Rudolf Escher (1912-1980)

[Mirror Image]

The OP mentions Badings, Escher, and Vermeulen, but what about Pijper? I thought he was a major 20th Century Dutch composer?

[lescamil]

The OP mentions Badings, Escher, and Vermeulen, but what about Pijper? I thought he was a major 20th Century Dutch composer?

Agreed. Does he have his own thread somewhere? Too lazy to go digging.

[snyprrr]

Agreed. Does he have his own thread somewhere? Too lazy to go digging.

Pijper's Peck!

[kyjo]

Escher's Musique pour l'esprit en deuil for orchestra is a truly remarkable WWII-era piece that vividly reflects the spirit of the times. To my ears, it is a very individual work that doesn't really sound like much else that I've heard - perhaps Honegger is the closest point of comparison. The orchestration is constantly ear-catching. Do yourself a favor and check it out: https://youtu.be/-ALYCV3_JQc

His Sonata concertante for cello and piano is another striking, turmoil-filled work that reaches an ecstatic, hard-won conclusion: https://youtu.be/WU0enDCMESY

I'm really looking forward to exploring the rest of Escher's modest output. Based on what I've heard, he's a highly individual composer who deserves much wider attention.

[Turner]

Escher is a really great find. Grand, passionate music, and overall probably more interesting than Pijper, IMO.
Strange that he hasn´t been taken much up outside the Netherlands, as regards recordings. But there seems to be further recordings now, at least.

[kyjo]

Escher is a really great find. Grand, passionate music, and overall probably more interesting than Pijper, IMO.
Strange that he hasn´t been taken much up outside the Netherlands, as regards recordings. But there seems to be further recordings now, at least.

Hopefully the ever-enterprising CPO will eventually take up his cause as they have for his countrymen Röntgen, van Gilse, Hendrik Andriessen, and Badings

[Mirror Image]

Escher is a really great find. Grand, passionate music, and overall probably more interesting than Pijper, IMO.
Strange that he hasn´t been taken much up outside the Netherlands, as regards recordings. But there seems to be further recordings now, at least.

But can we actually say that a proper overall view of Pijper has been formed? His music is far from getting any kind of recognition as well. I'd add Vermeulen to that list along with Pijper and Escher.

[MusicTurner]

As a side remark, of course there ought to be more Pijper recordings as well. It's a mystery, why the 3 symphonies, containable on one CD, haven't been released say by Naxos or Brilliant Classics. It's rarely recorded, attractive and varied music.

And as regards Escher, https://en.muziekencyclopedie.nl/action/entry/Rudolf+Escher# ,

the list of works is long - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_George_Escher#Works , probably not even complete there.

[Herman]

There is a large orchestral piece which may count as Escher's third symphony, it's called 'Sumer Rites at Noon', for two 'facing' orchestras.

It was not completed at the time of Escher's death, and it was completed by composer Jan van Vlijmen and premiered, as I recall bu the Radio Philharmonic in 1988.

Here's a recording of that premiere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGex5HhbXf8

[Roy Bland]

As a side remark, of course there ought to be more Pijper recordings as well. It's a mystery, why the 3 symphonies, containable on one CD, haven't been released say by Naxos or Brilliant Classics. It's rarely recorded, attractive and varied music.

And as regards Escher, https://en.muziekencyclopedie.nl/action/entry/Rudolf+Escher# ,

the list of works is long - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_George_Escher#Works , probably not even complete there.

Totally agree and i say same thing for Orthel