Admiring Amirov 1922-1984

Started by listener, February 28, 2010, 07:59:43 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Angelos_05

Quote from: vandermolen on September 15, 2015, 07:53:22 AM
This might appeal to admirers of Amirov. Arif Melikov is another Azebaijani composer. His 'Legend of Love' ballet should appeal to admirers of the ballet music of Glazunov, Gliere, Prokofiev and especially Khachaturian. It is very approachable and entertaining but not, I think without depth. Striking cover art! My attention was held throughout the two discs.
[asin]B00SSLUVP2[/asin]
Here it is on You Tube:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8D57440DB8AC6093


Yes you're right, it's a very striking-appealing cover. You are sold only by its cover!  :-*
I have this on my radar for some time now,  and will buy it the first chance I get.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/June/Melikov_legend_MELCD1002326.htm

vandermolen

Quote from: Angelos_05 on September 16, 2015, 08:04:03 AM

Yes you're right, it's a very striking-appealing cover. You are sold only by its cover!  :-*
I have this on my radar for some time now,  and will buy it the first chance I get.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/June/Melikov_legend_MELCD1002326.htm
Interesting review. Thanks for posting. It is not great music but it is highly appealing, entertaining  and not without some depth. Certainly it would appeal to any admirer of Khachaturian's 'Spartacus' ballet for example or Gliere's 'The Red Poppy'.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Angelos_05

NY Philharmonic program notes from March 1960 when Leopold Stokowski introduced the Azerbaijan Symphonic Suite

http://archives.nyphil.org/index.php/artifact/c0d03a62-2764-4dbd-a45a-0403c6c2d527/fullview#page/4/mode/2up


vandermolen

Quote from: Angelos_05 on February 26, 2016, 09:20:55 PM
NY Philharmonic program notes from March 1960 when Leopold Stokowski introduced the Azerbaijan Symphonic Suite

http://archives.nyphil.org/index.php/artifact/c0d03a62-2764-4dbd-a45a-0403c6c2d527/fullview#page/4/mode/2up
I read this with much interest - many thanks for posting it.  :)
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

cilgwyn

I'm listening to some music by Amirov,I got from one of those 'blogs'. It's off an old mono Lp and none the worse for that,funnily enough! I wanted  something to go with a download of Oscar Levant playing Khatchaturian's Piano Concerto. I have to say this is lovely music. Very exotic,sinewy and colourful. It's also very beautiful and has a quite haunting,poetic,fairy tale atmosphere;although a bit sad in places,in the way that some of Khatchaturian's quieter music is. I am quite impressed!. The score is called,quite simply,Shur. It strikes me that Amirov deserves to be a little better known. Lovely! :) :) :)

vandermolen

Quote from: cilgwyn on July 19, 2017, 11:11:43 AM
I'm listening to some music by Amirov,I got from one of those 'blogs'. It's off an old mono Lp and none the worse for that,funnily enough! I wanted  something to go with a download of Oscar Levant playing Khatchaturian's Piano Concerto. I have to say this is lovely music. Very exotic,sinewy and colourful. It's also very beautiful and has a quite haunting,poetic,fairy tale atmosphere;although a bit sad in places,in the way that some of Khatchaturian's quieter music is. I am quite impressed!. The score is called,quite simply,Shur. It strikes me that Amirov deserves to be a little better known. Lovely! :) :) :)
There was some fine music on the old long-gone Olympia label. Also some Amirov on ASV and Naxos as will as Stokowski's recording. I really like his atmospheric and memorable music.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Dry Brett Kavanaugh


Quote from: relm1 on September 23, 2020, 03:44:41 PM
Check out Amirov's excellent Piano Concerto on Arabian themes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eKqxH7I2_4

Part of this excellent CD any lover of exotic music would enjoy.
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572666

Thanks to the suggestion by Relm1, I am listening to these wonderful discs. One of the reviews mentioned that Shostakovich admired his music. I also looked for the two Olympia discs, but they are oop. Hope they will be reissued sometime.

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

This disc is released in North America today!

kyjo

The Amirov/Nazirova Piano Concerto on Arabian Themes is a hugely enjoyable and tuneful work.
"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

#29
Quote from: Angelos_05 on August 17, 2015, 05:23:09 PM

I actually find quite a treat/delight Suleyman Aleskerov's Bayati Shiraz Symphonic Mugam
http://e-library.musigi-dunya.az/simf_mugam_en.html
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2,_%D0%A1%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B9%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD_%D0%AD%D0%B9%D1%8E%D0%B1_%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BB%D1%8B


I am looking for recordings of Suleyman Elesgerov, aka. Suleiman Aleskerov. If any of you know where I can find it, please let me know.

vandermolen

#30
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on September 25, 2020, 07:01:15 AM
This disc is released in North America today!
I have this Naxos CD plus the old Olympia with the ballet. The CD was poorly reviewed in Gramophone recently but I rather enjoy both works although the symphonic Mugams are my favourites. If you don't already know it you might like 'Legend of Love' by Melikov with its striking cover art:
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: vandermolen on September 15, 2015, 07:53:22 AM
This might appeal to admirers of Amirov. Arif Melikov is another Azebaijani composer. His 'Legend of Love' ballet should appeal to admirers of the ballet music of Glazunov, Gliere, Prokofiev and especially Khachaturian. It is very approachable and entertaining but not, I think without depth. Striking cover art! My attention was held throughout the two discs.
[asin]B00SSLUVP2[/asin]
Here it is on You Tube:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8D57440DB8AC6093

Looks interesting!  Thank you for the YT link. I will listen today!

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: vandermolen on August 20, 2015, 03:23:10 PM
Extract from a Letter from Francis Wilson (founder of Olympia) to me in December 1995.

'Among recent releases since you appear to be attracted by Soviet music, I can recommend to you the Amirov 'Arabian Nights' ballet which displays an incredible variety of musical style.' I found the letter in an old glossy Olympia catalogue that he sent me (those were the days).

I am sure many members here know a lot about Mr. Francis Wilson, founder of Olympia. But just in case, here is an obituary article of him. He had a wonderful life.
How is over all reputation/opinion about Olympia/Melodia recordings?

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/may/24/francis-wilson-obituary?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

vandermolen

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on October 26, 2020, 06:38:09 AM
I am sure many members here know a lot about Mr. Francis Wilson, founder of Olympia. But just in case, here is an obituary article of him. He had a wonderful life.
How is over all reputation/opinion about Olympia/Melodia recordings?

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/may/24/francis-wilson-obituary?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Thank you for posting the obituary of Francis Wilson SBK, which is of great interest to me for two reasons. Firstly, I had dealings with Francis Wilson over many year. I never spoke to him although I do remember speaking to him on the phone once. I had never seen a photograph of him either, so, I was very interested to see what he looked like. Secondly, the Guardian obituary was co-written by Robin Vaughan, the boss at Alto Records, whom I have frequent communications with over booklet notes for Alto releases. My understanding is that the Olympia releases of the Myaskovsky symphonies, which had been pioneered by Francis Wilson, was completely undercut by the release of the Warner box set (with rubbish notes). Melodiya had, I believe, reneged on an agreement with Francis Wilson to give Olympia exclusive rights to issue the Svetlanov set. This apparently undermined Francis Wilson's health, contributing to his premature death - a sad end to a fine career.
As to the recordings, they are variable, but as in the case of the Shebalin symphonies for example there is no alternative. I also loved those old Olympia Socialist Realist CD covers:
[/img][/img][/img]
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

vandermolen

Here are some Amirov ones:
[/img]
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: vandermolen on October 26, 2020, 10:21:47 AM
Thank you for posting the obituary of Francis Wilson SBK, which is of great interest to me for two reasons. Firstly, I had dealings with Francis Wilson over many year. I never spoke to him although I do remember speaking to him on the phone once. I had never seen a photograph of him either, so, I was very interested to see what he looked like. Secondly, the Guardian obituary was co-written by Robin Vaughan, the boss at Alto Records, whom I have frequent communications with over booklet notes for Alto releases. My understanding is that the Olympia releases of the Myaskovsky symphonies, which had been pioneered by Francis Wilson, was completely undercut by the release of the Warner box set (with rubbish notes). Melodiya had, I believe, reneged on an agreement with Francis Wilson to give Olympia exclusive rights to issue the Svetlanov set. This apparently undermined Francis Wilson's health, contributing to his premature death - a sad end to a fine career.
As to the recordings, they are variable, but as in the case of the Shebalin symphonies for example there is no alternative. I also loved those old Olympia Socialist Realist CD covers:
[/img][/img][/img]


Jeffrey, I am glad to hear that you read the article with your fond memory of Mr. Wilson. It seems to me that he loved the music he produced very much. Sorry to hear the tough side of business. I guess he had to deal with a nomenklatura firm in the post-Soviet Russia. I love the art covers of Olympia too. They are classy and elegant. Olympia's Amirov discs are oop and the prices are very high. I am waiting for their prices to come down.  Would you possibly suggest the Alto president to reissue these discs please?   ;D ;D

Melikov disc was fun. Sumptuous arrangement and orchestration. I will look for his other works as well.

vandermolen

#36
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on October 26, 2020, 06:25:35 PM

Jeffrey, I am glad to hear that you read the article with your fond memory of Mr. Wilson. It seems to me that he loved the music he produced very much. Sorry to hear the tough side of business. I guess he had to deal with a nomenklatura firm in the post-Soviet Russia. I love the art covers of Olympia too. They are classy and elegant. Olympia's Amirov discs are oop and the prices are very high. I am waiting for their prices to come down.  Would you possibly suggest the Alto president to reissue these discs please?   ;D ;D

Melikov disc was fun. Sumptuous arrangement and orchestration. I will look for his other works as well.
Hi SBK. In my earlier post I meant that I'd never met Francis Wilson although I'd spoken to him on the phone and often wrote to him about music, in the days before email I think. He was very kind and copied or sent me some of the old Melodiya CD releases (symphonies 24 and 25 for example) when they were otherwise unavailable and he sent me the first of the Olympia complete Myaskovsky symphony series (symphonies 1 and 25) as a freebie, which was very kind of him. I still have some of the typed-up letters and old Olympia catalogues that he sent to me. It was Francis Wilson who recommended Amirov to me, I'd never heard of him before - he especially recommended the Arabian Nights I recall. I'm sure that I've mentioned re-issuing former Olympia releases to Alto previously (Shebalin, Amirov etc) but I think that there's a problem and I'm not sure that they hold the rights to them any more. I'll mention it again however.
[/img]
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: vandermolen on October 26, 2020, 11:29:13 PM
Hi SBK. In my earlier post I meant that I'd never met Francis Wilson although I'd spoken to him on the phone and often wrote to him about music, in the days before email I think. He was very kind and copied or sent me some of the old Melodiya CD releases (symphonies 24 and 25 for example) when they were otherwise unavailable and he sent me the first of the Olympia complete Myaskovsky symphony series (symphonies 1 and 25) as a freebie, which was very kind of him. I still have some of the typed-up letters and old Olympia catalogues that he sent to me. It was Francis Wilson who recommended Amirov to me, I'd never heard of him before - he especially recommended the Arabian Nights I recall. I'm sure that I've mentioned re-issuing former Olympia releases to Alto previously (Shebalin, Amirov etc) but I think that there's a problem and I'm not sure that they hold the rights to them any more. I'll mention it again however.
[/img]

As for Melodia, this is a news I read. You may know this already.

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2020/03/privatization-of-melodiya-for-mere-five.html

Roy Bland

#38
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on October 26, 2020, 06:25:35 PM

Jeffrey, I am glad to hear that you read the article with your fond memory of Mr. Wilson. It seems to me that he loved the music he produced very much. Sorry to hear the tough side of business. I guess he had to deal with a nomenklatura firm in the post-Soviet Russia. I love the art covers of Olympia too. They are classy and elegant. Olympia's Amirov discs are oop and the prices are very high. I am waiting for their prices to come down.  Would you possibly suggest the Alto president to reissue these discs please?   ;D ;D

Melikov disc was fun. Sumptuous arrangement and orchestration. I will look for his other works as well.
I am slightly OT but IMHO this is of high interest for you (sadly only in Turkey)
https://www.nadirkitap.com/composers-of-azerbaijan-uzbekistan-turkmenistan-kazakhstan-kirgizia-and-turkey-cd-cil-cil-vol-2-efemera14676057.html
This series from turkish label Raks was an improvement also if non organized

vandermolen

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on October 27, 2020, 05:04:01 PM
As for Melodia, this is a news I read. You may know this already.

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2020/03/privatization-of-melodiya-for-mere-five.html

No, I didn't know it and it's disgraceful, yet unsurprising in Putin's Russia. Perhaps Melodiya will now issue CDs of 'elevator music'.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).