William Schuman (1910-1992)

[Karl Henning]

Changing gears and getting back on topic, how about that Violin Concerto? What do you guys think about it?

I've had an inconstant tussle with the Violin Concerto.  Was prepared to like it when I first heard it, but somehow it was "other" (I suppose) than what my ears were actually after. (At the time, anyway, I don't think I knew any Schuman, apart from the New England Triptych, at the time.)  So, while I certainly did not hate it, I reserved my highest opinion from it.

Now, aware that the air needed clearing . . . I'm trying it again this morning.

The best violin concerto written by an US composer in my opinion.

Without denigrating the Schuman Concerto at all (my opinion is no great distance from yours), do you know the Wuorinen Concerto for Amplified Violin? I think very highly of it, and not just because I am a former student (fair disclosure).

[The new erato]

The Wuorinen is unknown to me. I prefer to amplify my music myself. 

PS: I should have said; the best US violin converto known to me (and i've heard a fair deal).

[Karl Henning]

You may well have heard more than I have!  I need to revisit the Carter concerto for vn . . . .

[Karl Henning]

Just played the samples from that Credendum disc, John; sounds very nice!

[Mirror Image]

The best violin concerto written by an US composer in my opinion.

Better than the Barber? Hmmm...must be good.

[Mirror Image]

I've had an inconstant tussle with the Violin Concerto.  Was prepared to like it when I first heard it, but somehow it was "other" (I suppose) than what my ears were actually after. (At the time, anyway, I don't think I knew any Schuman, apart from the New England Triptych, at the time.)  So, while I certainly did not hate it, I reserved my highest opinion from it.

Now, aware that the air needed clearing . . . I'm trying it again this morning.

I have yet to hear the Schuman's VC, so that's one reason why I asked how people like it here to get some feedback on it. Let me know if you've changed your opinion of it now that you've got some more of Schuman's music under your belt.

P.S. Credendum is a fine work. I think you'll enjoy it, Karl.

[Karl Henning]

Yes, liking the Vn Cto even better this time around.  Top-drawer Schuman, to be sure.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, liking the Vn Cto even better this time around.  Top-drawer Schuman, to be sure.

Good to hear, Karl. I look forward to digging into the McDuffie/Slatkin performance once I receive it. What performance do you own of it?

[Karl Henning]

Quint/Bournemouth/Serebrier on Naxos.

[The new erato]

I have that as well, and good as it is, it cannot quite touch the fantastic Zukofsky/Tilson Thomas version I have on DG vinyl.

[Karl Henning]

I have that as well, and good as it is, it cannot quite touch the fantastic Zukofsky/Tilson Thomas version I have on DG vinyl.

Yes, I've my eye on that recording. Zukofsky, by the way, played the recording of the Wuorinen concerto which I mentioned.

[bhodges]

I have that as well, and good as it is, it cannot quite touch the fantastic Zukofsky/Tilson Thomas version I have on DG vinyl.

Wow, I have this as well, and hadn't thought about it in years. (Zukovsky was marvelous; I still treasure his performance of Reich's Violin Phase, too.)

And I agree: the piece is sensational. I heard it recently on an all-William Schuman concert, and it struck me: the reason it isn't performed much is...it's too hard!

--Bruce

[Mirror Image]

...scurries across the Internet for a copy (at a cheap price) of the Zukofsky/Tilson Thomas performance of Schuman's VC..

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

The best violin concerto written by an US composer in my opinion.

Better than Barber, Rochberg, Piston? That's quite an achievement then.

the fantastic Zukofsky/Tilson Thomas version I have on DG vinyl.

Ah, the good old days, when DG was willing to step outside its comfort zone, and give unusual music a chance. I am interested to know how it compares to McDuffie/Slatkin, which our mirrored colleague just acquired. Can anyone compare them?

[The new erato]

Better than Barber, Rochberg, Piston? That's quite an achievement then.

I know them all, and in my opinion, yes.

[Mirror Image]

I know them all, and in my opinion, yes.

What is about the Schuman VC that you admire so much, Erato? I mean saying it's the finest American VC is a bold statement, but I'm just curious because I haven't heard the work yet.

[pjme]

I have the Schuman violinconcerto in this cd-incarnation.

It is indeed a great work. But it is the kind of music many people would call " masculine, muscular, hard, tough & brillant...". Yet (and I'm listening now) there's ( in the first movement) a wealth of soft , exquisitely lyrical music ( wood winds & soft strings + soloviolin) that just melts the heart. The second movement hovers between poetry and hard-driven anger, only to explode in a typical percussion-laden climax.
This music is good and personal enough on its own and doesn't need to be compared.

If only the viola concerto would be recorded or re-issued!
P.

[Sergeant Rock]

Ah, the good old days, when DG was willing to step outside its comfort zone, and give unusual music a chance. I am interested to know how it compares to McDuffie/Slatkin, which our mirrored colleague just acquired. Can anyone compare them?

I have both (Zukofsky and McDuffie). Haven't heard McDuffie yet (just arrived a few days ago) but I'll compare them soon.

Sarge

[The new erato]

What is about the Schuman VC that you admire so much, Erato? I mean saying it's the finest American VC is a bold statement, but I'm just curious because I haven't heard the work yet.

The combination between hard driven dynamics and lyrical parts. And all movements are very fine (the Barber eg has a very weak last movement). Superbly orchestrated.

[Mirror Image]

The combination between hard driven dynamics and lyrical parts. And all movements are very fine (the Barber eg has a very weak last movement). Superbly orchestrated.

I'm excited to this, Erato. Yes, the last movement of the Barber VC is very disappointing especially in contrast with the movements that preceded it.