Tippett's Tearoom

[not edward]

If you like A Child of Our Time I'd be tempted to suggest the two major string orchestra works (Concerto for Double String Orchestra and Fantasia Concertante on a theme of Corelli), plus the piano concerto and the 2nd symphony.

From King Priam--to my mind the pick of his operas--on, his music tends to be much less consonant and more gritty: I really like the last two symphonies but they tend to divide listeners. The late works, from The Mask of Time on, I find less interesting and prone to recycling ideas; the valedictory The Rose Lake is probably the standout here.

[relm1]

Thank you, Edward.  What is his general style like?  I mean, if one likes ___, they will like Tippett?

[Karl Henning]

..., if one likes ___, they will like Tippett?

That is a marvelously tangled question....

[not edward]

Thank you, Edward.  What is his general style like?  I mean, if one likes ___, they will like Tippett?

I don't think there's a useful answer to this: even the more conservative, earlier works have a tendency to subvert their models, while the later works sound like nobody else.

[springrite]

If you like Michael Palin, you may like Tippett.

[relm1]

Well I am traversing his symphonies and really enjoy it.  The one work I really am curious about (the opera New Year) seems impossible to find.  But so far really good. 

[relm1]

After listening to all symphonies (and just about to embark on the operas), it seems to me Michael Tippett can be compared to Egon Wellesz or maybe Daniel Jones.  The early music is quite traditional yet well crafted.  The later music has a tremendous evolution and is quite experimental and distinctive.  It is actually hard to associate the late style is the same composer.  The skill is still there.  Thoughts??  I love the surprises I am experiencing exploring this music.

[Mirror Image]

I tend to like Tippett's early music more, but will freely admit that The Rose Lake is one of his best works of any period. Have you heard it yet, relm1?

[relm1]

I have not yet heard "The Rose Lake" but thanks for your recommendation.  I'll certainly check it out.  I have completed my survey of the symphonies and very much enjoyed them all.  I would say the composer Tippett seems most similar to sound wise is Alun Hoddinott as a whole.  The music finely crafted, dramatic, well structured, and rich in colors and texture.  They both have a dramatic sensibility and austerity yet can be extremely delicate too.  I can hear some Per Norgard and Kaija Saariaho in his later music (Symphony No. 4) too.

[Karl Henning]

I have not yet heard "The Rose Lake" but thanks for your recommendation.  I'll certainly check it out.  I have completed my survey of the symphonies and very much enjoyed them all.

Cool . . . I must give them another go soon.

[calyptorhynchus]

Does anyone know if Tippett early Symphony in G minor form the 30s has ever been played or recorded? I seem to remember his biographer saying it wasn't bad and he couldn't think why Tippett disowned it.

[EigenUser]

Okay, so I love the Tippett PC. What should I hear next?

[North Star]

Okay, so I love the Tippett PC. What should I hear next?

Concerto for double string orchestra, Fantasia concertante on a theme of Corelli, and A Child of Our Time.

[Mirror Image]

Concerto for double string orchestra, Fantasia concertante on a theme of Corelli, and A Child of Our Time.

I would add Symphonies 2 & 3 and The Rose Lake to this list.

[Ken B]

Concerto for double string orchestra, Fantasia concertante on a theme of Corelli, and A Child of Our Time.

Seconded.

[Daverz]

I see a Conifer CD and a Chandos CD of Rose Lake?  Any druthers?  Presto has the Chandos for lossless download.

[Mirror Image]

I see a Conifer CD and a Chandos CD of Rose Lake?  Any druthers?  Presto has the Chandos for lossless download.

I prefer the Hickox on Chandos, but YMMV.

[snyprrr]

one of the few symphonic cycles left , but that Decca is always so expensive... I'd only want the one with 1-3. $$$ $$$

[John Whitmore]

Anybody on here checked these downloads out? They are all restorations of tapes and vinyl LPs from my own personal collection.The download quality is excellent.
KHCD-2012-016 Tippett conducting Prince Charles Suite first commercial recording on Pye
KHCD-2012-017 Complete Shires Suite commercial Unicorn recording
KHCD-2012-022  Tippett conducting excerpts from Shires Suite on Argo
LSSO-CD1 Tippett conducting the first performance of Shires Suite in 1970 plus other works by Tippett and Ives
LSSO-CD2 Concert performance of A Child of Our Time
http://klassichaus.us/LSSO-CDs-MP3s.php

[snyprrr]

In excruciating detail, which set, or individual, or what, do I get for the Symphonies? 1-3 are important, 4 not so much...


thank you, please!!