Charles T. Griffes

[vandermolen]

Not to hose this post down, but I find nothing wrong with the Naxos recording. In fact, it's simply the only game in town until another all-Griffes orchestral recording emerges, which I doubt will be anytime soon. Anyway, I thought Falletta did an excellent job. She clearly has this music under her grasp and understands Griffes' idiom. I'd like to hear the London Symphony Orchestra or even the Cleveland Orchestra in this music, but I'm just going to stop dreaming.

Point taken - maybe this is because I grew up with the Gerhardt LP.

[Dax]

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=rbLA6nwjeJY&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DrbLA6nwjeJY

Griffes piano sonata highly recommended

[SonicMan46]

Boy, I posted back in early 2009 and still have the same 2 discs - obviously, Griffes has not been in my thoughts recently - 

I'd love to replace that 'piano disc' but not sure about the choices (a lot of mediocre comments on Amazon, e.g. about the Naxos offerings) - NOW, there is one w/ Garrick Ohlsson (love his Chopin box) about to be released in the USA - will wait for reviews; there is also an older recording by Joseph Smith offered as an Arkiv CD-R that seems to have been well received.

But will be curious about further comments on this early 20th century American composer; unfortunately, he died @ 35 years of age from the flu - 

 

[madaboutmahler]

Just listened to:
http://www.youtube.com/v/UBFpEpJc7PU

My first listen to Griffes and I love it. Lovely piece, great orchestration, very Debussian which was what I was expecting. Love the ending, beautiful touch with the celesta. Would be keen to hear more.

[asin]B00016ZKPS[/asin]

Anyone have any opinions on this disc?

[Mirror Image]

Just listened to:
http://www.youtube.com/v/UBFpEpJc7PU

My first listen to Griffes and I love it. Lovely piece, great orchestration, very Debussian which was what I was expecting. Love the ending, beautiful touch with the celesta. Would be keen to hear more.

[asin]B00016ZKPS[/asin]

Anyone have any opinions on this disc?

Yes, as it stands it's the only game in town for an all-orchestral recording of Griffes. You'll love that recording, Daniel. Plus, it's cheap as hell, so why not?

One work that really impressed me was Bacchanale. It's a very short work maybe 4-5 minutes in length but a great miniature. Found a video for it:

http://www.youtube.com/v/AVgbEkBWuqs

[madaboutmahler]

Yes, as it stands it's the only game in town for an all-orchestral recording of Griffes. You'll love that recording, Daniel. Plus, it's cheap as hell, so why not?

One work that really impressed me was Bacchanale. It's a very short work maybe 4-5 minutes in length but a great miniature. Found a video for it:

http://www.youtube.com/v/AVgbEkBWuqs

Thanks for the link and feedback, John! Loved the Bacchanale, brilliant piece! Will definitely be getting that cd!

[Brian]

Yes, as it stands it's the only game in town for an all-orchestral recording of Griffes.

...almost.



On the Falletta but not the Schwarz: three poems (with soprano), Clouds

On the Schwarz but not the Falletta: nothing, actually

I reviewed the Schwarz, but didn't compare it directly to Falletta work-by-work. My summary: "As for this disc, Scott Goff's flute solo work in the Poem is extraordinary - no wonder he was with the orchestra for 42 years! - and Gerard Schwarz really understands the sensual, impressionistic idiom of the music. The sound from 1990 has aged well, though as always it's worth pointing out that the Seattle Symphony has since moved to a hall with yet finer acoustics, so don't expect the sonic opulence of the new Rimsky-Korsakov CDs."

By the way, here's another chance to point out Garrick Ohlsson's doing a Griffes piano album next month. I'm excited for it!

[Octave]

I'm really glad Hugo posted that YT of KUBLA.  It's the very first I've heard of Griffes' music, and I think I'm going to really get into it.  Add to abjectly out-of-control Naxos purchase pile!

[Mirror Image]

Forgot about that Schwarz recording but it's still not an all-Griffes recording like Falletta, but it's halfway there.

[Mirror Image]

Thanks for the link and feedback, John! Loved the Bacchanale, brilliant piece! Will definitely be getting that cd!

Yes, Daniel, buy the Falletta Griffes recording. You won't regret it.

[springrite]

Boy, I posted back in early 2009 and still have the same 2 discs - obviously, Griffes has not been in my thoughts recently - 

I'd love to replace that 'piano disc' but not sure about the choices (a lot of mediocre comments on Amazon, e.g. about the Naxos offerings) - NOW, there is one w/ Garrick Ohlsson (love his Chopin box) about to be released in the USA - will wait for reviews; there is also an older recording by Joseph Smith offered as an Arkiv CD-R that seems to have been well received.

But will be curious about further comments on this early 20th century American composer; unfortunately, he died @ 35 years of age from the flu - 

 

The NAXOS recording of the piano music is not up to par, at least compared to the old LP with Noel Lee, it is miles ahead of the NAXOS. So I will get the Ohlsson for sure!

[Lisztianwagner]

I completely agree about Griffes' The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan, it's an absolutely wonderful work, very suggestive and evocative; I love the overwhelming energy, the orchestration, the colour and the exotic melodies expressed by this piece. I think it perfectly depicts Coleridge's poem, its dreamy visions, the incredible beauty of the landscapes where the palace stands, the haunting, romantically sublime atmospheres and the powerful images created. I'll certainly listen to more from this composer in the future.

[North Star]

I completely agree about Griffes' The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan, it's an absolutely wonderful work, very suggestive and evocative; I love the overwhelming energy, the orchestration, the colour and the exotic melodies expressed by this piece. I think it perfectly depicts Coleridge's poem, its dreamy visions, the incredible beauty of the landscapes where the palace stands, the haunting, romantically sublime atmospheres and the powerful images created. I'll certainly listen to more from this composer in the future.

Listened to it yesterday, good stuff! You should try the Bacchanale, too, Ilaria! (video posted by John a couple of posts ago)

[Lisztianwagner]

Listened to it yesterday, good stuff! You should try the Bacchanale, too, Ilaria! (video posted by John a couple of posts ago)

Thank you, Karlo, I'll have a listen to it now!

[Dax]

The piano sonata is a striking work - and probably his most individual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLA6nwjeJY

[SonicMan46]

Well after 8 months or so and after being re-introduced to this thread today, I just ordered the Ohlsson CD from Amazon - finally!     Dave

I'd love to replace that 'piano disc' but not sure about the choices (a lot of mediocre comments on Amazon, e.g. about the Naxos offerings) - NOW, there is one w/ Garrick Ohlsson (love his Chopin box) about to be released in the USA - will wait for reviews; there is also an older recording by Joseph Smith offered as an Arkiv CD-R that seems to have been well received.

But will be curious about further comments on this early 20th century American composer; unfortunately, he died @ 35 years of age from the flu - 

 

[Mirror Image]

I bought that recording, too, Dave. I love Impressionistic solo piano music. This is about the only style of music I can tolerate when it comes to solo piano music, though. I look forward to hearing these Griffes works.

[lescamil]

Throw in another vote for the Griffes Piano Sonata. It's not the best written sonata ever, nor the greatest from that time period, but it sure keeps my interest and there is a lot of interesting music in it. Ohlsson did a really nice job on that new Hyperion recording. He makes a lot of the music sound better than it really is. A lot of the piano works are nice, but they just feel like they're missing something. Still, a really nice recording worth listening to.

[snyprrr]

The piano sonata is a striking work - and probably his most individual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLA6nwjeJY

Just heard it (Lawson),... wow, such a piece!!... very dark and perfumed and exotic... some of the most exotic Piano Music I've heard... Szymanowski but from another part of the world??...

[Mandryka]

Just heard it (Lawson),... wow, such a piece!!... very dark and perfumed and exotic... some of the most exotic Piano Music I've heard... Szymanowski but from another part of the world??...

Or Scriabin. I agree that it's a nice sonata, unfortunately when I've explored Griffes other piano pieces I was less impressed, he may be a one hit wonder.