Joseph Marx

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Funny you should have done this today. I JUST (as in: 2 hours ago) got my copy of Marx's orchestral songs (Chandos, Belohlavek) in the mail.

Marx, Joseph / Orchestral Songs & Choral Works / BBCSO&C, Christine Brewer, Jiri Belohlavek

Nice coincidence! I think I'll have a listen to Marx's Piano Concerto later today...

[schweitzeralan]

Bumping this thread for the sake of Schweitzeralan.

Berkant Haydin is the supreme expert on Marx. His erstwhile postings are exemplary of the style and inmense subtleties of this once forgotten composer. Thanks to Berkant and the Marx Society, I was able to acquire the wonderful recording of the "Autumn Symphony." To state bluntly that this work is a masterpiece is an understatement. Its rich, profuse 20th century romanticism along with a sensuous impressinistic aesthetic is wonderful. Some  works of Marx do recall other composers, most notably Strauss and Scriabin (one of my favorites). Depth and intense "sensuosity" inform the work of this master.

[Dundonnell]

Berkant Haydin is the supreme expert on Marx. His erstwhile postings are exemplary of the style and inmense subtleties of this once forgotten composer. Thanks to Berkant and the Marx Society, I was able to acquire the wonderful recording of the "Autumn Symphony." To state bluntly that this work is a masterpiece is an understatement. Its rich, profuse 20th century romanticism along with a sensuous impressinistic aesthetic is wonderful. Some  works of Marx do recall other composers, most notably Strauss and Scriabin (one of my favorites). Depth and intense "sensuosity" inform the work of this master.

"....recording of the 'Autumn Symphony'"

I thought that this was the one major Marx composition still awaiting a recording?

[schweitzeralan]

Bumping this thread for the sake of Schweitzeralan.

I

I replied previously on this subject, but I don't see it.  Perhaps it wil turn up.  To state briefly I mentioned that Berkant Haydin has commented significantly on Marx's works.  I also stated that by virtue of the Marx Society I was able to procure a recording of the "Autmn Symphony."  I said that it would have been an understatement to qualify this long forgotten work as a major symphonic work.  It is truly a masterpiece conceived in the Romantic/Impressiionist aesthetic.

[Dundonnell]

Ah...I think that I understand now.

The 'Herbstsymphonie' is still awaiting a commercial recording

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Berkant Haydin is the supreme expert on Marx. His erstwhile postings are exemplary of the style and inmense subtleties of this once forgotten composer. Thanks to Berkant and the Marx Society, I was able to acquire the wonderful recording of the "Autumn Symphony." To state bluntly that this work is a masterpiece is an understatement. Its rich, profuse 20th century romanticism along with a sensuous impressinistic aesthetic is wonderful. Some  works of Marx do recall other composers, most notably Strauss and Scriabin (one of my favorites). Depth and intense "sensuosity" inform the work of this master.

Very interesting. And being a Scriabinite myself, I think I'll warm to the "Herbst-Symphonie"!

[schweitzeralan]

Very interesting. And being a Scriabinite myself, I think I'll warm to the "Herbst-Symphonie"!

The "Herbstsymphonie" will eventually emerge as a commercial recording.  It is not to be missed, unless one has no taste for lush, sensuous sonorities.  I also own everything by Scriabin as well as many of Scriabin's disciples: namely, Roslavetz Feinberg, Krein, Mompou, Szymonowski (pardon the spelling), and others.  I particularly like to listen to or to play several of his late works.  The sonatas are too demanding to play for me, but I have several recordings.  These are many; I happen to appreciate Laredo; not all aficionados do. I happen to like her interpretation; then, again, this is a personal assessment. Are you familiar with the Scriabin/Nemptin "Mysterium"?  For me personally listening to this work gives me a transcendental experience, particularly after a few glasses of wine.  Cheers!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Are you familiar with the Scriabin/Nemptin "Mysterium"?  For me personally listening to this work gives me a transcendental experience, particularly after a few glasses of wine.

Yes, I know it, but I don't like it. Perhaps my ususal sobriety prevents me from fully appreciating Nemtin's reconstruction?  The 'Mysterium' is full of what I would term 'inchoate Scriabin'. Every time you get an exciting build-up, burgeoning ecstasy, but no real release. The whole work sounds like an overextended Prometheus that fails to make its point.

That's my, admittedly rather harsh, opinion of this work.

[schweitzeralan]

Yes, I know it, but I don't like it. Perhaps my ususal sobriety prevents me from fully appreciating Nemtin's reconstruction?  The 'Mysterium' is full of what I would term 'inchoate Scriabin'. Every time you get an exciting build-up, burgeoning ecstasy, but no real release. The whole work sounds like an overextended Prometheus that fails to make its point.

That's my, admittedly rather harsh, opinion of this work.

Interesting perspective. I've read several negative reviews.  I understand.  I have my own betes noirs; most notably Handal, Hayden, and/or most Baroque and Classical steadfasts.  I don't imply the lack of genius acknowledged and appreciated over the centuries.  Just not my interest. A chaq'un  son gout. I do apprreciate the overall interest and knowledge of the participants in this forum.

[Dundonnell]

I must say that I have been impressed by the Chandos release of the Marx Orchestral Songs and Choral Works. The four, relatively short choral pieces in particular do live up to the descriptions and recommendations made above by Berkant Haydin.  I was especially taken by the very fine 'Herbstchor an Pan'. Absolutely no feeling here that I had overdosed on Viennese gateaux

The insert notes for the cd written by Berkant and his colleague Stefan Esser are an absolute treat to read-detailed, informative, well-written, extensive (CPO take note )

Overall, a much more favourable reaction than to the ASV orchestral series

[Templeton]

Well, I am new to this forum but delighted to find that Joseph Marx already has his own slot. although obviously not a lot of recent interest.

Anyway, I just wanted to update that a commercial recording of 'Eine Herbstsymphonie' is finally available but only via download.  It's a live recording by the American Symphony Orchestra with Leon Botstein.  It's available on Google and Amazon, as well as iTunes, I imagine.  It's bargain priced too and I think that it's wonderful, although some may find it a little too sweet and cloying.

[Scion7]

Marxism!

[calyptorhynchus]

News is that on 1 December Naxos are going to release a disk containing the Natur-Trilogie, ie  1. Symphonische Nachtmusik (Symphonic Night Music) 2.  Idylle 3. Eine Frühlingsmusik (Spring Music). They claim that these are the first authentic performances of these works.

Anyway, until I spotted this disk I hadn't heard of Marx, so I immediately listened to the Autumn Symphony (the Botstein recording) and was duly blown away by it. Think Delius and Bax with much more symphonic spine and lovely endless melodies. I don't normally like late Romantic music (Delius makes me want to spew), but Marx is much better than the usual run, lush but not very chromatic (or at least he doesn't sound very chromatic, I haven't seen any scores, so the music could be as chromatic as Purcell with a hangover, but doesn't seem to be, as I said).

And then I discovered that there was an uncut of version of the Autumn Symphony, which I have to listen to next, 80 minutes as opposed to 58. Oh joy!

I hope when these two version are played that the xylophone and celesta players get paid overtime!

[Daverz]

Pretty good description of Marx.  The Naxos is a reissue of an ASV disc.  Figures that would happen a few months after I tracked it down.  It's a very good disc.

[Roasted Swan]

And then I discovered that there was an uncut of version of the Autumn Symphony, which I have to listen to next, 80 minutes as opposed to 58. Oh joy!

there used to be available a free download of a 73 minute performance of the Herbst Symphonie from the Recreation Grosses Orchester Graz - Michel Swierczewski - but I think it has disappeared.  Good to see Naxos marking that Vol.1 as I assume it means they will be investigating all the ASV/Marx back catalogue.

I'm always a little cautious about Botstein - interesting repertoire he records but I have a nagging sense that's he's not the most dynamic or inspiring conductor.  I've always thought this symphony would be ideal for a Chandos/BIS hi-fi bonanza recording

[calyptorhynchus]

Juggling the iPad at the breakfast table I managed to delete my post with the link to the Naxos disk. Here it is again

https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.573831

I listened to the 80 minute version of the Autumn Symphony this morning (the Michel Swierczewski one). A much better recording, funny how a long, sprawling late-Romantic symphony seems much better and more logical if it is allowed to sprawl, instead of being cut. It's also a better recording, closer to the orchestra with the celesta and xylophone toned down a bit, and it has more go than the Bostein recording.

Then I listened to Autumn Festival (he liked autumn, didn't he?) Similarly fine.

Both these are on Youtube. Now I have the Nordic Rhapsody to go!

[SymphonicAddict]

Juggling the iPad at the breakfast table I managed to delete my post with the link to the Naxos disk. Here it is again

https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.573831

I listened to the 80 minute version of the Autumn Symphony this morning (the Michel Swierczewski one). A much better recording, funny how a long, sprawling late-Romantic symphony seems much better and more logical if it is allowed to sprawl, instead of being cut. It's also a better recording, closer to the orchestra with the celesta and xylophone toned down a bit, and it has more go than the Bostein recording.

Then I listened to Autumn Festival (he liked autumn, didn't he?) Similarly fine.

Both these are on Youtube. Now I have the Nordic Rhapsody to go!

The Nordic Rhapsody is interesting, instantly appealing I think, albeit more serious and not so lush like the Naturtrilogie.

[calyptorhynchus]

Naxos Natur-Trilogie disk  A+

[SymphonicAddict]

You prompted me to listen to one of those works: the Idylle - Concertino über die pastorale Quart. Just marvelous. It's like a sensuous pastoral evocation with some elvish creatures and fairies. You just have to get carried away effortlessly by those subtle sonorities.

[SymphonicAddict]

Just finished listening to this new release. This is a sort of guilty pleasure for me and by more than fair reasons. The sonorities, the timbres, the sounds, the colourful evocations the orchestra makes astound me. To say this is magical is rather short. All seems flowing effortlessly, all seems correctly put, all sounds in such sumptuous, lush and subtle way that is, to my ears, perfect, otherworldly. The work itself is a song to life, to nature.

As for the recording, faultless, the most vivid and shining rendition one could expect from an orchestra, and it's the complete recording, with no cuts. What else could we ask for?

One of the greatest recordings for me this year.