Alan Rawsthorne

[vandermolen]

I have that CD and it is definitely worth a listen.

Thank you!

[Scion7]

For the dedicated 'searcher' the entire thing is on YT, as is the String Quartets cd from Naxos.
One may have to search on the name of a particular movement to find them, tho'.
Good for a pre-listen decision making on purchases.

[Scion7]

The Violin Sonata (1958):

1963 vinyl LP -->

Piano – Lamar Crowson
Violin – Manoug Parikian



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. . . but I think the sound on this recording is superior:

     

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[Scion7]

The Clarinet Quartet (1948):

. . .  As far as I can determine, this 1970 recording is the only one available - superbly performed.


^vinyl LP



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[Scion7]

This one I don't have - the Oboe Quartet (1970):

1. Oboe Quartet (1970): Andante-Allegretto
2. Oboe Quartet (1970): Poco Lento
3. Oboe Quartet (1970): Allegro

Theme And Variations For Two Violins (1937)  [this piece is available elsewhere]




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[Scion7]

The only practical way to obtain these, via this live recording:

Quintet, piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn (1963)
Quintet, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano  (1970)


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[cilgwyn]

I just posted this in the "What are you listening to now" thread!

"I'm listening to this cd of Rawsthorne. I have to admit,I didn't take to his Symphonies (had another go,yesterday) but I like his Piano Concertos. Rawsthorne draws on continental examples and produces something wholly individual. I think these amongst the finest by a British composer. I remember the snooty response when a concert performance of one of them was performed on tv some years ago. I think they deserve better than that!! I also enjoyed Robert Donat's posh recitations of Practical Cats. Mono sound,but they've got to be preferred over Simon Callow,surely?!! Emi chose the illustration of the Cat piano. When the musician 'plays' a key a spike hits the tail of one of the cats creating the required note for the musician. The cd booklet includes a note explaining that no suffering was caused to cats during the making of the recordings. Apparently,there is no evidence that a real cat piano was ever actually in use?!!"

[vandermolen]

I just posted this in the "What are you listening to now" thread!

"I'm listening to this cd of Rawsthorne. I have to admit,I didn't take to his Symphonies (had another go,yesterday) but I like his Piano Concertos. Rawsthorne draws on continental examples and produces something wholly individual. I think these amongst the finest by a British composer. I remember the snooty response when a concert performance of one of them was performed on tv some years ago. I think they deserve better than that!! I also enjoyed Robert Donat's posh recitations of Practical Cats. Mono sound,but they've got to be preferred over Simon Callow,surely?!! Emi chose the illustration of the Cat piano. When the musician 'plays' a key a spike hits the tail of one of the cats creating the required note for the musician. The cd booklet includes a note explaining that no suffering was caused to cats during the making of the recordings. Apparently,there is no evidence that a real cat piano was ever actually in use?!!"

That's a great CD and I totally agree that the piano concertos with Symphonic Studies are superior to the symphonies. And, oh yes, Robert Donat is in a different league to Simon Callow who, to me, always looks like he belongs in the Monty Python Hospital for over-actors sketch.

[Rons_talking]

That's a great CD and I totally agree that the piano concertos with Symphonic Studies are superior to the symphonies. And, oh yes, Robert Donat is in a different league to Simon Callow who, to me, always looks like he belongs in the Monty Python Hospital for over-actors sketch.

I'm in agreement about the PCs. They are so evocative and elegant. Not that I don't like his symphonies, but the flow of the Concerti seems so natural.

[vandermolen]

I'm in agreement about the PCs. They are so evocative and elegant. Not that I don't like his symphonies, but the flow of the Concerti seems so natural.

The PC No.2 and Symphonic Studies are my favourites. The film music for 'The Cruel Sea' is both atmospheric and moving. I wish we had a fuller 'suite' from the film rather than just about 5 minutes worth on Chandos and Silva Screen - still, better than nothing I guess.

[vandermolen]

Been enjoying this today. Especially PC 1 and 2. I love the cover image as well, very appropriate I think for the atmosphere of Rawsthorne's music, to which I often return:
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[André]

Been enjoying this today. Especially PC 1 and 2. I love the cover image as well, very appropriate I think for the atmosphere of Rawsthorne's music, to which I often return:
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Same here, but 15 months later  .

Just spotted the term 'elegant' in relation to the concertos. So true ! Rawsthorne's music can sound spiky at times, but leavening the language with just the right touch of charm works wonders.

[vandermolen]

Same here, but 15 months later  .

Just spotted the term 'elegant' in relation to the concertos. So true ! Rawsthorne's music can sound spiky at times, but leavening the language with just the right touch of charm works wonders.

Excellent! I suspect that that CD travelled a long way to get to you.

[SymphonicAddict]

Rawsthorne is a composer whose music I don't know that much, I'm more familar with most of the orchestral/concertante works including his 3 symphonies. I had heard them before without much pleasure to be honest. Now my impressions are a little more positive, or in other words, I've developed more tolerance towards this stuff. This is not straightforward music at all, at least not at first, but somehow it's interesting, there is a sense of relentlessly serious and at times dark atmosphere throughout that intrigues me. I don't know whether Rawsthorne studied under Hindemith or was influenced by him, but I perceive certain gestures of the latter in these symphonies. The 2nd Symphohy is called Pastoral, albeit I fail to get that idea in this work, maybe the soprano voice in the last movement gives a bit of it.

The No. 3 is my favorite (the 1st one has an explosive beginning, though!). I can't say I'm crazy about these works, but I'm glad to have revisited them. The performances are more than convincing. There is another disc of the symphonies on Lyrita for those who are interested to investigate.

[vandermolen]

Rawsthorne is a composer whose music I don't know that much, I'm more familar with most of the orchestral/concertante works including his 3 symphonies. I had heard them before without much pleasure to be honest. Now my impressions are a little more positive, or in other words, I've developed more tolerance towards this stuff. This is not straightforward music at all, at least not at first, but somehow it's interesting, there is a sense of relentlessly serious and at times dark atmosphere throughout that intrigues me. I don't know whether Rawsthorne studied under Hindemith or was influenced by him, but I perceive certain gestures of the latter in these symphonies. The 2nd Symphohy is called Pastoral, albeit I fail to get that idea in this work, maybe the soprano voice in the last movement gives a bit of it.

The No. 3 is my favorite (the 1st one has an explosive beginning, though!). I can't say I'm crazy about these works, but I'm glad to have revisited them. The performances are more than convincing. There is another disc of the symphonies on Lyrita for those who are interested to investigate.

Have you tried the Symphonic Studies and the piano concertos Cesar? These are my favourite works by Rawsthorne. The Lyrita is a fabulous disc:

[Irons]

Rawsthone's music is often described as "bitter sweet".

If you have a tolerance of less then stellar sound then the drive that Constant Lambert brings to the Symphonic Studies has to be heard.

 

[vandermolen]

Rawsthone's music is often described as "bitter sweet".

If you have a tolerance of less then stellar sound then the drive that Constant Lambert brings to the Symphonic Studies has to be heard.

Yes, I agree. Also available on CD here with Warlock's poignant 'The Curlew':

[Irons]

Yes, I agree. Also available on CD here with Warlock's poignant 'The Curlew':

A most interesting CD.

A good trivial pursuit question (easily looked up on Wiki). What is the connection between Alan Rawsthorne, Constant Lambert and The Who? 

[SymphonicAddict]

Have you tried the Symphonic Studies and the piano concertos Cesar? These are my favourite works by Rawsthorne. The Lyrita is a fabulous disc:

Yes, Jeffrey, I have, the piano concertos are quirky works full of wittiness. The Symphonic Studies not yet (I think).

Rawsthone's music is often described as "bitter sweet".

"Bitter sweet" sounds very apt to me.

[vandermolen]

A most interesting CD.

A good trivial pursuit question (easily looked up on Wiki). What is the connection between Alan Rawsthorne, Constant Lambert and The Who?

I know that Lambert and Rawsthorne liked cats but not sure about The Who connection Lol.