Five "unsung" works everyone should hear

[kyjo]

I'm starting to think that MCG was a better composer than HVL.

I would say V-L was a greater composer than Guarnieri, but the latter is certainly underrated compared to the former.

[kyjo]

Since John created three lists, I might as well do the same:

Novak: De profundis
Melartin: Symphony no. 4
Holmboe: Four Symphonic Metamorphoses
Arthur Benjamin: Symphony
Joseph Marx: Romantisches Klavierkonzert

[Sergeant Rock]

Since John created three lists, I might as well do the same:

He's a bad influence, man. He's leading you astray.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Luke Ottevanger, Canticle Sonata
Ivan Moody, Passione popolare
Charles Turner, Little Goblin Music
Mark Gresham, Mortal Coils
Chris Forbes, O Oriens

[kyjo]

He's a bad influence, man. He's leading you astray.

Sarge

He's created a monster!

[springrite]

He's created a monster!

He hardly needs to create a monster. He is one!

[Daverz]

I would say V-L was a greater composer than Guarnieri, but the latter is certainly underrated compared to the former.

My problem with VL is that he seems to noodle around too much.  Guarnieri is a very concise composer.

[kyjo]

My problem with VL is that he seems to noodle around too much.  Guarnieri is a very concise composer.

Yeah, structure wasn't one of V-L's strengths, but if you approach his music by just letting yourself soak up all the sumptuous sounds he creates rather than trying to analyze it too much, chances are you'll come to appreciate it a little better. Personally, I love V-L's "everything but the kitchen sink" approach to composition, but I know others are perplexed by it, and that's understandable.

[madaboutmahler]

My first five:

Y.Skold: 2nd symphony
Leifs: Requiem (4 minutes of exquisite a capella)
Tveitt: First Piano Concerto
Schumann: Violin Concerto
Alwyn: Elizabethan Dances

[kyjo]

My first five:

Y.Skold: 2nd symphony
Leifs: Requiem (4 minutes of exquisite a capella)
Tveitt: First Piano Concerto
Schumann: Violin Concerto
Alwyn: Elizabethan Dances

Nice list! It's a shame how neglected Skold is by the record companies. His emotional music is very much in the same neo-romantic vein of Atterberg, Barber and Walton. Leifs, Tveitt and Alwyn are all fantastic composers whom I have expressed my love of before. You're the second person to mention the Schumann VC; I'll have to revisit it!

[madaboutmahler]

Nice list! It's a shame how neglected Skold is by the record companies. His emotional music is very much in the same neo-romantic vein of Atterberg, Barber and Walton. Leifs, Tveitt and Alwyn are all fantastic composers whom I have expressed my love of before. You're the second person to mention the Schumann VC; I'll have to revisit it!

Thanks, as are yours! And indeed. I only knew of his music as I was friends online with a relative of Skold who uploaded much of his music. It's far too unrecorded. If I'm successful as a conductor, I would certainly be keen to include his music in my programmes. And I love all those three very much too. With Leifs, often his music is so terrifying and thrilling, and I love all that too, but small gems like the Requiem are just so simple and gorgeous. Definitely do, one of my favourite Schumann pieces!

[DaveF]

Leifs: Requiem (4 minutes of exquisite a capella)

Oh, now that is lovely - have just listened to both versions on Spotify (the one on the Hekla disc is better, to my ears, although both are good).  I'm going to recommend it straight away to the director of the choir I sing in, although the Icelandic could be a problem, as could all the false relations.  Sounds a bit like Arvo Pärt set to music 

For what it's worth, my list - Stravinsky's:

Capriccio for piano and orchestra
Concertino for string quartet
Canticum Sacrum
Cantata
Canticles, Requiem

DF

[North Star]

Leifs: Requiem (4 minutes of exquisite a capella)
Schumann: Violin Concerto

Yes!

My first five:
Enescu: Violin Sonata No. 3
Ireland: Piano Concerto
Finzi: Cello Concerto
Satie: Socrate
Suk: About Mother

[kyjo]

Yes!

My first five:
Enescu: Violin Sonata No. 3
Ireland: Piano Concerto
Finzi: Cello Concerto
Satie: Socrate
Suk: About Mother

+1 for the Finzi.

[Lisztianwagner]

For me:

Melartin Symphony No.6 (since No.4 has already been mentioned)
Holmboe Symphony No.8
Hartmann Symphony No.2
Leifs Hekla
Satie Entr'acte

[kyjo]

For me:

Melartin Symphony No.6 (since No.4 has already be mentioned)
Holmboe Symphony No.8
Hartmann Symphony No.2
Leifs Hekla
Satie Entr'acte

Except for the Satie, all choices I heartily endorse!

[madaboutmahler]

Oh, now that is lovely - have just listened to both versions on Spotify (the one on the Hekla disc is better, to my ears, although both are good).  I'm going to recommend it straight away to the director of the choir I sing in, although the Icelandic could be a problem, as could all the false relations.  Sounds a bit like Arvo Pärt set to music 

Glad you liked it so much, Dave! It really is lovely! And yes, the one on the Hekla disc is particularly beautiful. Good luck with recommending it to your director, I'm sure it will be gorgeous to sing!! haha

[kyjo]

John, I blame you for this!

Hartmann: Symphony no. 6
Leifs: Hekla
Alwyn: Symphony no. 3
Aho: Symphonic Dances
Gliere: Symphony no. 3 Ilya Murometz

[springrite]

John, I blame you for this!

Hartmann: Symphony no. 6
Leifs: Hekla
Alwyn: Symphony no. 3
Aho: Symphonic Dances
Gliere: Symphony no. 3 Ilya Murometz

Easy fella. No one has outdone John and lived to tell about it. He will never tolerate this!

PS: Love the Leifs, Alwyn and Hartmann inclusions.

[kyjo]

Easy fella. No one has outdone John and lived to tell about it. He will never tolerate this!

PS: Love the Leifs, Alwyn and Hartmann inclusions.

Yeah, John's a scary guy!