Scandinavian and Finnish composers.

[vandermolen]

High praise from at least three of you! On the list. Thank you.

On my list too!

[Symphonic Addict]

The last time I heard the symphonies by the Danish composer Victor Bendix (1851-1926) was in 2018, so I thought it was a good opportunity to refresh myself with one of them, specifically his Symphony No. 3 in A minor, op. 25. Glad I did it, this is a very worthwhile symphony. The melodies have an endearing and nostalgic nature (some of them), even sounding visionary to some extent (except in the carnival-like 2nd movement where there is more agitation). An interesting detail is that it ends with a slow movement (it's cast in 3 movements), where the emotional weight of the piece appears to be more concentrated. The style of the piece could be close to Louis Glass's with some Schumannian touches. Not a lost masterpiece, but I did find interesting and lovely.

Evgenyi Shestakov conducts the Omsk Philharmonic Orchestra and do not think it is a mediocre performance. Whereas they may be virtually unknown nowadays, the playing is more than serviceable and the sound quality seems appropriate enough, although a new recording is more than welcome, of course (CPO, Dacapo, take note!).



As a note aside, this could be my last post in this forum (or perhaps the last one for quite some time). I'm not feeling good being here lately and I think many of you will rest from my stubborn off-the-beaten-track contributions (I don't want to sound dramatic or show me like a victim or something like that).

Good luck.

[vandermolen]

The last time I heard the symphonies by the Danish composer Victor Bendix (1851-1926) was in 2018, so I thought it was a good opportunity to refresh myself with one of them, specifically his Symphony No. 3 in A minor, op. 25. Glad I did it, this is a very worthwhile symphony. The melodies have an endearing and nostalgic nature (some of them), even sounding visionary to some extent (except in the carnival-like 2nd movement where there is more agitation). An interesting detail is that it ends with a slow movement (it's cast in 3 movements), where the emotional weight of the piece appears to be more concentrated. The style of the piece could be close to Louis Glass's with some Schumannian touches. Not a lost masterpiece, but I did find interesting and lovely.

Evgenyi Shestakov conducts the Omsk Philharmonic Orchestra and do not think it is a mediocre performance. Whereas they may be virtually unknown nowadays, the playing is more than serviceable and the sound quality seems appropriate enough, although a new recording is more than welcome, of course (CPO, Dacapo, take note!).



As a note aside, this could be my last post in this forum (or perhaps the last one for quite some time). I'm not feeling good being here lately and I think many of you will rest from my stubborn off-the-beaten-track contributions (I don't want to sound dramatic or show me like a victim or something like that).

Good luck.

I remember enjoying the Bendix symphony Cesar.
I sincerely hope that you stay put and don't 'disappear' from the forum!
You are one of the few who, more or less, share my 'off-the-beaten-track' musical tastes and I always look forward to your postings and value what you have to say. Also, the forum needs people with differing musical tastes and you would be a great loss. So, please reconsider!
 

[Mapman]

I think many of you will rest from my stubborn off-the-beaten-track contributions

You mean your very interesting posts about less-known music? I also hope that you stick around!

[Roasted Swan]

Happened across today the music of Norwegian composer Sigurd Lie.  Hailed as the "New Grieg" he died of TB at just 33 years in 1904.  So his legacy is a small but definitely a "what might have been" one.

Here's his the slow movement of his Symphony in A minor - a charmer!

[foxandpeng]

The last time I heard the symphonies by the Danish composer Victor Bendix (1851-1926) was in 2018, so I thought it was a good opportunity to refresh myself with one of them, specifically his Symphony No. 3 in A minor, op. 25. Glad I did it, this is a very worthwhile symphony. The melodies have an endearing and nostalgic nature (some of them), even sounding visionary to some extent (except in the carnival-like 2nd movement where there is more agitation). An interesting detail is that it ends with a slow movement (it's cast in 3 movements), where the emotional weight of the piece appears to be more concentrated. The style of the piece could be close to Louis Glass's with some Schumannian touches. Not a lost masterpiece, but I did find interesting and lovely.

Evgenyi Shestakov conducts the Omsk Philharmonic Orchestra and do not think it is a mediocre performance. Whereas they may be virtually unknown nowadays, the playing is more than serviceable and the sound quality seems appropriate enough, although a new recording is more than welcome, of course (CPO, Dacapo, take note!).



As a note aside, this could be my last post in this forum (or perhaps the last one for quite some time). I'm not feeling good being here lately and I think many of you will rest from my stubborn off-the-beaten-track contributions (I don't want to sound dramatic or show me like a victim or something like that).

Good luck.

That would be a dreadful shame. I appreciate your posts, your varied contributions, and your presence.  I would miss that.

[Florestan]

I sincerely hope that you stay put and don't 'disappear' from the forum!

[...]the forum needs people with differing musical tastes and you would be a great loss. So, please reconsider!

+ 1.

[kyjo]

As a note aside, this could be my last post in this forum (or perhaps the last one for quite some time). I'm not feeling good being here lately and I think many of you will rest from my stubborn off-the-beaten-track contributions (I don't want to sound dramatic or show me like a victim or something like that).

Good luck.

I was very saddened to read this, Cesar! I haven't been very active here recently, but I always enjoy reading your posts about lesser-known (and well-known!) repertoire. You always express your opinions in a very non-biased and personal way, and I know that many other members here feel the same way. Just because you may not receive any responses to a post of yours doesn't mean we don't appreciate it. I really do hope you'll reconsider returning to GMG soon, my friend!

[vandermolen]

I was very saddened to read this, Cesar! I haven't been very active here recently, but I always enjoy reading your posts about lesser-known (and well-known!) repertoire. You always express your opinions in a very non-biased and personal way, and I know that many other members here feel the same way. Just because you may not receive any responses to a post of yours doesn't mean we don't appreciate it. I really do hope you'll reconsider returning to GMG soon, my friend!

Totally agree Kyle!
I hope that Cesar sees your post.

[kyjo]

Totally agree Kyle!
I hope that Cesar sees your post.

I hope so too, Jeffrey. I'll try sending him a PM as well.

Edit: It appears that he has blocked me, as I was unable to send him a message....

[vandermolen]

I hope so too, Jeffrey. I'll try sending him a PM as well.

Edit: It appears that he has blocked me, as I was unable to send him a message....

[foxandpeng]

I hope so too, Jeffrey. I'll try sending him a PM as well.

Edit: It appears that he has blocked me, as I was unable to send him a message....

I think he has lots of folk blocked, as I'm also unable to message him. Shame, as I always appreciated his posts.

[vandermolen]

I think he has lots of folk blocked, as I'm also unable to message him. Shame, as I always appreciated his posts.

Yes, that's sad and I'm sorry to hear it.

[Roasted Swan]

I was very saddened to read this, Cesar! I haven't been very active here recently, but I always enjoy reading your posts about lesser-known (and well-known!) repertoire. You always express your opinions in a very non-biased and personal way, and I know that many other members here feel the same way. Just because you may not receive any responses to a post of yours doesn't mean we don't appreciate it. I really do hope you'll reconsider returning to GMG soon, my friend!

My one observation is that this forum in general is a kind of sanctuary for "off-the-beaten-track" fans of whatever genre and style.  My sense is that far more is posted about non-core music than not (the Havergal Brian thread at nearly 500 pages is a shining example!).  I am sure we have all posted about discs/works/performers that enthuse us and have been disappointed that there have not been "bursts of acclamation" back but I long ago stopped taking any such lack of response personally......

[vandermolen]

My one observation is that this forum in general is a kind of sanctuary for "off-the-beaten-track" fans of whatever genre and style.  My sense is that far more is posted about non-core music than not (the Havergal Brian thread at nearly 500 pages is a shining example!).  I am sure we have all posted about discs/works/performers that enthuse us and have been disappointed that there have not been "bursts of acclamation" back but I long ago stopped taking any such lack of response personally......

OT
Yes same here RS. I'm quite used to the 'zero response' scenario to my postings. An example being my 'Eurovision Song Contest Thread' which was even less successful than the UK's own Eurovision entry for this year. 

[Roasted Swan]

OT
Yes same here RS. I'm quite used to the 'zero response' scenario to my postings. An example being my 'Eurovision Song Contest Thread' which was even less successful than the UK's own Eurovision entry for this year. 

it was dire.................................................... (the song not the thread!!!!! )

[foxandpeng]

OT
Yes same here RS. I'm quite used to the 'zero response' scenario to my postings. An example being my 'Eurovision Song Contest Thread' which was even less successful than the UK's own Eurovision entry for this year. 

When that happens to me, I just put it down to the fact that I have better taste than everyone else. Probably true. Can't be any other explanation.

[vandermolen]

When that happens to me, I just put it down to the fact that I have better taste than everyone else. Probably true. Can't be any other explanation.

That's definitely the right explanation!   

[Roasted Swan]

When that happens to me, I just put it down to the fact that I have better taste than everyone else. Probably true. Can't be any other explanation.

Absolutely Foxandpeng - in fact I'd go so far as to say you have the 2nd best taste on this forum........ after me...............

[Florestan]

I think he has lots of folk blocked, as I'm also unable to message him. Shame, as I always appreciated his posts.

He might have block

My one observation is that this forum in general is a kind of sanctuary for "off-the-beaten-track" fans of whatever genre and style.  My sense is that far more is posted about non-core music than not (the Havergal Brian thread at nearly 500 pages is a shining example!).  I am sure we have all posted about discs/works/performers that enthuse us and have been disappointed that there have not been "bursts of acclamation" back but I long ago stopped taking any such lack of response personally......

Excellent point.