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The Music Room => Composer Discussion => Topic started by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 03:21:28 AM

Title: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 03:21:28 AM
I was prompted to start this thread having listened to a disc of orchestral music by Ernest Farrar (1885-1918) and contemplating what a tragic loss to music his death was. There is a lovely Chandos CD of his music, sadly deleted, and only available at an absurd price on Amazon UK (cheaper on Amazon.Com). However, a download is available more sensibly priced. He was the teacher of Finzi who hero-worshipped him and was completely distraught when Farrar was killed. The 'Heroic Elegy' (May 1918) was his final orchestral work - Farrar returned to Harrogate on leave from the Amy to conduct the first performance on 3rd July 1918; a few weeks later he was killed leading his men in the Battle of Epehy Ronssoy and is buried in a war cemetery there. Retrospectively some of his music has an added poignancy which is heart-breaking. In particular the 'Heroic Elegy' with its sad processional tone, utilising the old 'Song of Agincourt'. As the booklet writer says it would be a very appropriate work to play before a performance of 'A Pastoral Symphony' by Vaughan Williams. The writer aptly says that 'The Elegy opens with an introduction haunted by the atmosphere of bleak dust on the battlefield and is followed by a noble funeral march. Going on to the earlier 'English Pastoral Impressions' - the central movement 'Bredon Hill' I found even more moving that the movement in 'On Wenlock Edge' by Vaughan Williams of the same title, great as that work is. The Farrar work, I don't mind saying, had me in tears. There is a poignant photo of him, in military uniform, in the booklet.

Rather than just me rambling on about Farrar I thought I'd extend the scope to include other composers killed in World War One (Ivor Gurney died some years later in an asylum but probably as a result of the horrors he experienced in the trenches). Others like George Butterworth and Alberic Magnard (who died in rather different circumstances) come to mind as well:
[asin]B000000B1Y[/asin]

Heroic Elegy (1918):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywxOZrz46JU
Grave of Ernest Farrar:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9679560#view-photo=30829039
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Cato on August 02, 2018, 03:41:47 AM
Many thanks for this topic!  Here is an article with a short list of such unfortunate young composers: one of the links seems to have been canceled.

http://www.michaeldrislane.com/2014/08/25/composers-who-died-in-wwi/ (http://www.michaeldrislane.com/2014/08/25/composers-who-died-in-wwi/)
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: violinconcerto on August 02, 2018, 03:54:42 AM
I recently published the score for a work by Aladar Rado (1882-1914) who died on battle field near Belgrade on the very first days of World War I. If someone is interested in his "Spring song for violin and piano" one can find the score here: www.tobias-broeker.de (https://www.tobias-broeker.de/rare-manuscripts/m-r/rado-aladar/)
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Cato on August 02, 2018, 04:11:27 AM
Quote from: Cato on August 02, 2018, 03:41:47 AM
Many thanks for this topic!  Here is an article with a short list of such unfortunate young composers: one of the links seems to have been canceled.

http://www.michaeldrislane.com/2014/08/25/composers-who-died-in-wwi/ (http://www.michaeldrislane.com/2014/08/25/composers-who-died-in-wwi/)

Here is a replacement for the canceled link, which featured W.D. Browne's To Gratiana Dancing and Singing:

https://www.youtube.com/v/UjR91VzRxkQ
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 04:29:41 AM
Quote from: Cato on August 02, 2018, 04:11:27 AM
Here is a replacement for the canceled link, which featured W.D. Browne's To Gratiana Dancing and Singing:

https://www.youtube.com/v/UjR91VzRxkQ

Cheers Leo and thanks for reminding us of that absolutely beautiful song by W Denis Browne, which I remember enthusing about when I first discovered it. Ursula Vaughan Williams thought it superior of any other British song of its time, including those written by her husband and I think she was right. As far as I'm concerned it is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Of course in November we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One - so maybe a good time to revive interest in these composers whose lives were tragically cut short in that conflict.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Biffo on August 02, 2018, 04:36:08 AM
Hyperion issued a disc of the music of Cecil Coles back in 2002. There doesn't seem to be any follow up, possibly the disc contains all that he wrote. Another sad loss. I have the Farrar disc and will have to revisit it.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 04:43:42 AM
Quote from: Biffo on August 02, 2018, 04:36:08 AM
Hyperion issued a disc of the music of Cecil Coles back in 2002. There doesn't seem to be any follow up, possibly the disc contains all that he wrote. Another sad loss. I have the Farrar disc and will have to revisit it.

Totally agree with you - that is a fine disc and I recall that it generated much interest when it was released.

[asin]B000067ULU[/asin]

Another fine Hyperion cover image.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 04:47:26 AM
Quote from: violinconcerto on August 02, 2018, 03:54:42 AM
I recently published the score for a work by Aladar Rado (1882-1914) who died on battle field near Belgrade on the very first days of World War I. If someone is interested in his "Spring song for violin and piano" one can find the score here: www.tobias-broeker.de (https://www.tobias-broeker.de/rare-manuscripts/m-r/rado-aladar/)

Very interesting, thanks for alerting us to him - I had never heard of Rado.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: calyptorhynchus on August 02, 2018, 01:10:46 PM
I don't want to underestimate the suffering of someone caught up in WW1, but I do believe that the consensus is now the Gurney's mental health was not primarily due to WW!, but that it was an underlying condition that had manifested before the war, probably bipolar.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: André on August 02, 2018, 05:26:03 PM
Louis Vierne didn't die in WWI, but his son did, aged 17. Vierne had written an exemption to allow him to go to War. The guilt-ridden composer grieved endlessly. Catharsis came in the form of his Piano Quintet, which he dedicated to his son's memory. It's one of the most moving and powerful chamber music works I know.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 10:19:57 PM
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on August 02, 2018, 01:10:46 PM
I don't want to underestimate the suffering of someone caught up in WW1, but I do believe that the consensus is now the Gurney's mental health was not primarily due to WW!, but that it was an underlying condition that had manifested before the war, probably bipolar.

Yes, I heard that view as well. Thanks - difficult to be sure I guess.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 10:21:38 PM
Quote from: André on August 02, 2018, 05:26:03 PM
Louis Vierne didn't die in WWI, but his son did, aged 17. Vierne had written an exemption to allow him to go to War. The guilt-ridden composer grieved endlessly. Catharsis came in the form of his Piano Quintet, which he dedicated to his son's memory. It's one of the most moving and powerful chamber music works I know.

Didn't know that - thanks Andre. I will look out for Vierne's Piano Quintet.
Just found this one inexpensively. One review compared it to Cesar Franck's chamber music which I like.
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Bliss's 'Morning Heroes' comes to mind here because although the composer survived the horrors of the Western Front his brother Kennard did not and Morning Heroes, possibly Bliss's masterpiece was written, about 1930, to extirpate recurring nightmares about the war and his much-loved brother's death.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 10:43:59 PM
A strong recommendation from me - this is a lovely CD devoted to music by composers whose lives were effected by World War One. The performance of the Butterworth is the best I have heard, oddly reminiscent of Sibelius at one point. The Finzi is a great discovery (as mentioned above he was despondent over the death of his teacher Ernest Farrar in the War).
[asin]B00NQ9HVM2[/asin]

Finzi's moving 'Requiem da Camera' is dedicated in memory to his teacher Ernest Farrar.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Draško on August 03, 2018, 01:46:19 AM
Phenomenal talent. Huge loss.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51kBzIHbZbL.jpg)

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

Music for Orchestra (1910)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PyOBgnTSeY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WpYyBAo8_U

Music for Orchestra (1912)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtQiz5Li89I

Music for seven stringed instruments (1911)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okhadcK1T3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XIwX5ZlmMg
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 03, 2018, 03:22:23 AM
Quote from: Draško on August 03, 2018, 01:46:19 AM
Phenomenal talent. Huge loss.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51kBzIHbZbL.jpg)

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

Music for Orchestra (1910)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PyOBgnTSeY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WpYyBAo8_U

Music for Orchestra (1912)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtQiz5Li89I

Music for seven stringed instruments (1911)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okhadcK1T3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XIwX5ZlmMg
I agree with you and I'd never heard of him. Music for Orchestra (1912) almost seems like a premonition of things to come. He already interests me more than Richard Strauss. He was sadly killed on the Eastern Front in 1915. Thank you for posting this. I will be exploring his music (just ordered the CD you posted). His music reminds me a little of that of Zemlinsky.

Here is 'English Pastoral Impressions' by Ernest Farrar (1915).
The central movement 'Bredon Hill' which begins five minutes into the work is the one that I found very moving, especially in view of what was ahead for him.

https://youtu.be/5Jf3LYjkh0Q
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 03, 2018, 03:35:28 AM
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on August 02, 2018, 01:10:46 PM
I don't want to underestimate the suffering of someone caught up in WW1, but I do believe that the consensus is now the Gurney's mental health was not primarily due to WW!, but that it was an underlying condition that had manifested before the war, probably bipolar.

I've linked a review I wrote for the 'Flowers of the Field' CD which includes music by Gurney. If you look at the comments section you'll see that there was a posting about Gurney's mental condition, which first alerted me to the interesting point that you made:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R6N9W322B7FKK/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00NQ9HVM2
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Cato on August 03, 2018, 03:45:40 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 02, 2018, 10:21:38 PM

Didn't know that - thanks Andre. I will look out for Vierne's Piano Quintet.
Just found this one inexpensively. One review compared it to Cesar Franck's chamber music which I like.
[asin]B00005QIT5[/asin]


Andre' is quite right!  Here is a YouTube performance with the score:

https://www.youtube.com/v/T9rCTrkIKnM

What about Lili Boulanger ?  She died during WW I, from a disease, but did have a connection to the war.  This work would seem to have been influenced by the wartime atmosphere:

https://www.youtube.com/v/1OERJAjoHRY
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 03, 2018, 04:32:54 AM
Quote from: Cato on August 03, 2018, 03:45:40 AM
Andre' is quite right!  Here is a YouTube performance with the score:

https://www.youtube.com/v/T9rCTrkIKnM

What about Lili Boulanger ?  She died during WW I, from a disease, but did have a connection to the war.  This work would seem to have been influenced by the wartime atmosphere:

https://www.youtube.com/v/1OERJAjoHRY

Thanks Leo - the Vierne does indeed sound very fine as Andre said and I've liked everything I've ever heard by Lili Boulanger. 'D'un soir triste'' sounds especially darkly beautiful.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Roasted Swan on August 03, 2018, 05:33:25 AM
I would generally recommend the very extensive series of discs from Hortus collectively titled "Les Musiciens et la grande guerre".  Beautifully presented, interestingly programmed and in the main performed with real sensitivity - often using period pianos to good effect.  Volume XVIII - Ombres et Lumières - includes some Rudi Stephan and the magnificent Vierne Piano Quintet mentioned earlier.


Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Cato on August 03, 2018, 05:37:27 AM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on August 03, 2018, 05:33:25 AM
I would generally recommend the very extensive series of discs from Hortus collectively titled "Les Musiciens et la grande guerre".  Beautifully presented, interestingly programmed and in the main performed with real sensitivity - often using period pianos to good effect.  Volume XVIII - Ombres et Lumières - includes some Rudi Stephan and the magnificent Vierne Piano Quintet mentioned earlier.


The link does not work, but here is an image:

(http://www.editionshortus.com/visuels/cd/718-ombresetlumieres.gif)
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Roasted Swan on August 03, 2018, 05:39:02 AM
thanks - I was just inserting an image while you posted!
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 03, 2018, 05:40:42 AM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on August 03, 2018, 05:33:25 AM
I would generally recommend the very extensive series of discs from Hortus collectively titled "Les Musiciens et la grande guerre".  Beautifully presented, interestingly programmed and in the main performed with real sensitivity - often using period pianos to good effect.  Volume XVIII - Ombres et Lumières - includes some Rudi Stephan and the magnificent Vierne Piano Quintet mentioned earlier.

How interesting! Was totally unaware of this imaginative sounding series. Thank you.

I see that one of their releases features the concertos for left hand by Ravel and Korngold written for the pianist Paul Wittgenstein who lost his right hand in the First World War.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: André on August 03, 2018, 06:39:40 AM
The pain of the survivors: Louis Vierne experienced it massively.

Interesting bio details from a Gramophone review of the quintet:

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/vierne-piano-quintet (https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/vierne-piano-quintet)

Booklet notes from the Hyperion disc.  A long but fascinating read:


https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67258 (https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67258)
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 03, 2018, 11:55:15 AM
Quote from: André on August 03, 2018, 06:39:40 AM
The pain of the survivors: Louis Vierne experienced it massively.

Interesting bio details from a Gramophone review of the quintet:

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/vierne-piano-quintet (https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/vierne-piano-quintet)

Booklet notes from the Hyperion disc.  A long but fascinating read:


https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67258 (https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67258)
Thank you Andre. The Hyperion note is one of the most extraordinary and tragic I have ever read. I loved the opening quote from Vierne.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 09, 2018, 10:17:14 PM
Quote from: Draško on August 03, 2018, 01:46:19 AM
Phenomenal talent. Huge loss.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51kBzIHbZbL.jpg)

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

Music for Orchestra (1910)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PyOBgnTSeY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WpYyBAo8_U

Music for Orchestra (1912)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtQiz5Li89I

Music for seven stringed instruments (1911)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okhadcK1T3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XIwX5ZlmMg

This is a fine disc and a great discovery so thank you. The later Music for Orchestra in particular is a terrific work with its glowering opening and culminating in a section that reminds me a bit of the inspiriting conclusion of Sibelius's 2nd Symphony. I agree with you that he was a great loss to music, along with Butterworth, Farrar and too many others. I'm waiting for, Andre's recommendation, the Vierne Piano Quintet to turn up.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Cato on August 10, 2018, 01:21:48 PM
Louis Vierne's piano work, 12 Preludes, shows his emotional response to World War I:

https://www.youtube.com/v/LfdUPNy0cUc

Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: bwv 1080 on August 10, 2018, 01:44:41 PM
Other than Webern, who else was killed in WW2?
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Roasted Swan on August 10, 2018, 01:45:32 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 03, 2018, 05:40:42 AM
I see that one of their releases features the concertos for left hand by Ravel and Korngold

Volume 10 of the Hortus/Les Musiciens et la Grande Guerre series indeed does include the Korngold/Wittgenstein commissioned left hand concerto - and its a very fine version indeed.  BUT the coupling is the Britten Left-hand Diversions.  Another impressive recording and performance - unusual in this series for being of orchestral works.  Perhaps a different volume includes the Ravel left hand concerto I don't know - but its not on this disc.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Roasted Swan on August 10, 2018, 01:46:58 PM
Walter Leigh at Tobruk for one.  Add any number of Jewish composers...... Hans Krasa, Schulhoff, Gideon Klein, Pavel Haas, Viktor Ullmann for starters.......
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 11, 2018, 04:19:38 AM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on August 10, 2018, 01:46:58 PM
Walter Leigh at Tobruk for one.  Add any number of Jewish composers...... Hans Krasa, Schulhoff, Gideon Klein, Pavel Haas, Viktor Ullmann for starters.......

I've enjoyed everything I've heard by Pavel Haas.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Draško on August 11, 2018, 04:28:16 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2018, 10:17:14 PM
This is a fine disc and a great discovery so thank you. The later Music for Orchestra in particular is a terrific work with its glowering opening and culminating in a section that reminds me a bit of the inspiriting conclusion of Sibelius's 2nd Symphony. I agree with you that he was a great loss to music, along with Butterworth, Farrar and too many others. I'm waiting for, Andre's recommendation, the Vierne Piano Quintet to turn up.

Glad you like it. I first heard of Stephan several years ago when Kirill Petrenko programmed two of his pieces for a concert with Berlin Philharmonic (the rest of the concert was Scriabin's Poeme de l'extase and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms). It was terrific concert, I was blown away. It was available to stream from their site for free for a while.

Vierne's Piano Quintet is superb piece, dark and emotional. I'm sure you'll like it.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 11, 2018, 04:58:19 AM
Quote from: Draško on August 11, 2018, 04:28:16 AM
Glad you like it. I first heard of Stephan several years ago when Kirill Petrenko programmed two of his pieces for a concert with Berlin Philharmonic (the rest of the concert was Scriabin's Poeme de l'extase and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms). It was terrific concert, I was blown away. It was available to stream from their site for free for a while.

Vierne's Piano Quintet is superb piece, dark and emotional. I'm sure you'll like it.

Sounds like a great concert and thank you for the initial recommendation, which has been a very nice discovery for me.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: kyjo on August 11, 2018, 08:16:00 AM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on August 10, 2018, 01:46:58 PM
Walter Leigh at Tobruk for one.  Add any number of Jewish composers...... Hans Krasa, Schulhoff, Gideon Klein, Pavel Haas, Viktor Ullmann for starters.......


Heard Klein's String Trio live in concert recently and found it to be a really superb work. The slow movement is quite moving.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: ritter on August 11, 2018, 02:13:56 PM
We haven't yet mentioned Albéric Magnard, have we?   :-[
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 11, 2018, 02:26:17 PM
Quote from: ritter on August 11, 2018, 02:13:56 PM
We haven't yet mentioned Albéric Magnard, have we?   :-[
See the opening post of this thread.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: ritter on August 12, 2018, 10:14:52 AM
So I see now. Apologies, my mistake.  :-[
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 14, 2018, 01:40:24 AM
Quote from: ritter on August 12, 2018, 10:14:52 AM
So I see now. Apologies, my mistake.  :-[
No need to apologise!
:)
Always worth mentioning Magnard again. I'd love to have seen how his music would have developed and really like symphonies 3 and 4 and Chant Funebre.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on August 16, 2018, 01:26:31 AM
Quote from: André on August 02, 2018, 05:26:03 PM
Louis Vierne didn't die in WWI, but his son did, aged 17. Vierne had written an exemption to allow him to go to War. The guilt-ridden composer grieved endlessly. Catharsis came in the form of his Piano Quintet, which he dedicated to his son's memory. It's one of the most moving and powerful chamber music works I know.

What a fine reflective and deeply-felt work it is Andre! Thank you - another great discovery (on Hyperion) through this forum.
:)
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Irons on September 20, 2018, 09:06:28 AM
I am convinced that George Butterworth would have become a major composer if he had not perished at the Battle of the Somme aged 31. To go from this in 1912 https://youtu.be/bQEkXMCusuI?t=59s to the horror that was to follow! A modest man, I read  the command  of his unit was shocked to discover after his death that he was a composer. They had no idea. "A Shropshire Lad" and "The Banks of Green Willow" stand as a fitting tribute.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on September 20, 2018, 09:09:19 AM
Quote from: Irons on September 20, 2018, 09:06:28 AM
I am convinced that George Butterworth would have become a major composer if he had not perished at the Battle of the Somme aged 31. To go from this in 1912 https://youtu.be/bQEkXMCusuI?t=59s to the horror that was to follow! A modest man, I read  the command  of his unit was shocked to discover after his death that he was a composer. They had no idea. "A Shropshire Lad" and "The Banks of Green Willow" stand as a fitting tribute.
Yes, I agree. I think that from the point of view of music he was the greatest loss of all.,
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 12:16:31 AM
Time, perhaps, to revive this thread at least for a day or two.

Here is Farrar's 'English Pastoral Impressions' (1915):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jf3LYjkh0Q

I'd especially recommend the very poignant (in the circumstances) and beautiful 'Bredon Hill' from about five minutes in and an interesting contrast to Vaughan Williams's 'Bredon Hill' in 'On Wenlock Edge'. I think that Farrar's was a major talent, tragically cut short (he was killed a hundred years ago in 1918). He was the teacher of Finzi who was deeply affected by the loss.

There is a very fine Chandos CD featuring Farrar's music but it seems very expensive now (£96 on Amazon UK though less expensive on Amazon.com) so I thought that I'd post this extract.

Here is the 'Heroic Elegy' - about his last work (1918) I think:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ywxOZrz46JU
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Biffo on November 10, 2018, 12:57:54 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 12:16:31 AM
Time, perhaps, to revive this thread at least for a day or two.

Here is Farrar's 'English Pastoral Impressions' (1915):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jf3LYjkh0Q

I'd especially recommend the very poignant (in the circumstances) and beautiful 'Bredon Hill' from about five minutes in and an interesting contrast to Vaughan Williams's 'Bredon Hill' in 'On Wenlock Edge'. I think that Farrar's was a major talent, tragically cut short (he was killed a hundred years ago in 1918). He was the teacher of Finzi who was deeply affected by the loss.

There is a very fine Chandos CD featuring Farrar's music but it seems very expensive now (£96 on Amazon UK though less expensive on Amazon.com) so I thought that I'd post this extract.

Here is the 'Heroic Elegy' - about his last work (1918) I think:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ywxOZrz46JU

Thanks for your reminder of this album.

I don't know where Amazon get their ludicrous prices from. The album is still available from Chandos as a lossless download for £9.99. If you have to have a CD Chandos will supply an Archive CDR for £13.25.

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%209586
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Irons on November 10, 2018, 01:07:33 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 12:16:31 AM
Time, perhaps, to revive this thread at least for a day or two.

Here is Farrar's 'English Pastoral Impressions' (1915):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jf3LYjkh0Q

I'd especially recommend the very poignant (in the circumstances) and beautiful 'Bredon Hill' from about five minutes in and an interesting contrast to Vaughan Williams's 'Bredon Hill' in 'On Wenlock Edge'. I think that Farrar's was a major talent, tragically cut short (he was killed a hundred years ago in 1918). He was the teacher of Finzi who was deeply affected by the loss.

There is a very fine Chandos CD featuring Farrar's music but it seems very expensive now (£96 on Amazon UK though less expensive on Amazon.com) so I thought that I'd post this extract.

Here is the 'Heroic Elegy' - about his last work (1918) I think:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ywxOZrz46JU

Looking at this earlier this week  http://www.michaeldrislane.com/2014/08/25/composers-who-died-in-wwi/ beside Butterworth and Gurney, Farrar was the only name I had heard of. Thanks for posting the links, I have not listened to "Heroic Elegy yet but thought "English Pastoral Impressions" lovely. The juxtaposition of this peaceful and pastoral music and the horror of the Western Front is jaw-dropping.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 01:33:13 AM
Quote from: Irons on November 10, 2018, 01:07:33 AM
Looking at this earlier this week  http://www.michaeldrislane.com/2014/08/25/composers-who-died-in-wwi/ beside Butterworth and Gurney, Farrar was the only name I had heard of. Thanks for posting the links, I have not listened to "Heroic Elegy yet but thought "English Pastoral Impressions" lovely. The juxtaposition of this peaceful and pastoral music and the horror of the Western Front is jaw-dropping.
Thanks for the link which reminded me of W. Denis Browne, who composed perhaps my favourite song 'To Gratiana, dancing and singing'. Ursula Vaughan Williams thought it even superior to any of her husband's songs. Here it is, in a recording I had never hear before sung by Wilfred Brown who recorded the best ever version of Finzi's 'Dies Natalis':

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BPjpe0aZZrQ
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 01:36:43 AM
Quote from: Biffo on November 10, 2018, 12:57:54 AM
Thanks for your reminder of this album.

I don't know where Amazon get their ludicrous prices from. The album is still available from Chandos as a lossless download for £9.99. If you have to have a CD Chandos will supply an Archive CDR for £13.25.

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%209586

Thanks very much Biffo. Fortunately I bought the original album when it first came out.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Biffo on November 10, 2018, 02:07:07 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 01:36:43 AM
Thanks very much Biffo. Fortunately I bought the original album when it first came out.

I have the CD but can't remember whether I bought it as a new issue or it came to me in a Chandos Mystery Box. Currently, Chandos have a CD sale of deleted titles, mostly at £2.50 each. Discs of Holst, Bliss and Philips arrived this morning.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 02:26:17 AM
Quote from: Biffo on November 10, 2018, 02:07:07 AM
I have the CD but can't remember whether I bought it as a new issue or it came to me in a Chandos Mystery Box. Currently, Chandos have a CD sale of deleted titles, mostly at £2.50 each. Discs of Holst, Bliss and Philips arrived this morning.

Very interesting! Thanks.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on November 11, 2018, 12:28:29 AM
Turned on Radio 3 this morning to hear the last part of Farrar's 'Heroic Elegy' which was poignant.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: Irons on November 11, 2018, 06:19:43 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 10, 2018, 01:33:13 AM
Thanks for the link which reminded me of W. Denis Browne, who composed perhaps my favourite song 'To Gratiana, dancing and singing'. Ursula Vaughan Williams thought it even superior to any of her husband's songs. Here it is, in a recording I had never hear before sung by Wilfred Brown who recorded the best ever version of Finzi's 'Dies Natalis':

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BPjpe0aZZrQ

What a voice! Many thanks.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on November 11, 2018, 08:42:17 AM
Quote from: Irons on November 11, 2018, 06:19:43 AM
What a voice! Many thanks.

My pleasure!

Very appropriate for today I think.
Title: Re: Composers killed in the First World War.
Post by: vandermolen on November 11, 2018, 09:17:13 AM
Although Bliss survived the trenches of World War One his brother did not. Morning Heroes was written in 1930 to expiate survivor's guilt and nightmares of the trenches:
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