Scandinavian and Finnish composers.

[Roasted Swan]

Fair enough! But do you have confirmation that Dacapo will eventually be releasing Bendix's 2nd and 4th symphonies?

Inside track on this..... there are plans to record symphonies 2 & 4.  However, the intention is to record No.4 with Bendix's final revisions/corrections as well as a different ending.  These exist in composer sketches so it will take some time to edit/transcribe these into a performable edition.

I have to say I was very impressed indeed by both works.  Yes for sure there are a couple of not-completely-worked-through passages particularly in No.1 but to my ear this is a reflection on Bendix's individuality.  I would much rather have some passages that don't quite work for all the freshness and invention elsewhere compared to so many "by-the Leipzig-rule-book" works trotted out by dozens of worthy composers who not doubt passed their exams with flying colours and a complete lack of genius........

Don't wait for volume 2 - enjoy volume 1 asap!!

[kyjo]

Inside track on this..... there are plans to record symphonies 2 & 4.  However, the intention is to record No.4 with Bendix's final revisions/corrections as well as a different ending.  These exist in composer sketches so it will take some time to edit/transcribe these into a performable edition.

I have to say I was very impressed indeed by both works.  Yes for sure there are a couple of not-completely-worked-through passages particularly in No.1 but to my ear this is a reflection on Bendix's individuality.  I would much rather have some passages that don't quite work for all the freshness and invention elsewhere compared to so many "by-the Leipzig-rule-book" works trotted out by dozens of worthy composers who not doubt passed their exams with flying colours and a complete lack of genius........

Don't wait for volume 2 - enjoy volume 1 asap!!

Good to know - thanks for the report, RS!

In contrast to my favorable impressions of Bendix's Symphonies 1 and 3, I was less than impressed recently by his rather pedestrian-sounding (IMHO) Piano Concerto in G minor, recorded here:



I must have something wrong with my ears, because all the Amazon reviewers preferred the Bendix over the accompanying Rudolph Simonsen (1889-1947) Piano Concerto in F minor (1915), whereas my reaction was precisely the opposite! The Simonsen is a big-boned, uber-Romantic work with a stern, dramatic first movement, a gorgeously lyrical slow movement, and a virtuosic, exciting finale. It's not particularly derivative of anyone and contains some ear-catching harmonic surprises every now and then. It's wonderfully performed here by pianist Oleg Marshev and the Aalborg SO under Matthias Aeschbacher, and can easily rank with some of the finer PCs featured in Hyperion's RPC series.