;
Prelude, horn, organ, 1982 (composed/published)
Wind Octet, 1985 (composed/published)
Suite, harpsichord, 1986 (composed/published)
Chamber Conc., Violin, wind quintet, 1986 (composed/published)
Papandopulijada, Violin, viola, piano, 1986 (composed/published)
Meditation, Violin, piano, 1987 (composed/published)
Trio, trumpet, horn, trombone, 1987 (composed/published)
Rapsodia concertante, cello, piano, 1987 (composed/published)
Trio, fl, bassoon, piano, 1987 (composed/published)
Sonata, Violin, piano, 1988 (composed/published)
Preludij, organ, 1990 (composed/published)
Legenda, horn, harp, 1990 (composed/published)
Igra u 2 [A Game for 2], oboe, vibraphone, 1990

Piano
Sonata no.1, 1929 (composed/published)
2 Preludes, 1930 (composed/published)
Partita, 1930 (composed/published)
Contradanza, 1931 (composed/published)
Igra (Scherzo fantastico), 1932 (composed/published)
Hrvatski tanac [Croatian Dance], c1934 (composed/published)
Sonatina, 1942 (composed/published)
Mali koncert [Little Conc.], 1945 (composed/published)
Sonata no.2, a, 1951–2 (composed/published)
8 Studies, 1956 (composed/published)
Dodekafonski koncert, 2 piano, 1960 (composed/published)
Plesna suita [Dance Suite], piano 4-hands, 1968 (composed/published)
'10×1', 1989 (composed/published)

... quite a bit of vocal works

[Symphonic Addict]

Looking forward to this release:



There are five numbered SQs (1-3, 5 and 6) on this recording, the No. 4 is apparently lost.

[Symphonic Addict]

Interesting to read that he also composed symphonies. I want to listen to them someday.

[Scion7]

I can't read, let alone speak, Serbo-Croatian, so the biographies are out the bloody window!  Have to make do with liner notes and the New Grove.

vocal
Cantatas.: Slavoslovje [Laudamus] (Bible), S, A, T, B, SATB, orch, 1926–7 (composed/published)
Stojanka, Majka Knežopojka [Stojanka, Mother of Knež-polje] (S. Kulenović), S, SATB, orch, 1950 (composed/published)
Ustanici [Rebels] (H. Humo), SATB, orch, 1951 (composed/published)
Oranje Kraljevića Marka [Prince Marko's Ploughing] (A. Muradbegović), S, A, T, B, SATB, orch, 1956 (composed/published)
Legende o drugu Titu [Legends about Comrade Tito] (V. Nazor), S, Mez, A, Bar, spkr, SATB, 2 fl, 3 trp, perc, 1960 (composed/published)
Konjanik [Horserider] (J. Kaštelan), Bar, chbr ens, 1961, Borbena kantata [Warriors' Cant.] (P. Cindrić), spkr, S, A, T, B, SATB, orch, 1961 (composed/published)
Srce od ognja [Heart of Fire] (Kaštelan), Mez, Bar, SATB, orch, 1965 (composed/published)
Ruke prema noći [Hands Extended to the Night] (N. Turkalj), children's chorus, SATB, orch, 1968 (composed/published)
Gospi od Zdravlja [To Virgin Mary of the Health], S, T, SATB, orch, 1971 (composed/published)
Istarske freske iz Berma [Istrian Frescoes from Beram] (V. Fajdetić), SATB, orch, 1973 (composed/published) Libertas (S. Stražičić) B, SATB, orch, 1974 (composed/published)

Credo: Legenda o mojoj zemlji [Credo: a Legend about my Homeland] (I. Krajač), S, A, T, B, spkr, children's chorus, 2 SATB, orch, 1975 (composed/published)
PodneViolina simfonija [Midday Symphony ] (M. Krleža), S, A, T, B, SATB, 1980 (composed/published)
Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro (L. Paljetak), S, SATB, orch, 1981 (composed/published)
Varaždinska rapsodija [Varaždin Rhapsody] (G. Krklec, Z. Milković), A, B, SATB, orch, 1981 (composed/published) Pohvala DubroVioliniku [Praise to DubroViolinik] (L. Paljetak), B, SATB, orch, 1983 (composed/published)
Oda Križaniću [Ode to Krizanić] (I. Golub), T, SATB, 1983 (composed/published)
Ep o sloboeodi [Epos about the Freedom] (B. Karakaš), S, A, T, B, children's chorus, orch, 1985 (composed/published)
Mile Gojsalica (J. Marušić), S, B, SATB, org, str, 1985 (composed/published)
Jubilate, T, SATB, orch, 1985 (composed/published)
Carmen Boscovichianum (V. Rabadan), S, A, T, Bar, B, org, 1987 (composed/published)
Himna suncu [Hymn to the Sun] (L. Paljetak), Bar, SATB, orch, 1987 (composed/published)
Pri sv. Kralju [At the Tri Kralja] (A.G. Matoš), T, SATB, orch, 1990 (composed/published)

Sacred: Pokoj vječni I [Requiem I], TB, 1930 (composed/published)
Pokoj vječni II, TB, 1935 (composed/published)
Muka gospodina našega Isukrsta (po Ivanu) [Passion of our Lord Jesus (according to St John)] S, A, T, B, TB, 1936 (composed/published)
Ps ii, T, TB, 1936 (composed/published)
Hrvatska misa [Croatian Mass], d, S, A, T, B, SATB, 1939 (composed/published)
Osorski requiem [Osor Requiem] (medieval Croatian), S, A, T, B, SATB, org, perc, sopele, elec gui, 1977 (composed/published)
Osorski misterij [Osor Misterium] (songbook from Osor, 1530), S, A, T, B, SATB, orch, 1977–8 (composed/published)
Poljička pučka misa [The Poljice Mass] (trad. text), SATB, org, 1983 (composed/published)
Ps cv, SATB, 1987  (composed/published)

Svatovske [Wedding Songs] (trad. ritual, folk texts), S, SATB, 1924 (composed/published)
Utva zlatokrila [Gold-winged Swan] (V. Nazor), S, A, T, B, SATB, 1932 (composed/published)
Dodolice (trad. ritual, folk texts), S, SA, piano, 1932 (composed/published)
LjubaVioline pjesme [Songs of Love] TB, before 1934 (composed/published)
Ps cxxxxviii, SA, 1936  (composed/published)

Conc. da camera, S, Violin, 7 wind insts, piano, 1929 (composed/published)
Pjesma ljubavi [Song of Love], cycle, S, piano, 1930 (composed/published)
Čakavska suita [Čakavian suite] (D. Gervais), lv, piano, 1955 (composed/published)
Hochzeitsgesang (H. Heine), Bar, org, 1978 (composed/published)
3 balade Petrice Kerempuha, S, eng hn, hp, 1978 (composed/published)
Poema o Mostaru [The Poem about Mostar] (H. Humo and A. Šantić), Symphony  poem, B, orch, 1980 (composed/published)


stage works
Zlato [Gold] (pantomime-ballet with singing, B. Pečić), Zagreb, 31 May 1930 (composed/published)
Amfitrion (comic op, M. Štimac and E. Golisciani, after Molière), Zagreb, 17 Feb 1940 (composed/published) Sunčanica [The Sun-Flower Girl] (romantic op, M. Šoljačić, after I. Gundulić), Zagreb, 13 June 1942 (composed/published) Žetva [Harvest] (ballet, N. Kirsanova), Sarajevo, 25 March 1950 (composed/published) Intermezzo (ballet, F. Horvat), Sarajevo, 25 May 1953 (composed/published) Rona (op, F. Delak, after A. Leskovac), Rijeka, 25 May 1955 (composed/published) Beatrice Cenci (ballet, F. Reyna), Zagreb, 11 March 1963 (composed/published) Džentlemen i lopov [Gentleman and Thee] (comic op, A. Aranicki, after B. Nusić), Split, 12 April 1974 (composed/published) Gitanella (ballet, N. Turkalj), 1966, unperf. (composed/published) Dr Atom (Q+H3+H2=He4+n+Q) (ballet, N. Fabrio), Rijeka, 29 Oct 1966 (composed/published) Menschen im Hotel/Ljudi u hotelu (ballet, P. Struck, after V. Baum), Vienna, 27 May 1967 (composed/published) Marulova pisan [Marul's Song] (festive music tableau, V. Rabadan), Split, 15 Aug 1970 (composed/published) Madame Buffault (fantastic op, P. Struck), 1972, unperf. (composed/published)
Kentervilski duh [The Canterville Ghost] (comic chbr op, N. Turkalj, after O. Wilde), Osijek, 5 June 1979 (composed/published)
Teuta (ballet, F. Horvat, after D. Demeter), Novi Sad, 10 April 1979 (composed/published)
3 kavalira gospođice Melanije [Miss Melanija's 3 Gallants] (ballet, B. Rakić, after M. Krleža), Zagreb, 19 April 1976 (composed/published)
Požar u operi [Fire at the Opera] (comic op, F. Hadžić), Zagreb, April 1983 (composed/published)
Kraljevo [Royal Fair] (ballet, J. Lešić, after Krleža), Zagreb, 13 Jan 1990 (composed/published)

along with incidental music and movie soundtrack music

[relm1]

Yikes, I just realized this is not the Armenian composer, Boris Parsadanian!  So I'll have to check out Boris Papandopulo.

[Scion7]

There are five numbered SQs (1-3, 5 and 6) on this recording, the No. 4 is apparently lost.

I believe A Song of Peace and Freedom Sounded Out (w/o opus) is considered a string quartet.

btw, apparently the Sebastian SQ had tackled a lot of these before a few years back on Croatian record labels ...

[Scion7]

Yikes, I just realized this is not the Armenian composer, Boris Parsadanian!

Yes, with that last name the other Armenian children would have beat him up on the playground ...

[Symphonic Addict]

I believe A Song of Peace and Freedom Sounded Out (w/o opus) is considered a string quartet.

btw, apparently the Sebastian SQ had tackled a lot of these before a few years back on Croatian record labels ...

According to the booklet notes, the 4th SQ is lost. Well, at least we have 5 out of 6.

[Symphonic Addict]

Finally got around to listen to this set. Well, the wait paid dividends. Just heard the first two quartets. Quite fabulous I must say! The music is heavily influenced by folk music, specifically by kolo, a folk dance from the Balkans. I associated what I heard with Mediterranean airs, there is something in the music that reminded me of Greek folk music as well. They're loaded with alluring gestures and some marked rhythms, above all in the 2nd which impressed me the most (the Scherzo fantastico is just smoking). These works are succeeding my expectations so far. The recording and interpretation sound quite fine too.

[Symphonic Addict]

Finishing up the CPO set of his string quartets + the Guitar Quartet and the Clarinet Quintet, I can confidently say it's one of my finds of this year, possibly the best one so far. The music has spark galore, no dull pieces at all and I can't imagine the interpretations being bettered. The String Quartets 2, 5, 6 and the Clarinet Quintet are the pieces that impressed me the most. Kudos to CPO for continuing bringing interesting repertoire to our attention.

[kyjo]

I've also been very positively impressed by Papandopulo's (great name) music! This CPO disc is sheer delight from start to finish:



I love when composers like Papandopulo write in a fairly "neoclassical" style without sacrificing emotion or color. This is music that exudes energy, spark, humor, and lyricism in spades. The PC no. 3 on a different CPO disc is also hugely enjoyable with its cosmopolitan echoes of Prokofiev, Poulenc, and even Gershwin. I'm looking forward to investigating his chamber works which Cesar praised!

[Symphonic Addict]

Another enticing release for 19 September: