Tears of Stone: Jon Leifs 1899-1968

[vandermolen]

I'll try to listen to some Leifs tonight too.

[vandermolen]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-rmaBz_WpM


Listened to this 'Elegia' (In Memoriam) op. 53

Found it very moving.

[Brian]

Brand new BIS album this month.

Scherzo concreto
Quintet for flute, clarinet, bassoon, viola, and cello
Pastoral variations for string quartet
Elegies, for male choir, mezzo-soprano, and violin

"These recordings have previously been released by the Smekkleysa label.
Remastered by BIS Records for the present release."

[Mirror Image]

Brand new BIS album this month.

Scherzo concreto
Quintet for flute, clarinet, bassoon, viola, and cello
Pastoral variations for string quartet
Elegies, for male choir, mezzo-soprano, and violin

"These recordings have previously been released by the Smekkleysa label.
Remastered by BIS Records for the present release."

Hah! I own the original Smekkleysa issue.

[vandermolen]

Hah! I own the original Smekkleysa issue.

What's it like John?

[Mirror Image]

What's it like John?

Haven't even heard it yet, Jeffrey. So much music, so little time...

[vandermolen]

Haven't even heard it yet, Jeffrey. So much music, so little time...

Yes, I can relate to that.   

[Brian]

Today, a note from BIS CEO Robert von Bahr:

"We are quietly collecting the Complete Music Edition of the totally unique Icelandic composer Jón Leifs (it doesn't take more than max 10 seconds of listening to any of his works to immediately pinpoint him as the composer) and there isn't so much remaining - but what there is remaining is fraught with so massive difficulties to arrange that I wonder if we can."

I suppose true Leifs fans will be able to figure out what he speaks of!

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Question for fans of this composer.

I have Saga Symphony but no other Leifs. If you could recommend 1 (one) other CD of his orchestral music, what would it be?

[vandermolen]

Question for fans of this composer.

I have Saga Symphony but no other Leifs. If you could recommend 1 (one) other CD of his orchestral music, what would it be?

[asin]B000000AYJ[/asin]

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Thanks Vander...why this disc in particular? I'm surprised you didn't mention one of those geological mega-noisemakers like Hekla or Geysir.

[vandermolen]

Thanks Vander...why this disc in particular? I'm surprised you didn't mention one of those geological mega-noisemakers like Hekla or Geysir.

My pleasure! I think was the first Leifs CD I bought and my first contact with his music. It's a while since I heard it but I recall thoroughly enjoying it. I know that you asked for orchestral music and it features the Icelandic Cantata, however most of the music on the CD is orchestral. I recall especially liking the atmospheric 'Fine 1' and 'Fine 2'. If you track back through this thread I'm sure you'll find some more megalomaniacal musical suggestions. 'Geysir' is definitely recommended as well, as is the soundtrack from the movie 'Tears of Stone' which features many extracts from Leifs's music. 
[asin]B000004A4M[/asin]
It's worth reading the review of the CD on the Amazon UK site:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tears-Stone-Various/dp/B000004A4M/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1510298480&sr=1-4&keywords=Tears+of+stone
The CD seems to be available dirt cheap on both the UK and US Amazon sites.

[Mirror Image]

My favorite Leifs works aren't the natural wonder sonic blockbusters, but works like Elegy, Requiem, Fine I & II, Consolation, Réminiscence du nord, 2 Songs, and Night.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

My favorite Leifs works aren't the natural wonder sonic blockbusters, but works like Elegy, Requiem, Fine I & II, Consolation, Réminiscence du nord, 2 Songs, and Night.

A couple of these are on the disc that has Hekla, so that might be a good choice.

[North Star]

A couple of these are on the disc that has Hekla, so that might be a good choice.

That's the only Leifs disc I have so far, a good choice. And indeed particularly for Réminiscence du nord, Requiem and Elegy.

[vandermolen]

A couple of these are on the disc that has Hekla, so that might be a good choice.

I'm sure you'll enjoy that one as well.

[Mirror Image]

A couple of these are on the disc that has Hekla, so that might be a good choice.

Yep, that disc is great. Don't get wrong these natural wonder blockbusters are great fun, but, for me, they don't represent the composer at his most personal. Much like Elgar's Pomp & Circumstance Marches or Enescu's Romanian Rhapsodies don't really reveal the composer we've come to know in their more intimate works.

[Brian]

BIS is recording Edda, Part II, and posting behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process on their Facebook page. Head on over to their Facebook and take a look - they are up to Part 9 of the video series, "Strange Instruments"!

[vandermolen]

BIS is recording Edda, Part II, and posting behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process on their Facebook page. Head on over to their Facebook and take a look - they are up to Part 9 of the video series, "Strange Instruments"!

Excellent news!
Thanks for letting us know.

[Symphonic Addict]

Having created a thread concerning Leifs lately, I decided to listen to some of his most epic works: Parts I and II from Edda.



The first feature that springs to mind is the sense of something really primitive and ancient. Leifs knew how to conjure up this kind of feelings by using the orchestra to fulfill the expectations of listeners. The particular rhythm one associates with him is there, and it enhances the sense of rawness. The choruses are impressively dramatic, overwhelming, though the work is not devoid of calm and ethereal moments like in Night, Morning movement (the longest one). A kind of Scottish bagpipe appears in some parts, and I found that detail interesting. The last movements contain music of tremendous impact. The finest aspect of this work, in my view, is the magnificent atmosphere throughout. A very fruitful listen altogether.

As for Edda - Part II, there is no too difference with the part I. It's a natural continuation in both musicality and atmosphere, but I felt it too monotonos and few contrasted. That distinctive rhythm becomes repetitive and doesn't help that much. Some parts for the timpani near the ending were impetuous, though, and I love when composers use them that way. Again, the last movements were some I found most exciting and really enthralling. Sadly I wasn't as impressed as by Part I, it was a bit of a letdown comparing it with the latter.