GMG Classical Music Forum

Etcetera and Klara ( Flemish national radio) are slowly (very slowly) working on a series of portraits of Belgian composers.

This is brandnew : August De Boeck (1865 - 1937)

(http://www.cebedem.be/images/composers/de_boeck_august.jpg)

(http://www.klara.be/html/images/klara_cds/KTC4024-150.jpg)

http://www.ningkam.com/

Several orchestral pieces :
The Dahomeyan rhapsody : a short, brillant romp à la Rimsky,I guess - it uses a Dahomeyan tune ( Dahomey is part of Benin) de Boeck heard in Brussels, as played by a group of touring musicians  and the much later Nocturne (1931 - which shows timidly  Impressionistic influences) . I've never heard the violinconcerto ( 1932) . This is music that should appeal to lovers of Glazunov, Massenet, Borodin,Rimsky Korsakov ...

Ning Kam is the soloist, the VRO ( Vlaams Radio Orkest , soon to be re-named as Brussels' Philharmonic) plays under Marc Soustrot.

Sorry not to have replied sooner! I have got de Boeck's Violin Concerto and Dahomeyan Rhapsody on an old Marco Polo CD coupled with his Symphony in G-Guido De Neve(violin) and the Royal Flanders Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Frederic Devreese. Marco Polo had a relatively short-lived Anthology of Flemish Music and I recall picking up some interesting CDs in that series, including the impressive 2nd, 3rd and 7th symphonies by Arthur Meulemans(1884-1966). Meulemans is a composer of substantial merit whose works deserve revival.

Glad to know that some interest is being shown in this largely ignored field!

Thanks anyway for the reply Dundonnell ! Belgian composers are not well represented in any catalogue....Often only César Franck seems to be the name everybody knows.

I agree with you about Arthur Meulemans. He was an amazingly prolific composers ( cfr. Darius Milhaud and Bohuslav Martinu) ( 15 symphonies, 3 operas, many cantatas and oratorios, symphonic poems, works for brass, simple folksongs, complex choral pieces on French texts, pianoworks,several "mass plays" (open air productions with actors, choruses,singers and orchestra)...
One can easily imagine that not all is of the same quality, but I'm sure some of it should be resurected. I have fond memories of two concerti for orchestra, "Concerti grossi" for sax quartet or clarinet quartet and ch.o.. There's a lovely trumpetconcerto ,two concerti for horn, 3 for piano, 2 cello, 2 organ, 2 violin ...those for harp, harpsichord, timpani ..have never been played again since their premiere.
For a traditional composer, using the tonal system, he lived in difficult times : the emergence of serialism & atonality made him quickly an oldfashioned artist... He tried to compensate by writing shorter, less lyrical works...In some of the late works ( concerto for two pianos, Evasions for orchestra etc) one longs for more "breath"...

Anyway, let's hope that Etcetera/Klara continues this series. Godfried De Vreese (Frederic's father), Raymond Chevreuille, Karel Albert, Karel Candael, Albert Huybrechts, Marcel Poot, Lodewijk De Vocht ...deserve some attention!

Just noticed this thread. I greatly admire Godfried Devreese's Gothic Symphony and In Memoriam (a great work) and Pliny's Fountain by Meulemans. Any other fans of these works?

Quote from: vandermolen on October 31, 2008, 01:38:29 PM
Just noticed this thread. I greatly admire Godfried Devreese's Gothic Symphony and In Memoriam (a great work) and Pliny's Fountain by Meulemans. Any other fans of these works?

What do you think? ;D ;D ;D

I talked about Meulemans above but I shall go back to the Devreese and remind myself :)

Quote from: pjme on December 23, 2007, 11:16:57 AMGodfried De Vreese (Frederic's father), Raymond Chevreuille, Karel Albert, Karel Candael, Albert Huybrechts, Marcel Poot, Lodewijk De Vocht ...deserve some attention!

We don't know quite what "Romantic" means in a musical context, but another composer who should not be forgotten here is Henri Pousseur, who "ran the Belgian branch of the avant-garde" (to quote the admirable Norman Lebrecht).

Quote from: Sydney Grew on October 31, 2008, 03:47:53 PM
We don't know quite what "Romantic" means in a musical context, but another composer who should not be forgotten here is Henri Pousseur, who "ran the Belgian branch of the avant-garde" (to quote the admirable Norman Lebrecht).

However else Henri Pousseur's music can be described, "late Romantic" it most certainly is not!

Quote from: Dundonnell on October 31, 2008, 04:59:26 PMHowever else Henri Pousseur's music can be described, "late Romantic" it most certainly is not!

We wonder whether the member has ever heard Pousseur's Stone Garland . . . But if by "Romantic" one intends "programme music" well then of course . . .

In general the quality of modern Belgian music is incomparably better than that of modern British music - this is probably because in Belgium a) there is not nearly as much "jazz-worship" and b) the valuable Symbolist movement left much deeper roots.

Here in addition to those mentioned above are a few more names of worthwhile Belgians: Peter Benoït (nineteenth century), Willy (sic) Carron, René Defossez, Paul Gilson, Joseph Jongen (he of the mighty organ concerto), André Laporte, Guillaume Lekeu (no brilliant romps for him poor young chap!), Michel Lysight, Armand Marsick, Desiré Pâque, Flor Peeters of course, Jean Rogister, Frederick van Rossum (a bit of a bore that one), Joseph Ryelandt, André-Jean Smit, Frank van der Stucken, Edgar Tinel, Renaat Veremans, and last but not least for now the renowned Eugène Ysaÿe. And we are so glad that the labours of Marcel Poot appear to be gaining wider circulation.

Quote from: Dundonnell on October 31, 2008, 03:00:31 PM
What do you think? ;D ;D ;D

I talked about Meulemans above but I shall go back to the Devreese and remind myself :)

I listened to Pliny's Fountain yesterday and the Devreese CD (+all three recordings of Bliss's Morning Heroes...sad isn't it  :o)

Anyway, back to the topic..the Meuleman's is a beautiful, poetic work with echoes of Debussy and Respighi. Devreese's Gothic is one of my favourite Marco Polo discoveries (and there are many!) The Symphony (from 1940 I think) is a very powerful, melodic and inspiriting score, the Poeme Heroique is waltonian in a way but best of all is the 7 minute In Memoriam, a deeply moving work, which reminds me in spirit a bit of Sainton's Nadir although it doesn't really sound like it (I don't think that that makes any sense..but never mind).

I am listening to a cd (kindly given to me by Christo in Amsterdam on Saturday) of music by the Belgian composer, Frederik van Rossum(1939-).

Anyone know of him? Peter?

The cd consists of a short but rather gloomy Violin Concerto(No.1), an equally dark but slightly more advanced Symphony(No.3)-which I must confess to rather liking-and a much more advanced/expressionist work for Brass and Percussion called 'Requisitoire" which apparently won first prize in a UNESCO International Forum of Composers competition in 1980.

On the basis of this scanty knowledge van Rossum seems a rather grim and angry composer ;D

(http://www.cebedem.be/images/composers/van_rossum_frederik.jpg) Van Rossum turned 70 this year, so this photoisn't exactly up to date...

Lately I've heard very little about Van Rossum. I'm afraid he's a bit forgotten. But then he's one of those wildly eclectic pianist/composers who are not in favour ...Belgium has quite a few of them : one day they write a litlle tonal & fun piece for piano, next they give birth to a mammoth atonal symphony or opera with politico/religious ambitions...Hmmm...? To be honest, I know too little of him to give good information. I'll stick to : eclectic, neo romantic, coloristic use of all kinds of techniques .

He wrote a Symphonia concertante for horn, piano and orchestra and a pianoconcerto "Slovienska duca" which is an extravagant mix of Prokofiev, Katsjaturian, Bartok, Chostakovitch & Penderecki..( the last movement is to played "con demenza").


From Cebedem:
Born (Ixelles) (Brussels), December 5, 1939.
Music studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels
In 1965 he won the first Grand Prix de Rome.
He has persued a successful career as pedagogue and composer.
He was on the staff of the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and Liège where he taught piano, musical analysis and counterpoint. He was also director of the Music Academy Watermael-Boitsfort. Since several years he is a free-lance composer.
Numerous awards including the Koopal Prize in 1972, the Fuerison Prize in 1977 and the Grand Prix Musical Paul Gilson in Quebec (Canada) in 1973.
His Violin Concerto was the compulsory work of the "International Music Competition Queen Elisabeth of Belgium 1980". His style is
fundamentally traditional but he makes good use of some expressionistic elements which characterize the avant-garde movement.

Thanks for that, Peter :)

Yes..."wildly eclectic" seems to perfectly sum up the music I was listening to ;D

Quote from: vandermolen on October 31, 2008, 01:38:29 PM
Just noticed this thread. I greatly admire Godfried Devreese's Gothic Symphony and In Memoriam (a great work) and Pliny's Fountain by Meulemans. Any other fans of these works?

vandermolen, have u heard G. Devreese's Violin Concerto?; full of the most beautiful,memorable melodies; one of those unknown works which really stick in the mind. Wil have to replay the Gothic, but remember liking it.
Re Meulemans; very individual; the only impressionistic style music I have ever really liked, but with a late Romantic tinge(the melodies are fragmented, a sort of pointilliste style). Makes me think of barren, eerie Suffolk landscapes(UK), as explored in the (literary) works of Sebald(if you admire Sebald please pm me!)

I also recommend Mortelmans: more straightforwardly late Romantic: the closest equivalent i can think of is SIEGFRIED Wagner:his music, like SW's, is full of passion and yearning: the most striking is "The Myth of Spring". Any other G. Devreese, Mortelmans and Meulemans afficiandos?

Steve

PS The Devreese(Senior) Violin Concerto is on one of those old Marco Polo cds.

(http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/jpegs/034571177663.png) October release

Flemish music has a rather unusual position in the history of nineteenth-century music, in that orchestral and symphonic music were almost completely subordinated to vocal music. There was little expertise in instrumental music, and this concentration on vocal works (which was seen as part of an inherited French culture) got in the way of the development of an orchestral tradition. However, occasionally a figure would appear who broke the mould. Lodewijk Mortelmans (1868–1952) was one of those responsible for the Flemish orchestral renaissance, and who looked with curiosity beyond the Belgian borders. He won the Prix de Rome in 1893, and used the prize money to travel to Germany and Italy to broaden his cultural experience. As a music correspondent he wrote about performances in Bayreuth and kept his finger on the pulse of European musical life. He wished to create an autonomous, 'Flemish' symphonic culture, while also appealing beyond its boundaries by choosing 'extramusical' subjects with a more universal agenda than Flemish nationalist topics.

One cannot accuse Mortelmans of being musically avant-garde or adventurous: he was aware that European classical music was following a new, atonal and even serial path, but right up to his death he was unwilling to abandon his romantic signature. But he perfected his traditional approach and his music is deeply attractive, showing the influence of both Sibelius and Wagner. A selection of his greatest works for orchestra are recorded here. Hyperion regular Martyn Brabbins conducts the Royal Flemish Philharmonic in their first recording for Hyperion.

read more at hyperion

  Homerische symfonie 
1  Movement 1: Van de helden : 'Of the heroes'  [11'00] 
2  Movement 2: Herinneringen aan Patroklos' dood / 'Memories of Patroklos's death'  [11'47] 
3  Movement 3: Sirenengespeel en gezang / 'Sirens playing and singing'  [11'41] 
4  Movement 4: De genius van Hellas/ 'The genius of Hellas'  [8'44] 
5  Morgenstemming 'Morning Mood'  [12'42] 
6  Mythe der lente 'Myth of Spring'  [10'47] 

Thanks for that, pjme; very enlightening.

Lovely music. There is a little Mortelmans piece for orchestra, "Exultation", paired down and beautiful melody. Wish I could afford the Homeric Symphony!

Steve

Belgian question:

Can anyone direct me towards which of Wim Mertens' compositions are of a more classical bent? I've tried to sample his music to answer my initial question "Is this classical?", but am not finding any answers. Wikipedia assures me that he at least has some, despite his Einaudi-style albums, but he composed so much that it's a bit of a hassle working out exactly what is going on in his output.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wim_Mertens

Sorry Lethe, but I cannot help you.  Mertens'music leaves cold, so I never investigated.

Peter

ps: A new Hyperion Cd will soon be out ( November) with music by Meulemans ( two concerti for orchestra) and several works by Jef Maes.  Antwerp PhO/ Brabbins.

Lekeu has been mentioned already in this thread. His "Adagio pour Quatuor d'Orchestra" is a gripping, moving piece which I am sure will appeal to anybody who likes Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht, and makes one regret very much his untimely demise. Surely the composer of such a riveting piece as this had great things in him. It was completed in 1891, when Lekeu was 22. Verklarte Nacht was not written until 1899...

The work is scored for string orchestra with a solo trio of violin/viola/cello - the title has never made sense to me, until now. I have just realised that the orchestra is the fourth member of the "quartet".

Decent recordings are a bit thin on the ground; mine is on an Erato LP (NUM 75052), played by the Monte Carlo PO under Armin Jordan, and is perfectly serviceable. Once again Youtube comes to the rescue with this slow but rather fine, impassioned performance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AujdNOPZ6FU) - well, it is an Adagio. The video is split into two parts, for reasons which are unclear to me.

Just been listening to downloads kindly provided at Unsung Composers of Jongens, Violin Concerto and String Trio. The Trio reminded me of Vaughan Williams, the Concerto (a beautiful work) of Bruch.

What is his Symphonie Concertante for organ and orchestra like? I have to say I don't normally like Romantic organ music.

Once again greatly enjoying this CD:
Think he is a genuinely undeservedly neglected composer. The Symphony (1944) is moving and memorable as is 'In Memoriam '. Looking forward to lots of replies  8)
[asin]B00000463Y[/asin]

Hi, afaik, no recent recordings of music by Devreese were made... there's plenty to choose from however. A.o. a 50 min. Goethe symphony with chorus , concerti for piano, violin and cello, orchestral suites, works for brass and percussion etc.

In Hyperion's Violonconcert series however: Joseph Jongen and Sylvio Lazzari. out in january 2015.

The Romantic Violin Concerto

Joseph Jongen (1873-1953)
Violin Concerto; Lazzari: Rapsodie
Philippe Graffin (violin), Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
Show download options 5 January 2015 Release   This album is not yet available for download LISTEN TO ALL EXTRACTS 
1  Fantasia in E major Op 12  [6'18]  English Français Deutsch



2  Rapsodie in E minor  [16'52]  Sylvio Lazzari (1857-1944)  English Français Deutsch



3  Adagio symphonique in B major Op 20  [11'53]  English Français Deutsch



  Violin Concerto in B minor Op 17  English Français Deutsch



4  Allegro poco maestoso  [11'55] 
5  Adagio, molto espressivo  [9'15] 
6  Animé  [9'32] 
The Romantic Violin Concerto series reaches Belgium and the music of Joseph Jongen, a composer more celebrated for his organ music now, but who was equally admired in his day for his orchestral and chamber works. Jongen studied at the Liège Conservatoire where he heard the great violinist Eugène Ysaÿe and composer-conductors Vincent d'Indy and Richard Strauss.

In this new album Philippe Graffin (a welcome and familiar presence in this series) collaborates with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic and Martyn Brabbins in Jongen's Violin Concerto, one of the composer's first substantial works. It was described by his contemporary Florent Schmitt as 'one of the finest violin concertos'; and he admired the 'outpouring of warm lyricism' and 'lush profusion of themes and rhythms'.

Also included are other works for violin and orchestra, and a Rapsodie for the same forces by Italian Romantic Sylvio Lazzari (1857–1944) who was influenced—as was Jongen—by the music of César Franck.



Introduction  EnglishFrançaisDeutsch 
In a biographical pamphlet published by J & W Chester in 1922, Lord Berners described Joseph Jongen as a composer whose music had 'remarkable lyric charm and dramatic power'. That acute summary of his musical language makes his neglect all the more puzzling. If Jongen is known at all, it is largely through his finely crafted organ music, rather than his substantial output for orchestra or his chamber music (including three fine string quartets). Born in Liège on 14 December 1873, his father was a cabinet-maker and wood-carver who specialized in church furnishings. But he was also a keen amateur musician (he had studied the trombone in his youth), who had encountered the best music Paris had to offer when he spent six months there in 1867. Jongen began to study the piano when he was seven years old, and his teacher (who was organist of Saint-Jacques in Liège) soon encouraged him to take up the organ as well. Jongen continued his studies at the Conservatoire in Liège while still singing in the choirs of several churches. His time at the Liège Conservatoire was formative, with his first chance to hear Eugène Ysaÿe, and visits to the city by composer–conductors such as Vincent d'Indy and Richard Strauss.

Jongen was a brilliant student and had already started to demonstrate his gifts as a composer in his early teens. In 1897 he won the Belgian Prix de Rome, which gave him the chance to study in Italy and to travel. He made the most of this opportunity, setting out first for Berlin in 1898, where the concerts conducted by Arthur Nikisch and Felix Weingartner made a lasting impression, as did performances of Strauss's Heldenleben (conducted by the composer) and Jongen's first hearing of Brahms's Violin Concerto, played by Joseph Joachim. One of his grandest works from this period was a symphony, written under the influence of Strauss's tone poems. He took it to Strauss and was delighted to be welcomed warmly and taken seriously, recalling later that Strauss's comments were 'like beams of light, as if a thick curtain had been lifted from my eyes'.

After a visit to Bayreuth in the summer of 1899, Jongen settled for a few months in Munich. It was here that he wrote the Violin Concerto in B minor, Op 17, for the violinist Émile Chaumont (1878–1942), a lifelong friend from Liège. The following year Jongen was in Paris, where he met Dukas, Vierne and Fauré. Back in Rome at the end of 1901, he met Florent Schmitt (who had just won the Prix de Rome in Paris). The pair of them struck up a friendship during their time as fellow prize-winners at the Villa Medici. While Jongen's next work—the Cello Concerto, Op 18, from 1900—enjoyed a good deal of success, the Violin Concerto was largely overlooked even in his lifetime. It was published by Durand in 1914—with a dedication not to Chaumont, but to the great Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe. Ysaÿe admired Jongen greatly, and was an enthusiastic advocate of his music, but not, it seems, of the Violin Concerto. It had one performance in Paris at the time of publication but the critic in Le Mercure musical (May 1914) noted only that it was 'excellently interpreted by M. Ch[arles] Herman'. Herman was a Belgian violinist who was leader of the Concerts Lamoureux in Paris for some years, later taking up a teaching post at the Conservatoire in Brussels. Another performance was given in Ostend in 1930, but it was not until October 1938 that it attracted critical attention when it was again heard in Paris. On that occasion it was played by Henry Merckel, a violinist whose impressive solo career (particularly as an advocate of new music) went in parallel with his work as one of the city's most prominent orchestral leaders, including a thirty-year stint with the orchestra of the Paris Opéra. Merckel's performance was part of a gala evening celebrating Franco-Belgian friendship. Aptly enough, it was reviewed for Le Temps by Florent Schmitt, Jongen's old friend from his student years in Rome. Some four decades after its composition, Schmitt's reaction is as fascinating as it is warm-hearted. He begins by discussing the first two movements:

This concerto, which, they say, dates from the 1900s, wears its age lightly, and if the initial part seems to delight in a slightly stiff dignity, it is the hesitant shyness of a personality that is still looking, however, towards the Andante—more matured, blended with delicious melancholy, an outpouring of warm lyricism.
Schmitt's comments on the first movement are fair enough: though there is plenty of florid solo writing, the mood is dominated by the rather stern opening figure, descending, then rising on a dotted rhythm, that suggests something of Jongen's debt to César Franck (he was still in his mid-twenties when he composed this concerto). A contrasting theme in E major shows another Franck characteristic—returning repeatedly to one or two notes around which the whole melody seems to revolve. As Schmitt suggests, it is in the slow movement (not in fact an 'Andante' but marked Adagio, molto espressivo) that Jongen appears to be set free with song-like lines for the soloist often seeming to spiral upwards, and orchestration that is delicately coloured for the most part, blossoming into a big tutti just once, near the end.

Schmitt reserves his highest praise for the finale—a movement about which Jongen himself seemed to have had some doubts before publication: the score suggests an optional cut of some ten pages near the beginning, removing the whole of the orchestral introduction except the first two bars (the work is played complete on this recording). But Schmitt evidently had no such worries:

The finale, so penetrating at the start in its rising sixths in the strings, and so bright at the end, when it explodes in a lush profusion of themes and rhythms that verges on extravagance ...
Again, the benevolent influence of Franck can be heard in the propulsive rising and falling theme heard in the lower strings at the start, taken up by violins and violas over low pedal notes, and used to drive the music forward before being coloured by spiky woodwind chords. The first solo entry is a dashing counterpoint to the opening theme which continues to rumble away beneath. A second theme is a more tranquil contrast, supported by harmonies that seem effortlessly mobile. As the opening theme is used to urge the music towards an exciting climax, the key changes from B minor to B major and a thrilling coda ensues—presumably the 'lush profusion' of Schmitt's review—ending with a brief flourish of woodwind and brass fanfares to underline the transformation of the theme into the major key. Schmitt was completely won over—although as well as praising Jongen profusely, he couldn't resist taking a swipe at a rather unlikely target:

This concerto, which I believe was previously unknown in France, may be among the finest violin concertos, advantageously replacing, if necessary, the interesting but hackneyed Mendelssohn, and even more so that of Beethoven which is completely devoid of any actual musical interest.
The Violin Concerto was one of Jongen's first substantial works. During his stay in Paris in he composed the Adagio symphonique in B major, Op 20, completing it in April 1901 (the manuscript is dated) and dedicating it to his friend Joseph Debroux (1866–1929), with whom he produced some editions of little-known eighteenth-century music. Beginning with a haunting horn figure that comes to dominate much of the work, the violin soloist plays high-lying lyrical lines over quite a rich orchestral texture. Towards the end, the soloist engages in a brief but lovely dialogue with solo oboe and flute before the music turns to harp-drenched chords of B major, with hints of the opening theme beneath.

The Fantasia in E major, Op 12, is the earliest work on this recording, completed in October 1898, just before Jongen began his European travels. A short piece, it begins slowly before becoming more animated. The most memorable moment comes near the end, where the soloist plays a version of the main theme notable for its uncomplicated lyricism, Jongen's confident handling of the orchestra, and his gift for telling harmonies.

Sylvio Lazzari (1857–1944) was born in Italy. A pupil of Gounod at the Paris Conservatoire, he was encouraged by Franck and Chausson and his music owes a considerable debt to them, as well as to Wagner. He is probably best known for the opera La tour de feu (The lighthouse), given its premiere at the Paris Opéra in 1928. It was one of the first operas to make use of cinema effects (the final scene was performed in front of a projected film of a stormy sea). The Rapsodie in E minor for violin and orchestra was composed six years earlier (the manuscript is dated 'Suresnes, 16 April 1922, Easter Sunday'). The fluid harmonies and lyrical lines of this work reveal a composer of great skill, while the solemn chromatic brass chords that introduce the closing section suggest a flair for moments of post-Wagnerian nobility. Cast in a single movement, the Rapsodie has an appropriately free structure—and one that is marked throughout by music of singular beauty and poise, deftly orchestrated.

Nigel Simeone © 2015

Many thanks for the interesting response.

Am greatly enjoying Arthur Meulemans's (1884-1966) Symphony 3 (1933). It has a rather magical opening and is a very poetic and imaginative work of under 20 minutes. The same Marco Polo CD features 'Pliny's Fountain' which is Meulemans's best known or least unknown score. It a haunting and poetic score which gives much pleasure:
[asin]B00000464I[/asin]
Here is some info.on the composer:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/Oct02/Meulemans_Culot.htm
I've just noticed the CD available for under 3$ at the Amazon US site.

I hadn't realised how good Jef Maes's Second Symphony is. Quite Baxian in a way and definitely for admirers of late-Romantic music but with a distinctive, engaging musical personality. It has a wonderfully dark but paradoxically uplifting conclusion.
No doubt I'll reply to myself in three year's time.  8)
(//)

I have heard nothing by that composer so far. Your description makes the music appear appealing. It will go to my list of recommendations.

Quote from: SymphonicAddict on July 17, 2019, 03:54:03 PM
I have heard nothing by that composer so far. Your description makes the music appear appealing. It will go to my list of recommendations.

Thanks for responding Cesar.  :)
In places it also reminded me of Korngold's Symphony. My surmise is that you would enjoy it. I enjoyed the whole CD and not just the Symphony No.2.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 17, 2019, 11:51:10 PM
Thanks for responding Cesar.  :)
In places it also reminded me of Korngold's Symphony. My surmise is that you would enjoy it. I enjoyed the whole CD and not just the Symphony No.2.

Much better, Jeffrey! Thanks!

Quote from: vandermolen on July 17, 2019, 11:51:10 PM
Thanks for responding Cesar.  :)
In places it also reminded me of Korngold's Symphony. My surmise is that you would enjoy it. I enjoyed the whole CD and not just the Symphony No.2.

I must hear anything that is reminiscent of the great Korngold Symphony! Thanks for the recommendation, Jeffrey.

Quote from: kyjo on July 19, 2019, 06:24:54 AM
I must hear anything that is reminiscent of the great Korngold Symphony! Thanks for the recommendation, Jeffrey.

It was only a momentary impression Kyle but I suspect that it would be of interest to you.

The website of the Queen Elisabeth Competition offers some unusual recordings - live - most of them in good sound.
https://queenelisabethcompetition.be/en/competitions/
https://queenelisabethcompetition.be/en/watch-listen/

A list of all concerto's written for the competition can be consulted  here:
http://perso.unamur.be/~jmlamber/re/re_imposes.php

Peter

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0390903459_10.jpg)

These days I came across this fantastic CD. I already knew Boeck's Symphony in G major, considering it quite good and memorable. Now, the works on the CD are other real finds. The Piano Concerto is such a sparkling, witty and fresh work. It has a bit of the elegance and fluency of Saint-Saëns's works in the genre. Overture to Théroigne de Méricourt is five minutes of sheer sophistication and beauty, a splendid miniature. Perhaps the most impressive work is the Suite from the opera Francesca. This is incandescent stuff, unabashedly full-blooded, something to wallow in. Really wonderful in my view. A winning CD in all regards.

Enjoying the works of Paul Gilson and Godfried Devreese. Picturesque and somehow three-dimensional music.

That Devreese cd has some strange words...:
the ballet is titled Tombelène, not Tomblene ( after a Celtic legend / a small island/rock, close to the Mont Saint Michel is named Tombelaine).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombelaine
The cellist is Viviane Spanoghe (not Vivaiane), Guido de Neve is soloist in the violinconcerto. Frederic Devreese conducts.
I hope that sooner or later we can hear the original and unusual orchestration by Godfried Devreese: 15 winds, celeste, harp, six five-string double basses and variously tuned side drums. Frederik Devreese re-orchestrated the concertino in 1992, for a more practical, small orchestra, without percussion.

Enjoying the orchestral works of Flor Alpaerts. I don't know anything about him, but the music is unique and elegant, with innovative and lush orchestration.

The SVM ( Study Center for Flemish Music) in Antwerp has a biography:

https://www.svm.be/content/alpaerts-flor?display=biography&language=en

(https://www.svm.be/sites/default/files/imagecache/composer-medium/composer_1_4.jpg)

Some years ago I solisti del vento recorded Alpaerts' Avondmuziek - Evening music for winds

(https://media.s-bol.com/mBWJYANWO4O/550x495.jpg)

This disc of music by the pianist composer Arthur De Greef is very well done. It is one of Yannick Nézet-Séguin's earliest recordings, from 2005. I never fail to find it utterly fetching even if it's not exactly pathbreaking stuff.

(https://img.discogs.com/_nLEHHrJpl3T8-qZ0M7W_usjjFQ=/fit-in/500x494/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-10356857-1495912510-1453.jpeg.jpg)


https://www.allmusic.com/album/arthur-de-greef-orchestral-works-mw0001393629 (https://www.allmusic.com/album/arthur-de-greef-orchestral-works-mw0001393629)

(https://www.svm.be/sites/default/files/imagecache/composer-medium/composer_28_1.jpg)

https://www.svm.be/content/de-greef-arthur?display=biography&language=en

That is indeed a lovely disc...to be savoured in small doses.

His Suite for orchestra is another well written, melodious romp ''Ín the olden style'.

https://youtu.be/I7zZvr6bgYU

Musicians of the LSO gave De Greef a nickname in 1915, when touring northern Britain (Elgar conducting) : the dancing flamingo. Apparently De Greef had a curious way of moving his whole body to the rythm of the music and throwing up his hands at the end of a phrase.

Thanks, Peter.

I yet have to unseal the Fuga Libera box of music by André Laporte (b. 1931, Flemish despite his French-sounding name). I fell under the spell of his music based on this disc:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51BQ0DXi57L.jpg)

Have you heard his music ?

For a couple of years Laporte was 'big name'. He worked for the BRT/BRTN/VRT and was able to influence artistic choices.
Today he is almost forgotten and his Darmstadt/Boulez/Berio/Stockhausen education makes him very difficult 'to sell'....

I clearly remember several works and the premiere of his oratorio La vita non e sogno and the opera Das Schloss. Brillant events , now forgotten.

Still, I think that he is a very accomplished artist and I definitely would buy tickets to hear  and see his music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Laporte

Quote from: pjme on March 19, 2021, 05:49:56 AM
The SVM ( Study Center for Flemish Music) in Antwerp has a biography:

https://www.svm.be/content/alpaerts-flor?display=biography&language=en

(https://www.svm.be/sites/default/files/imagecache/composer-medium/composer_1_4.jpg)

Some years ago I solisti del vento recorded Alpaerts' Avondmuziek - Evening music for winds

(https://media.s-bol.com/mBWJYANWO4O/550x495.jpg)

Thanks a lot. Very informative site! Also I like the disc you suggested, including the work of Strauss.
I am enjoying the colorful music of August de Boeck today. Wonderful disc.

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on March 21, 2021, 05:50:51 PM
Thanks a lot. Very informative site! Also I like the disc you suggested, including the work of Strauss.
I am enjoying the colorful music of August de Boeck today. Wonderful disc.

A nice disc. Love the symphony.

Frederic Devreese, the conductor on this disc, is also a talented composer. I have a couple of discs of his music.

Quote from: André on March 22, 2021, 05:10:14 AM
A nice disc. Love the symphony.

Frederic Devreese, the conductor on this disc, is also a talented composer. I have a couple of discs of his music.

I will look for his discs! Thank you.

Quote from: André on March 22, 2021, 05:10:14 AM
A nice disc. Love the symphony.

Frederic Devreese, the conductor on this disc, is also a talented composer. I have a couple of discs of his music.

If interested, I can send both you and Dry Brett a recording of '"Evocations' a quite early symphonic suite that Frederic Devreese distilled from a radio play 'Willem van Saeftinghe'". But not before early april.....I'll give more details later.
Peter

Thanks, Peter. I would very much appreciate. I have long had a special interest in belgian composers  0:).

Quote from: pjme on March 22, 2021, 07:25:12 AM
If interested, I can send both you and Dry Brett a recording of '"Evocations' a quite early symphonic suite that Frederic Devreese distilled from a radio play 'Willem van Saeftinghe'". But not before early april.....I'll give more details later.
Peter

Wonderful! Thank you very much, Peter.
Thanks to Stürmisch Bewegt's recommendation, now listening to the disc of Alpaerts / Meulemans / D'hoedt. All the works sound great. It seems to me that D'hoedt is under-recorded. His work in the disc is brilliant.

Some fine music in these two discs:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51IbiwU2V3L.jpg) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91k0NX2kcZL._SX450_.jpg)

although whoever came up with the idea of orienting the covers the way they did should be hanged upside down.  ;D

The back covers at least are properly oriented.

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3O6QIil9a3k/XAn6HV8oahI/AAAAAAAAPv4/BdzdFT2tbv4n3yC4Ae9TasX-JBFBIGkowCEwYBhgL/s1600/back.jpg)(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71Vjf4Sh6DL._SX466_.jpg)

Flemish Horn Concerti.
Just accidentally found the disc on Amazon and ordered it. While I don't know anything about the composers and performer, the music is vivid, picturesque and diverse. Wonderful surprise.

Thanks for bringing this out. I have some Meulemans and De Jong, but the other names are totally unknown to me. I'll explore further.

Quote from: André on March 26, 2021, 05:22:21 PM
Thanks for bringing this out. I have some Meulemans and De Jong, but the other names are totally unknown to me. I'll explore further.

Great! Please let me know what you think and what is going on in the recording.

Robert Herberigs concerto/symphonic poem with horn solo was played and recorded by its dedicatee.

https://www.youtube.com/v/jaNzoida8iI

Herberigs writes very colorfull, brillantly/heavily orchestrated music, using Strauss, Ravel and Debussy et.al.as masters.

The same applies for the other composrers, I'd say, but as their music is hardly ever edited or played and or recorded it is difficult to judge from a few works.

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on March 26, 2021, 05:35:32 PM
Great! Please let me know what you think and what is going on in the recording.

My exploration led me to find that it is rare and overpriced  :o.

This label often gets heavily discounted on the market place, so I'll keep an eye on it.  :)

I have been listening to these nice discs this week. Colorful music.

Quote from: pjme on March 22, 2021, 07:25:12 AM
If interested, I can send both you and Dry Brett a recording of '"Evocations' a quite early symphonic suite that Frederic Devreese distilled from a radio play 'Willem van Saeftinghe'". But not before early april.....I'll give more details later.
Peter

Peter,
I am glad you sent me the recording. I enjoyed the wonderful, artistic music. While his music is significantly different from that of his father's generation, the composition is refined and innovative with less folk elements.  The music is energetic and atmospheric. The movements and orchestration are well-structured and highly sophisticated as well. Thanks a lot for sending the music to me. I will routinely listen to this recording.

Mr.Van Rijen told me that there was cd recorded with his music.I found never.
https://musicalics.com/it/node/485628

Hello Roy,

I found this Flemish pdf document :
https://www.arhus.be/uploads/media/16_Ostijn__Willy__folder__2005_01.pdf

It mentions only two cds that were commercially available:

Toccata voor orgel  / orgel Eric Hallein // In : Eric Hallein speelt
symfonische orgelmuziek uit Vlaanderen [ cd ]. – [S.l.] : [s.n.], 1992. – 1 cd. –
CDSE 92124
And, as part of a book, I think:

(https://www.deslegte.com/images/cached/resample/jpg/data/uploads/300/424/cms_visual_1303363.jpg_1577366268000_300x424.jpg)
Drie Vlaamse dansen voor orkest, 1942 [ track ] / Filharmonisch Orkest van de BRT ; dirigent Erik Baeck // In : Lexicon van de muziek in West-Vlaanderen, vol.01 [ cd ] /
Herman Roelstraete, Jules Bouquet, Vic Legley, Elias Gistelinck, Louis De Meester, Willy Ostijn en Jan Decadt. – Kortrijk : Radio 2, [2003?]. – 1 cd. –
LMO1
It will be difficult to track these older issues down.....
Only second hand:
https://untje.com/nl/lexicon-van-de-muziek-in-west-vlaanderen-24319.html

All the other recordings mentioned,  stem from the historical BRT/VRT archives and are not readily available. Some of these are on YT however.
https://youtu.be/14nKl11f0gM
Personally I have nothing by Ostyn. Sometimes his name is written as Ostijn.

Peter

Quote from: pjme on April 05, 2021, 06:45:48 AM
Hello Roy,

I found this Flemish pdf document :
https://www.arhus.be/uploads/media/16_Ostijn__Willy__folder__2005_01.pdf

It mentions only two cds that were commercially available:

Toccata voor orgel  / orgel Eric Hallein // In : Eric Hallein speelt
symfonische orgelmuziek uit Vlaanderen [ cd ]. – [S.l.] : [s.n.], 1992. – 1 cd. –
CDSE 92124
And, as part of a book, I think:

(https://www.deslegte.com/images/cached/resample/jpg/data/uploads/300/424/cms_visual_1303363.jpg_1577366268000_300x424.jpg)
Drie Vlaamse dansen voor orkest, 1942 [ track ] / Filharmonisch Orkest van de BRT ; dirigent Erik Baeck // In : Lexicon van de muziek in West-Vlaanderen, vol.01 [ cd ] /
Herman Roelstraete, Jules Bouquet, Vic Legley, Elias Gistelinck, Louis De Meester, Willy Ostijn en Jan Decadt. – Kortrijk : Radio 2, [2003?]. – 1 cd. –
LMO1
It will be difficult to track these older issues down.....
Only second hand:
https://untje.com/nl/lexicon-van-de-muziek-in-west-vlaanderen-24319.html

All the other recordings mentioned,  stem from the historical BRT/VRT archives and are not readily available. Some of these are on YT however.
https://youtu.be/14nKl11f0gM
Personally I have nothing by Ostyn. Sometimes his name is written as Ostijn.

Peter

Thanks! Another belgian composer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhIGHrZrtzI
https://musicalics.com/nl/node/80608

Roelstraete is yet another forgotten artist. During his lifetime he had certainly some notoriety in Flanders.
As so many composers of his generation he was too modern for an older generation of listeners and definitely too old fashioned/romantic/tonal for the Pousseur, Goeyvaerts, Boesmans...school.

https://www.svm.be/content/roelstraete-herman?display=biography&language=en
https://matrix-new-music.be/en/publications/flemish-composers-database/roelstraete-herman/
https://ctb.kantl.be/publicaties/herman-roelstraete-thematische-catalogus-van-het-werk (flemish only)

Solid performance of August De Boeck and Paul Gilson. Nice coupling and lovely disc.

Thank you for the insightful review on the Horn Concerti, Andre.

Quote from: André on April 13, 2021, 03:42:07 PM
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51E5S7Mx4xL.jpg)

Rather specialized repertoire to be sure but since it exists, why not record it ?  ;D. Horn player André van Driessche was principal in the Belgian Radio Philharmonic, then the Flemish Radio Orchestra and the Brussels Philharmonic. Taught horn playing at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels. He displays a superb technique, producing golden liquid tones or rustic ones at will. Furthermore I think it's safe to say he knows the works like the back of his hand. All of the composers were fellow Conservatory teachers or conductors in one of the orchestras he played in.

The composers are Robert Herberigs, Prosper van Eechaute, Arthur Meulemans and Marinus de Jong. I only know and have music of, the last two named. Never heard of Herberigs (1886-1974) or van Eechaute (1904-1964) before. Be that as it may, all the music here is really worth listening to. There's plenty to please and a few surprises. How about an english horn solo to introduce the french horn in the slow movement of the Meulemans concerto? The effect is like watching water mixing with oil. A rather daring coloristic effect. Herberig's Cyrano de Bergerac is a suite for horn and orchestra, and very entertaining it is !

A fine disc I'm discovering through the good offices of Dry Brett Kavanaugh. Thank you, kind sir !

Cross posted from "what are you listening to":
Rather specialized repertoire to be sure but since it exists, why not record it ?"
Over several decades, the Belgian Ministries of Culture tried to promote some (19th -20th century) composers: LPs (Decca, Cultura) and Cds (BRT/VRT / VAR...) were made, were sent to embassies, were occasionally broadcast and then largely forgotten. Furthermore Belgium is squeezed between two giants, Germany and France, it is divided by a lingual barrier (lots of politico/financial/cultural incidents & struggles) and, over the last decades, the general interest has shifted from (late)romantic music to early / baroque music and all kinds of more contemporary expressions.  Paul Van Nevel, la petite Bande, Collegium Vocale, Philippe Herreweghe, Graindelavoix, Zefiro Torna....Ictus Ensemble, Eric Schleichim,....Etc.

https://classics.flandersartsinstitute.be/who%E2%80%99s-who-classical-music-flanders

The Belgian Radio Philharmonic, then the Flemish Radio Orchestra and the Brussels Philharmonic.
"The Brussels Philharmonic was founded in 1935 by the Belgian public broadcaster (National Broadcasting Institute (NIR/INR - later BRT/BRTN/VRT).
In 1991 the Orchestre Symphonique de la RTBF (the French sister ensemble) was definitively dismantled.
In 1998 the VRT orchestra is detached from the broadcasting organisation and restarts –in 2008 - as Brussels Philharmonic. Michel Tabachnik is followed by Stéphane Denève.
https://www.brusselsphilharmonic.be/en/orchestra

Robert Herberigs, Prosper van Eechaute, Arthur Meulemans and Marinus de Jong.

Of these 4, van Eechaute is the least well known (imho). And forgotten...
https://www.svm.be/content/van-eechaute-prosper?display=biography&language=en
https://youtu.be/MOwRzXiJlsA

Meulemans isn't totally unknown on GMG. Huge oeuvre (cfr Milhaud and Martinu), he wrote in almost every genre, from simple folksy/nationalistic/religious songs, to huge symphonies (15!) operas, oratoria, chamber music, concerti.... As with most his direct contemporaries: too "modern" for his late Romantic teachers, far too romantic & tonal for the 1950-1960 generation. The fact that he kept on working during WWII (out of need to feed his family...), tainted his reputation.
https://www.svm.be/content/meulemans-arthur?display=biography&language=en
https://youtu.be/xPyvE7-qh1c

I rather like Robert Herberigs. A "burgundian, Brueghelian" type, also a writer and a painter... with an apricot plantation in the south of France. What I know of him is big, bold, often very dramatic, very colorfull. The late symphonic poems are all "heavily" orchestrated. He loved Ravel and Richard Strauss. In 1948-1949 he wrote a very monumental score for Het Lam Gods spel - an open air evocation of Van Eyck's Ghent altar piece.
https://www.svm.be/content/herberigs-robert?display=biography&language=en
https://youtu.be/ymkTef8z6BY
Marinus de Jong is my least favorite composer of these 4. He had a profound knowledge of all the technical wizardries of composing... remains quite dull to my ears.
https://www.svm.be/content/de-jong-marinus?display=biography&language=en

https://youtu.be/NqynrD9yMUE
https://youtu.be/32fl7uEl06w

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on April 14, 2021, 06:11:36 AM
Solid performance of August De Boeck and Paul Gilson. Nice coupling and lovely disc.
(https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4977.0;attach=72846;image)

+ 1. I also have De Zee (The Sea) in another version, but I think this one is better.

Quote from: pjme on April 14, 2021, 06:31:32 AM

Robert Herberigs, Prosper van Eechaute, Arthur Meulemans and Marinus de Jong.

Of these 4, van Eechaute is the least well known (imho). And forgotten...
https://www.svm.be/content/van-eechaute-prosper?display=biography&language=en
https://youtu.be/MOwRzXiJlsA

Meulemans isn't totally unknown on GMG. Huge oeuvre (cfr Milhaud and Martinu), he wrote in almost every genre, from simple folksy/nationalistic/religious songs, to huge symphonies (15!) operas, oratoria, chamber music, concerti.... As with most his direct contemporaries: too "modern" for his late Romantic teachers, far too romantic & tonal for the 1950-1960 generation. The fact that he kept on working during WWII (out of need to feed his family...), tainted his reputation.
https://www.svm.be/content/meulemans-arthur?display=biography&language=en
https://youtu.be/xPyvE7-qh1c

I rather like Robert Herberigs. A "burgundian, Brueghelian" type, also a writer and a painter... with an apricot plantation in the south of France. What I know of him is big, bold, often very dramatic, very colorfull. The late symphonic poems are all "heavily" orchestrated. He loved Ravel and Richard Strauss. In 1948-1949 he wrote a very monumental score for Het Lam Gods spel - an open air evocation of Van Eyck's Ghent altar piece.
https://www.svm.be/content/herberigs-robert?display=biography&language=en
https://youtu.be/ymkTef8z6BY
Marinus de Jong is my least favorite composer of these 4. He had a profound knowledge of all the technical wizardries of composing... remains quite dull to my ears.
https://www.svm.be/content/de-jong-marinus?display=biography&language=en

https://youtu.be/NqynrD9yMUE
https://youtu.be/32fl7uEl06w

While I liked all the works, I especially enjoyed the works by Herberigs, Meulemans and de Jong. Possibly, the composition by Meulemans could be the strongest. van Eechaute was fine, but the music was broad and abstract. I need to listen to it a few more times.
Now listening to Pages Intimes/ Joseph Jongen. Likable disc.

Very fine indeed. That label's discs of Ysaÿe works are excellent, too.

Quote from: André on April 15, 2021, 12:24:24 PM
Very fine indeed. That label's discs of Ysaÿe works are excellent, too.

https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,4977.msg1356655.html#msg1356655 (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,4977.msg1356655.html#msg1356655)

These two, plus his opera Piére li houyeû (Pierre the Coal Miner). Beautiful albums in deluxe presentation, too !

Quote from: André on April 15, 2021, 12:44:42 PM
Beautiful albums in deluxe presentation, too !

Yep, but the covers are a torture for my Romanian eyes and neck.  :D

Thanks a lot, gents. I don't know the music of Ysaÿe. I will look for the recordings!

I was listening to this recording of A. Meulemans this weekend. Such an exciting and fun music. Glad I bought the disc.

I am not sure all from Belgium and all lare romantic
(https://i.discogs.com/TFqKDu_0ZEBVELkH1nrATvE9dH-gZ_38ycNZZa9qt6Y/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:591/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEyMjQ0/OTE3LTE2NjkzMjA3/NjktNzAwNC5qcGVn.jpeg)

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on May 23, 2021, 07:54:02 PMI was listening to this recording of A. Meulemans this weekend. Such an exciting and fun music. Glad I bought the disc.

I was listening to this disc a couple weeks ago. Really delightful short orchestral works (some with soloists), above all the Kermis Fantasie, Woudzag en Zigeurnerin for violin and orchestra, Rhapsodie for clarinet and orchestra, and Exotische Dans. I also listened recently to the Marco Polo disc of his 2nd and 3rd Symphonies and tone poem Pliny's Fountain - really fine impressionistic music, beautifully orchestrated. Meulemans is a significant voice and deserves more systematic treatment by the record companies!

Quote from: kyjo on December 02, 2022, 01:56:52 PMI was listening to this disc a couple weeks ago. Really delightful short orchestral works (some with soloists), above all the Kermis Fantasie, Woudzag en Zigeurnerin for violin and orchestra, Rhapsodie for clarinet and orchestra, and Exotische Dans. I also listened recently to the Marco Polo disc of his 2nd and 3rd Symphonies and tone poem Pliny's Fountain - really fine impressionistic music, beautifully orchestra. Meulemans is a significant voice and deserves more systematic treatment by the record companies!

Thank you. Enjoyed reading your opinion. Yes, I love the Marco Polo disc as well. So many geniuses in such a geographically small country.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71OD9dMrdgL._SL1200_.jpg)

^ Looks nice, Roy. I will check it out!

(https://i.discogs.com/E7JvlaP2hy7aoR1tqeCqNQ1J0ZjoIni7_zO36hpmWjk/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:591/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE3NDcy/MjE3LTE2MTM4Mjgx/ODktMTcwOS5qcGVn.jpeg)

(https://i.discogs.com/GWv8yoVditVOTjnV6RCNB7apUOMPHTJNYv9vWN9etzk/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:577/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEyODU0/NTM0LTE1NDMyNDA2/MjQtNDQ4NS5qcGVn.jpeg)

(https://i.discogs.com/_1jSUETYbT_3yWxE5rxKflwKPCjpTYF8iSQOhQOczVA/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:598/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEzNDM3/ODkxLTE1NTQyMTE0/NDktMzc0Ny5qcGVn.jpeg)

Quote from: Roy Bland on December 06, 2022, 05:41:05 PMARMAND MARSICK - "Three Symphonic Poems" - Orchestre Philharmonie de Lorraine /Houtmann (Koch)

This one - long out of print - would be nice to see on Spotify, if thou wouldst?  ;D

Or YouTube.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91ee-kNW4QL._SL1500_.jpg)

Quote from: Roy Bland on November 30, 2022, 08:05:41 PMI am not sure all from Belgium and all lare romantic
(https://i.discogs.com/TFqKDu_0ZEBVELkH1nrATvE9dH-gZ_38ycNZZa9qt6Y/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:591/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEyMjQ0/OTE3LTE2NjkzMjA3/NjktNzAwNC5qcGVn.jpeg)

These are all Belgian composers. Of these 4, Raymond Chevreuille may have written the most "attractive" music. He can be as quircky and light as Poulenc or Jean Françaix but - especially in his symphonies - the influence of Stravinsky, Bartok and Berg can be noticed. Several are on YT.
I hope that sooner or later his (short) but exuberant trumpet concerto will get a good recording. There is an old performance in the radio archives by Maurice André and Franz André (no relation). The concerto for saxophone, piano and orchestra is very enjoyable and the orchestral suite Brueghel, painter of the humble cries out for a state of the art performance and recording...
Here it is in an old LP recording by Daniel Sternefeld and the NOB.
https://archive.org/details/lp_brueghel-peintre-des-humbles-suite-symphon_raymond-chevreuille-august-baeyens-orchest_3/disc1/01.01.+Fanfare+a+la+gloire+de+Brueghel%3B+Le+Repas+de+noces.mp3 (https://archive.org/details/lp_brueghel-peintre-des-humbles-suite-symphon_raymond-chevreuille-august-baeyens-orchest_3/disc1/01.01.+Fanfare+a+la+gloire+de+Brueghel%3B+Le+Repas+de+noces.mp3)

Van Hove is still very active and his most recent symphony (nr. 4) is here



Renier Van der Velden can be called an expressionist. He was also a conductor and worked for the radio. Not many works have ever been performed or recorded.


Jules Strens is in my view the least well known even if his Danse funambulesque for large symphonic wind band was recorded in the US;


http://www.hafabramusic.com/biography/304/nl

Quote from: Roy Bland on December 06, 2022, 05:41:05 PM(https://i.discogs.com/E7JvlaP2hy7aoR1tqeCqNQ1J0ZjoIni7_zO36hpmWjk/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:591/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE3NDcy/MjE3LTE2MTM4Mjgx/ODktMTcwOS5qcGVn.jpeg)

(https://i.discogs.com/GWv8yoVditVOTjnV6RCNB7apUOMPHTJNYv9vWN9etzk/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:577/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEyODU0/NTM0LTE1NDMyNDA2/MjQtNDQ4NS5qcGVn.jpeg)

(https://i.discogs.com/_1jSUETYbT_3yWxE5rxKflwKPCjpTYF8iSQOhQOczVA/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:598/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEzNDM3/ODkxLTE1NTQyMTE0/NDktMzc0Ny5qcGVn.jpeg)

Marsick sounded good in Youtube. I will look for the recording.

This CD contains the 'Homeric Symphony' and two tone poems 'Morgenstemming' (Morning Mood) and 'Mythe der Lente' (Myth of Spring) by Lodewijk Mortelmans (1868-1952). I remember listening to the Symphony several years ago finding it uninteresting and ordinary, but now my impressions are much more positive, except for the last movement whose inspiration is not up to the other three movements. As its title indicates, the Symphony has a programmatic character based on Mortelman's impressions about Homer's the Iliad and the Odyssey. The other two tone poems hold very well too, featured by having graceful beauty and lush orchestration in a very late-Romantic spirit. A most enjoyable program. I like when this little-known stuff is brought to life in good recordings like this even though it is not necessarily masterful or disruptive in any way.

(https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/jpegs/150dpi/034571177663.png)

(https://laboiteamusique.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/5410939746323.jpg)

Could be on cd perhaps Pjme knows

Post here not sure it's proper

https://www.belgianbrass.be/en/cds/

More IT
(https://i.discogs.com/PaMDaeutkewYjU66ApqXIXiRzVXuutwsxDZDS9gHLZg/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTIwNDg5/MTczLTE2NTQ0NDE4/NTctNzEzMS5qcGVn.jpeg)

(http://klassichaus.us/images/KHCD-2023-002cover.jpg)

Quote from: Roy Bland on February 18, 2023, 07:54:58 PMCould be on cd perhaps Pjme knows

Alas, this sounds to me as a rather semi-professional performance and recording.I do not know if it was issued on cd.

"Herman Roelstraete studied at the Lemmens Institute, where, via Jules Van Nuffel he familiarised himself with the work of the Flemish polyphonists, and also at the conservatories of Brussels and Ghent. Subsequently he was a teacher and the director of several music academies.

Roelstraete left behind a varied oeuvre of about 160 opus numbers, representing virtually all genres with the exception of opera. His particular attention was given to choral music, for which he used texts by authors like Albrecht Rodenbach, Paul Van Ostaijen and Anton Van Wilderode. He kept in close touch with plenty of amateur choirs, both accompanying and advising them. In his native region he collected popular songs, several of which he turned into arrangements of his own. Additionally he put much energy into musicological research concerning Flemish composers who had lapsed into oblivion and he also founded and conducted several vocal and instrumental ensembles specialising in the performance of Flemish music.

As a conductor he was strongly committed to the work of Krafft, Peter Benoit and Edgar Tinel. In 1967 the city of Antwerp and the Peter Benoit Foundation awarded him the Peter Benoit Prize for his performance of Benoit's Drama Christi and in 1983 the Belgian music press gave him the 'Snepvangers' prize for his recording of Benoit's Requiem with the Kortrijk Mixed Choir and the choir and orchestra of the Belgian Radio and Television Broadcasting Corporation.

In 1978 Roelstraete founded 'Musica Flandrorum', a cultural organisation which promoted Flemish music through musicological research, a chamber choir and a music publishing company."


This (miniature) Symphonia concertante reminds me of Hindemith.

Herman Roelstraete (https://matrix-new-music.be/en/publications/flemish-composers-database/roelstraete-herman/) information at Matrix Music center

TNX

Surely not this "Group of Seven" not "Synthetists" considered themselves late romantic .However more details about them would be precious understanding belgian music.Pjme please could you help?

https://www.arllfb.be/ebibliotheque/seancespubliques/06032004/haine.pdf

Very beautiful music as far as I could hear sadly only in a very old lp
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2ZsAAOSwl7thW-gB/s-l1600.jpg)

Not all late romantic
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/bD8AAOSwxaFjXbOi/s-l1600.png)

Quote from: Roy Bland on March 29, 2023, 07:38:51 PMSurely not this "Group of Seven" not "Synthetists" considered themselves late romantic .However more details about them would be precious understanding belgian music.Pjme please could you help?

https://www.arllfb.be/ebibliotheque/seancespubliques/06032004/haine.pdf

Hi, it isn't easy to find good information on these composers. It is a period in Belgian music history that- apparently - isn't well researched.

However, Les Synthétistes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Synth%C3%A9tistes) that's easy, they are :

René Bernier (1905–1984)
Francis de Bourguignon (1890–1961)
Gaston Brenta (1902–1969)
Théo De Joncker (1894–1964)
Robert Otlet
Marcel Poot (1901–1988)
Maurice Schoemaker (1890–1964)
Jules Strens (1893–1971).

"Notons aussi qu'à l'image du Groupe des Six, Mesens a rassemblé autour de lui en 1920 un
 « Groupe des sept », formé de musiciens flamands modernes d'une renommée beaucoup plus modeste et plus limitée dans le temps que leur parangon français.
Karel Albert est l'un des membres de ce groupe"

In Flavie Roquets massive "Lexicon van Vlaamse componisten geboren na 1800" (Flemish only) Karel Albert, August Baeyens and Willem Pelemans are mentioned as a first group of composers who reacted violently against flemish romanticism - after WW1.
They organised a concert in Brussels -anno 1922 - with their own work and compositions by Hervé Claus, Jules Gien, Lode Vets, E.L.T.Mesens, Georges Monier and August L.Baeyens.
Possibly you could contact mrs. Roquet yourself. She gives the folowing adresses
F.Roquet
Bruggestraat 21
8830 Hooglede
Belgium
flavie@pandora.be

Aha - look : under Lodewijk (Lode) Vets, I find the following in Roquets Lexicon:

"He was member of a group modernist flemish composers, 'Groupe des sept' gathered around E.L.T.Mesens: Karel Albert (pseudonym K.Victors), August Baeyens, Hervé Claus (pseudonym U.S.Alck),Jules Gien en George Monier"


The Internet archive has some Albert:

https://archive.org/details/cd_koetsier-novak-feld-albert-compositions_jan-koetsier-jan-novak-jindrich-feld-karel/disc1/05.+Karel+Albert+-+Dansende+Beeldekens+-+II.flac

https://archive.org/details/cd_koetsier-albert-hoof-jongen-compositions_jan-koetsier-karel-albert-jef-van-hoof-leo/disc1/03.+Karel+Albert+-+The+Animals'+Play%2C+Suite+For+Orch..flac

https://archive.org/details/cd_haba-ostijn-albert-rossum-compositions_alois-haba-willy-ostijn-karel-albert-frede/disc1/03.+Karel+Albert+-+Flemish+Suite+For+Orch..flac

https://archive.org/details/cd_krol-albert-henkemans-thomas-flothuis-comp_bernard-krol-karel-albert-hans-henkemans-k/disc1/02.+Karel+Albert+-+Julius+Caesar+Overture.flac

https://archive.org/details/cd_chevreville-vermeulen-albert-absil-tansman_raymond-chevreville-matthias-vermeulen-kar/disc1/03.+Karel+Albert+-+Mariekenvan+Nymegen+Overture.flac

A lot of thanks!

Interesting!
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/210600961.pdf

It seems to me that no one has yet quoted Adolphe Biarent, Walloon composer born in 1871 and died in 1916.

Member of the Walloon School, Biarent received his musical education at the conservatories of Brussels and Ghent, then became a professor at the Music Academy of Charleroi, where he remained until his death.

Completely devoted to his duties as a teacher, he devoted himself relatively little to composition.

His work includes a few melodies, pieces for piano (Preludes "Middle Ages"), a little chamber music (Quintet for piano and strings, sonata for cello and piano) and above all a dozen symphonic works, including:

Walloon Rhapsody for piano and orchestra
Heroic poem for large orchestra
Symphony in D minor
Trenmor, symphonic poem
Tale of the Orient, suite
Sonnets for cello and orchestra


(https://www.amazon.fr/Adolphe-Biarent-Symphonic-Works/dp/B000028BFT)

Over the years, Biarent has been mentioned positively a few times - both for chamber music and orchestral rarities....
Popular??? I doubt it! And not much has been (re-)recorded.

October 23, 2013

Adolphe Biarrent may appeal to lovers of Franck and d'Indy/


From Wiki:

Adolphe Biarent (16 October 1871 – 4 February 1916) was a Belgian composer, conductor, cellist and music teacher.
Biarent studied at the conservatories of Brussels and of Ghent, and was a pupil of Émile Mathieu. He won a Belgian Prix de Rome with his cantata Oedipe à Colone in 1901, after which he remained near his home in Charleroi, composing, conducting and teaching (or more accurately, engaging in pedagogy, for example the writing of manuals as well) (in which subject he had, for teacher, Fernand Quinet [1]).[2]
Although still little known now, Biarent composed music that successfully combines "the structural solidity" of César Franck and Vincent d'Indy with "something of the orchestral brilliance and clarity" of Emmanuel Chabrier.

His "Contes d'orient" is a substantial orchestral fantasy – think of Sheherazade meets Cesar Franck.
"Le réveil d'un dieu" for cello and orchestra is based on a (grandly pompous) poem by José-Maria de Hérédia :

La chevelure éparse et la gorge meurtrie,
Irritant par les pleurs l'ivresse de leurs sens,
Les femmes de Byblos, en lugubres accents,
Mènent la funéraire et lente théorie.

Car sur le lit jonché d'anémone fleurie
Où la Mort avait clos ses longs yeux languissants,
Repose, parfumé d'aromate et d'encens,
Le jeune homme adoré des vierges de Syrie.

Jusqu'à l'aurore ainsi le choeur s'est lamenté,
Mais voici qu'il s'éveille à l'appel d'Astarté,
L'Epoux mystérieux que le cinname arrose.

Il est ressuscité, l'antique adolescent !
Et le ciel tout en fleur semble une immense rose
Qu'un Adonis céleste a teinte de son sang.

With disheveled hair and bruised throat,
Irritating with tears the intoxication of their senses,
The women of Byblos, in lugubrious accents,
Lead the funeral and slow theory.

Because on the bed strewn with flowering anemone
Where Death had closed his long, languid eyes,
Rests, perfumed with herbs and incense,
The young man adored by the virgins of Syria.

Until dawn the choir thus lamented,
But now he wakes up at Astarte's call,
The mysterious Bridegroom sprinkled with cinnamon.

He is risen, the ancient adolescent!
And the blooming sky looks like a huge rose
That a celestial Adonis has stained with his blood.

Quote from: Roy Bland on April 06, 2023, 05:38:06 PMA lot of thanks!

Interesting!
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/210600961.pdf

Thanks for this very interesting article!
Peter

Thanks for your reply, pjme.

There is a CD of symphonic works and a CD of chamber music works.


(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MGXH0PK4L.jpg)


(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ZsRm6PoTL._SL1200_.jpg)

Sinfonie à grand orchestre - "Symphonie fantastique" (1836, inspirée de la symphonie éponyme de Berlioz)

Never heard of Etienne Soubre!

Elder brother of the painter Charles Soubre and father of six children including Charles E. Soubre, Étienne Joseph Soubre entered the Liège Conservatory in 1827, the year of its creation, and studied harmony, counterpoint and fugue there. At eighteen, appointed assistant professor of music theory. In 1841, he won the Belgian Prix de Rome with the cantata Sardanapale. After having travelled, under the rules of the Competition which had granted him a pension of 2,500 francs for four years, he returned to Belgium in 1844 and settled in Brussels where he devoted himself to teaching. He was best known in his day as a choral composer.

His Hymne à Godefroid de Bouillon for choir and orchestra was performed in Antwerp by 1,500 performers from 46 Belgian, German and Dutch lyrical societies on August 19, 1850. For several years, he took over the direction of the Philharmonic Society of Brussels. In 1861, he was appointed by the government as inspector of elementary music courses in middle schools; but the following year, he was called to direct the Liège Conservatory, replacing Louis-Joseph Daussoigne-Méhul.

Quote from: joachim on April 10, 2023, 07:17:49 AMThanks for your reply, pjme.

There is a CD of symphonic works and a CD of chamber music works.

Merci beaucoup Joachim.

Are there other composers you particularly like?

Beautiful Biarent's orientalist piece
TNX

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODYxMzkwMi4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NTM2OTQ3OTR9)

Quote from: pjme on April 10, 2023, 10:07:53 AMMerci beaucoup Joachim.

Are there other composers you particularly like?

To stay with the post romantics of Belgium, besides Biarent, I like Peter Benoit, Joseph Jongen (and his brother Léon Jongen), Marcel Poot, a little Marcel Quinet.

Nevertheless, I still prefer the "real" romantics (Vieuxtemps or Beriot for example, and Fetis), and also the Classics like Van Maldere, Loeillet, Croes...

It seems interesting

http://www.cadenza-cd.com/txt/OPL50.pdf

Indeed - more than just interesting :) .

(https://tyqmusic.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/5412217076504-back.jpg)

(https://www.europadisc.co.uk/images/products-190/1294694848_CYP7650.jpg)

This very big box assembles many cds that have been issued before. alas - OOP.

Unusual is, I think, the inclusion of the ballet 'Ulenspiegel" by Willem Kersters, which was available for a short time as an LP.

(https://www.deslegte.com/images/cached/resample/jpg/data/uploads/300/299/cms_visual_1527259.jpg_1608111793000_300x299.jpg)

I bought most of the cds I wanted (Jongen, Souris, Tournemire...) many years ago.

I do like Kersters music - dramatic, intense,sad.... Not much is available.


Symphony nr 2



" In the 1960s, after a thorough study of the dodecaphonic system, he switched to a serial style, incorporating his theory of tritone relationships. His First and Second Symphonies (1963 and 1964), the Plechtige Ouverture (Solemn Overture) (1963) and Concertmuziek (1964) were the results of this new approach. The four-movement First Symphony is based on four series (one per movement). The Adagio can be seen as a broadly spun-out slow introduction; the two main themes of the Allegro molto are clearly identifiable and a climax is reached on the name BACH; the Adagio is, in terms of form, inspired by an ornamented chorale; the Finale is based on a simple rondo form.

In the second half of the 1960s, Kersters developed the "tonality of the twelve-tone scale", meaning that the tonal and the atonal principle were interwoven. The first application of this system was the Third Symphony (1967). Anything usable, both from the past and from contemporary musical language, was organically integrated into this new idiom. In a work such as Three Preludes (1971) there is hardly a trace left of traditional thematic development. The percussion is given an ever more important role, functioning as a colour element, in such works as Capriccio (1972), or it is used as an independent instrumental group, as in Anaglyphos (1969), with its surprising and absorbing sound combinations."

https://matrix-new-music.be/en/publications/flemish-composers-database/kersters-willem/

Perhaps useful
https://www.operanostalgia.be/

(https://i.discogs.com/jB0p-4c0yCyhaQ_nxs4QhZ9e0bNorfSkQkeRsqv9g70/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:501/w:500/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTk4MDUw/ODYtMTQ4NjU4NTEw/My01NzUwLmpwZWc.jpeg)

https://www.kunsten.be/en/now-in-the-arts/essay-toonaangevende-vrouwen-componistes-in-vlaanderen/

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on December 16, 2022, 09:53:54 AMMarsick sounded good in Youtube. I will look for the recording.

You may buy it here
https://www.musiwall.uliege.be/product/armand-marsick/

(https://assets.mmsrg.com/isr/166325/c1/-/pixelboxx-mss-56056762/fee_786_587_png)

On belgian music
https://creationmusicale.be/fr/actualites

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODI2MDY0Ny4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE2MjYxODE3MzR9)

Perhaps also this
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nHFJdo3vL._SL1252_.jpg)

he isn't late romantic but quite conservative

http://www.robertjanssens.be/411393570.html

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31CndJFdnZL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)

(https://i.discogs.com/vjfSoRhm-AviQVgisC1DNu85jyf4wdLXZQeHocPTu7w/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:463/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTI1NDQw/MDQzLTE2OTEyMTMz/MzAtNzk2Mi5qcGVn.jpeg)

(https://i.discogs.com/mtauzrZg484vqq_6z203UEao0xFYAv91aakIPQVYjWY/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:594/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTIwNDgw/NjctMTY0MzM2NjQ1/My0xNzIyLmpwZWc.jpeg)
(https://d2j6dbq0eux0bg.cloudfront.net/images/2058596/2782049913.jpg)

Absil IMHO isn't late romantic however
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71m6v2dDgmL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)

(https://forgottenrecords.com/data/covers/jongen-absil-del-pueyo-dumortier-quinet-front.jpg)

Quote from: Roy Bland on November 04, 2023, 08:00:56 PM(https://forgottenrecords.com/data/covers/jongen-absil-del-pueyo-dumortier-quinet-front.jpg)

The two works by Jongen interest me. However, I found the Piano Concerto on another disc:

(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/9.80132.jpg)

Another forgotten composer, another old recording....


This 1950 work has its moments (the ending of the first movement) and - of course - the entrance of the organ in the last movement ... stylistically its a real hotchpot: a little bit of Saint Saens, a pinch of Hindemith, Franck, ...snippets of Janacek or Chostakovich and a little snuff of Bartok...
yet, I think this would go down well in a large concerthall  :)

The sentimental paintings are far too sweet for this "heavy" music.
I'd opt for some Permeke:

(https://www.codart.nl/images/PermekeSjees1926OostendePMMK.jpg)

While preparing the evening meal, doing some household chores and looking at the grey, windswept skies, I listen to old recordings of Belgian music. Some of them I've known all my life (thanks to the library), some have been "rescued" from long forgotten radio broadcasts (I used to write to the BRT archive).
Anyway, Flor Peeters is mainly known as an organist and still enjoys some attention.
Here is his pianoconcerto in two versions: piano/orchestra and piano/organ. Rather fun!


Eugène Traeys piano should have had a decent tuning....and the recording is drab...Still, there are some snappy rythms, catchy tunes and a dreamy arioso...


Mats Jansons piano sounds good the recording is excellent. The two other movements are also on YT.

Peeters massive, impressive (ca 40 mins.) concerto for organ and large orchestra was recorded for KLARA.
https://youtu.be/ho2pnslHMZA?si=k0C8HGcdhhSOhiKP

(https://i.discogs.com/2Y-doriDRrUJpC9QABZExhhCcI5UCCDd0fok5TZr4Wc/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:426/w:425/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTg2NDYz/MTctMTUxNDI4Nzk3/OS02NTgyLmpwZWc.jpeg)

There's a thing I don't understand, in Belgium there are lots of record labels that release 4 or 5 records and then disappear

Re: Absil - yes, music scholarship doesn't describe him as a late Romantic:

In his earliest works Absil was clearly under the influence of his teachers: the Rhapsodie flamande, for example, is in the Gilson tradition. With La mort de Tintagiles, however, he sought a more individual manner, but his style was formed in the chamber music that he wrote after 1934. This style is essentially polyphonic and polymodal, with different modes used in each work, although there is a predilection for intervals of an augmented 4th and a diminished octave. Changes in metre and irrational divisions are frequent; sometimes there are superimpositions of triple and binary metres, or of differently divided gruppettos, so producing characteristically vigorous effects. Often cast in variation or other conventional forms, Absil's music has great structural clarity. An evolution took place after 1938 when he attempted to make his work more accessible, but without removing its distinctiveness. From drama and ruggedness his music turned to settled charm. He followed Bartók, whose work he much admired, in studying, from 1943, the peasant music of Romania and other countries, and several of his works use folk or folk-like themes. But in 1963 Absil appeared to stop making concessions to public taste and devoted his efforts almost exclusively to instrumental music.

Quote from: pjme on November 07, 2023, 06:58:07 AMAnother forgotten composer, another old recording....

This 1950 work has its moments (the ending of the first movement) and - of course - the entrance of the organ in the last movement ... stylistically its a real hotchpot: a little bit of Saint Saens, a pinch of Hindemith, Franck, ...snippets of Janacek or Chostakovich and a little snuff of Bartok...
yet, I think this would go down well in a large concerthall  :)

The sentimental paintings are far too sweet for this "heavy" music.
I'd opt for some Permeke:

(https://www.codart.nl/images/PermekeSjees1926OostendePMMK.jpg)

Thanks - I like the sound of this symphony.

Quote from: vandermolen on November 13, 2023, 11:44:59 PMI like the sound of this symphony.

OK - and that in spite of the congested sound of these DECCA Lps!  :)
Here is some Jean Absil in a nice recording:


Sweet - a bit like Poulenc, Milhaud, Falla and Jean Françaix .

Quote from: Roy Bland on November 13, 2023, 05:40:27 PMThere's a thing I don't understand, in Belgium there are lots of record labels that release 4 or 5 records and then disappear

There's only a small handful of people who buy them.... :'(

The Belgian governments do very little to promote classical music. HIP ensembles (Lionel Meunier/Vox Luminis, La petite bande, Ratas del viego mundo/Floris De Rycker, Huelgas, Collegium Vocale, Il Fondamento, Graindelavoix....) do often well for a long time but aren't spared either.

https://www.kunsten.be/en/now-in-the-arts/perspectieven-op-de-oude-muzieksector-in-vlaanderen/

The Antwerp Philharmonic/now Antwerp symphony Orchesta, tried to launch its own lable and promised to issue cd's with Belgo/Flemish repertoire, but that initiative seems to have ended after a couple of cds.
Luc Famaey's Phaedra label is now part of Dutch music Works. I don't know if new recordings are planned.

The future isn't bright (and has never been) for performances of (any classical) Belgian music.

Quote from: pjme on November 14, 2023, 07:31:09 AMThere's only a small handful of people who buy them.... :'(

The Belgian governments do very little to promote classical music. HIP ensembles (Lionel Meunier/Vox Luminis, La petite bande, Ratas del viego mundo/Floris De Rycker, Huelgas, Collegium Vocale, Il Fondamento, Graindelavoix....) do often well for a long time but aren't spared either.

https://www.kunsten.be/en/now-in-the-arts/perspectieven-op-de-oude-muzieksector-in-vlaanderen/

The Antwerp Philharmonic/now Antwerp symphony Orchesta, tried to launch its own lable and promised to issue cd's with Belgo/Flemish repertoire, but that initiative seems to have ended after a couple of cds.
Luc Famaey's Phaedra label is now part of Dutch music Works. I don't know if new recordings are planned.

The future isn't bright (and has never been) for performances of (any classical) Belgian music.

mine obviously wasn't a negative opinion with us the situation is even worse than four radio and television orchestras there is one left and the only modern composer not unknown to the public is Allevi .For instance they make a great work https://www.facebook.com/RoyalSymphonicBandoftheBelgianGuides/

Quote from: Roy Bland on November 15, 2023, 05:39:37 PMthe only modern composer not unknown to the public is Allevi

Oh dear, Giovanni Allevi, that's very much in the simplistic-sentimental-quasi-neo-romantic -repetitive-tintinabulistic-tingel-tangel- Einaudi way....hopelessly dreadful to my ears. ;D

I must quickly clean those ears :)


 

Quote from: pjme on November 16, 2023, 01:56:10 AMOh dear, Giovanni Allevi, that's very much in the simplistic-sentimental-quasi-neo-romantic -repetitive-tintinabulistic-tingel-tangel- Einaudi way....hopelessly dreadful to my ears. ;D

I must quickly clean my ears

I  agree that  moment is negative , this is what the contemporary scene offers but we're going OT
some evaluations which do not necessarily reflect my personal opinions

https://www.hashtagmagazine.it/perche-la-liberazione-dalla-musica-brutta-salvera-il-mondo/

https://loccidentale.it/la-musica-contemporanea-e-brutta/

https://www.radioromalibera.org/la-musica-contemporanea-deve-essere-brutta/amp/

https://criticaimpura.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/musica-bella-e-musica-brutta-una-riflessione-di-lorenzo-leone/

https://www.giornaledellamusica.it/articoli/ecosistema-contemporaneo

Quote from: pjme on November 13, 2023, 07:40:55 AMWhile preparing the evening meal, doing some household chores and looking at the grey, windswept skies, I listen to old recordings of Belgian music. Some of them I've known all my life (thanks to the library), some have been "rescued" from long forgotten radio broadcasts (I used to write to the BRT archive).
Anyway, Flor Peeters is mainly known as an organist and still enjoys some attention.
Here is his pianoconcerto in two versions: piano/orchestra and piano/organ. Rather fun!

Eugène Traeys piano should have had a decent tuning....and the recording is drab...Still, there are some snappy rythms, catchy tunes and a dreamy arioso...

Mats Jansons piano sounds good the recording is excellent. The two other movements are also on YT.

Peeters massive, impressive (ca 40 mins.) concerto for organ and large orchestra was recorded for KLARA.
https://youtu.be/ho2pnslHMZA?si=k0C8HGcdhhSOhiKP

I'll have to check them out!

And, wow, the radio station shared recordings with you?!  How did that come about?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 16, 2023, 09:50:33 AMAnd, wow, the radio station shared recordings with you?!  How did that come about?

Several broadcasting stations - at least (then BRTN) now VRT (Flemish radio&TV) , France Musique, and RTBF (Radio Télévison Belge), had programs "From the archives" and (ca 1970-1985) one just had to write a letter and ask for a certain work to be re-broadcast. Not everything was possible (copyright) but many recordings by the BRT (and/or RTB) orchestras (then : a large symphony orchestra, a chamber orchestra, a jazz orchestra and a "broadcasting" /Big band /concert - like orchestra, and a chorus!) would be broadcast again - late at night.
I bought a good Uher taperecorder and recorded loads of rare repertoire which I did share with a friend in NY.
Probably other European stations (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark?) had similar programs , but I corresponded only with the Belgians and French.

Apart from that the history of the Belgian radio orchestras is complicated . A couple of years ago I tried to reconstruct its "agony" ;) ...(I may have posted this here before...):

"Belgium is a bilingual country. Today even, with a very small German speaking community, officialy trilingual. I'll spare you the more complicated details. Read more at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Belgium#Postwar_Belgium (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Belgium#Postwar_Belgium)
In 1930 Belgian National Radio becomes a (bilingual) reality. The N.I.R. /I.N.R. is created: the National Institute for Radio broadcasting /  Institut national de radiodiffusion.
The BBC serves as a model.
From Februari  1931 three conductors are installed: Franz André, Jean Kumps and Arthur Meulemans. Apparently, Désiré Defauw (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9_Defauw) (also actif in Chicago) acts as "artistic advisor" .
Three orchestras are formed: a Symphony Orchestra, a Radio Orchestra and  the "Klein Orkest", a small orchestra.
After many problems, changes and quarrels a Large Symphony Orchestra of the N.I.R.-I.N.R. is created in 1935 , with Franz André as conductor.
Inspired by Paul Collaer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Collaer) the Large S.O. expands its repertoire and performs numerous contemporary compositions: Krenek, Malipiero, Milhaud, Bartok, Schönberg, Hindemith, Stravinsky, Koechlin. And, of course, many works by Belgian composers: Marcel Poot, Arthur Meulemans, Paul Gilson, August Baeyens, Karel Albert, Karel Candael, Michel Brusselmans, Jef Van Hoof, Edgard Tinel, Jules Strens etc.
Franz André retires in 1958, but conducts regularly as guest.
In 1960 the broadcasting institute is split and the stations become respectively BRT and RTB ( Belgian Radio and TV / Radio et Tv Belge).
In 1957 Daniel Sternefeld becomes chief conductor of the  (combined) BRT-RTB Groot Symfonisch Orkest (Grand Orchestre Symphonique de la RTB-BRT). He remains  untill 1971. He is followed by Irwin Hoffman [1973-76].
The Large Orchestra is split.
In 1977 RTB becomes RTBF (F= Français). The Nouvel Orchestre Symphonique de la RTBF is created. Edgard Doneux is chief conductor. In 1984 this orchestra is renamed Orchestre Symphonique de la RTBF and Alfred Walter becomes chief.
In 1978 the BRT orchestra is renamed as BRT Filharmonisch Orkest.
In 1988 Alexander Rahbari becomes chief –conductor.
In 1991 BRT becomes BRTN (N= Nederlands= Flemish) In 1997 BRTN becomes VRT, Vlaamse Radio en Televisieomroep.
Also in 1991 the Orchestre Symphonique de la RTBF is definitively dismantled.
Frank Shipway is director from 1991 till 1999.
In 1998 the BRTN orchestra is renamed as Vlaams Omroeporkest (VRO / Flemish Broadcasting Orchestra) and Yoel Levi becomes its chief conductor.
In that same year the orchestra is detached from the broadcasting organisation and restarts –in 2008 - as Brussels Philharmonic. Michel Tabachnik is followed by Stéphane Denève."

Since 2022 Kazushi Ono is director / "chef permanent".

Brussels Philharmonic (https://www.brusselsphilharmonic.be/nl/muziekdirecteur)

Nouvel Orchestre de la RTBF / Edgard Doneux.

François Joseph Fétis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois-Joseph_F%C3%A9tis)

Some cobtributions
https://interlude.hk/who-were-the-brussels-seven/

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(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91a1o1GR3xL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)

(https://laboiteamusique.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/0747313913572-back.jpg)

Quote from: pjme on November 22, 2023, 06:16:47 AM(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91a1o1GR3xL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)

(https://laboiteamusique.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/0747313913572-back.jpg)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1313171002893476/?ref=newsfeed&locale=it_IT

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RE: Royal Belgian Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band

Thanks for the heads up on this.
I grabbed it - good Band music.  :)
Several unknown composers which is great (when they are good.)

Quote from: Roy Bland on November 23, 2023, 09:44:07 PM(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiOTU0ODU1OC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE2OTk4OTM3ODB9)

Not exactly "late romantic - but definitely not "avant garde".

"Tonality in music fulfils a uniting role like gravity in everyday life, whereas atonality belongs more to the realm of space travel." This metaphor, which Peter Cabus used in a 1993 lecture on his second symphony, is typical of the vision that he developed concerning the musical world around him and the history of music in which he had carved out a place for himself. Cabus was primarily a classicist, a man with great respect for the composers who preceded him. For him, Brahms and Beethoven were still highly relevant. "

https://matrix-new-music.be/en/publications/flemish-composers-database/cabus-peter/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwtmoS9V3Qc
Echoes of Frank Martin and Bela Bartok.

Cabus "Sinfonia concertante for harpsichord, piano and chamber orchestra on Remus Platen impenetrable Olympus of rare music...

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiOTU5Mjc4Ni4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwid2VicCI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0Ijoid2VicCJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE3MDU0OTg3NzJ9)

Eugène Ysayë's Ouverture sur des thèmes d'Atala (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atala_(novella)) (1919)

https://www.kbr.be/en/agenda/ysaye-rediscovered-international-study-day/

BELGIAN MUSIC DAYS (https://www.belgianmusicdays.be/program/): February 15th / Brussels

Wim Henderickx, Le visioni di paura (Visions of Fear)
Apolline Jesupret, Bleue, tableau symphonique (World Premiere, commissioned by Ars Musica)
Eugène Ysaÿe, Ouverture sur des thèmes d'Atala (European Premiere) (with chorus)
Jacqueline Fontyn, Piano Concerto "Rivages solitaires"
Kris Defoort, Human Voices Only



This fourth edition of the Belgian Music Days, a biennial festival dedicated to Belgian composers, starts with Le visioni di paura ("Visions of Fear") by this season's composer Wim Henderickx. For this composition, he drew inspiration from a painting by Hieronymus Bosch, and was influenced by the outbreak of the Gulf War in the summer of 1990. The new work that will be presented in world premiere next is currently being written by the promising young pianist and composer Apolline Jesupret. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Mons.

In early 2023, as part of a collaboration with the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR), a manuscript by the famous Belgian violinist and composer Eugène Ysaÿe containing the Ouverture sur des thèmes d'Atala was discovered in the Bozar archives. Eugène Ysaÿe composed this work in 1919 as a tribute to his late brother Théo, a pianist and composer, inspired by a cantata the latter had dedicated to him in 1892. The work was performed only once - in Cincinnati in 1920, conducted by the composer - and will receive its European premiere at this concert. In partnership with Bozar, KBR is organising a study day dedicated to the Ysaÿe brothers prior to the concert.

Human voices only, written in 2014, is the first orchestral work by Belgian composer and avant-garde jazz pianist Kris Defoort. He found the inspiration for this work in Morocco. With numerous references to early 20th century composers such as Debussy, Ravel, Satie and Stravinsky, Kris Defoort allows the instruments of the orchestra to play through the various facets of the human voice, evoking a never-ending Arabic melody. The concert will conclude with pianist Jan Michiels performing a short piano concerto by one of Belgium's greatest composers, Jacqueline Fontyn. She wrote Rivages Solitaires ("Lonely Banks") in 1989.


Jac van Steen, conductor
Jan Michiels, piano
Chœur de l'IMEP (Institut royal supérieur de musique et de pédagogie de Namur)

Ysayë and Cincinnatti:


In 1917, Eugène Ysaÿe left for America for what he thought would be a new tour across the Atlantic. In April of the same year, the United States entered the war and Ysaÿe found himself stranded. He remained in America for two and a half years, during which the death of his younger brother, Théo Ysaÿe, occurred.

In 1920, Eugène Ysaÿe, who then became director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, planned the creation of a work, entitled Ouverture sur des themes d'Atala, which he composed based on themes from a youth cantata written by his brother Théo Ysaÿe. Everything suggests that this Overture was only performed once, in 1920 in Cincinnati, no other performance having been recorded. And as Marie Cornaz points out in the report below, the manuscript found in the Bozar archives was, most likely, used during the creation of the work, on May 6, 1920.

Quote from: pjme on February 14, 2024, 09:42:53 AMOuverture sur des themes d'Atala, which he composed based on themes from a youth cantata written by his brother Théo Ysaÿe. Everything suggests that this Overture was only performed once, in 1920 in Cincinnati, no other performance having been recorded.

Alas, tonights concert will NOT be broadcast. A cd MAY be issued ...later....

IT
https://koregos.org/fr/christophe-pirenne-introduction-histoire-musique-belgique-durant-premiere-guerre-mondiale/

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https://www.persee.fr/doc/barb_0378-0716_1946_num_28_1_51982

https://dial.uclouvain.be/memoire/ucl/fr/object/thesis%3A12064/datastream/PDF_01/view

Feldbusch? Violin Concerto
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