I didn't know much about this composer except the lyrical 'Sweet Psalmist of Israel' coupled with Bloch's 'Sacred Service' (Bernstein) on an old Sony double CD set - but I just bought a great new CPO CD with his Symphony No 1 (1940). Ben Haim was born Paul Frankenburger in Munich and fled when the Nazis took over ( he'd briefly been Bruno Walter's assistant at the Munich Opera) and settled in Palestine, changing his name.
The Symphony No 1 is unsurprisingly troubled and stormy - rather moving in its historical context. It is a little like Mahler meets Bloch, Respighi and Miklos Rozsa. The other works on the CD are excellent too. I thought that the 'Fanfare to Israel' did not sound promising, but it features a very moving, redemptive hymn which I found very affecting. Here it is on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95CEdr2bq2g
The 'Symphonic Metamorphoses on Bach Chorale' also features some eloquent lyrical sequences. Altogether an excellent CD.
Thanks for the recommendation, Jeffrey.
I was wondering whether to get this disc :)
Quote from: Dundonnell on September 06, 2011, 03:08:22 PM
Thanks for the recommendation, Jeffrey.
I was wondering whether to get this disc :)
I think you'd like it Colin - I keep wanting to play it - which is a good sign I think! All three works are appealing and I can play the CD right through with much pleasure. The Fanfare was the biggest surprise - I was expecting something like 'Fanfare for the Common Man', but this is much more reflective and I found it deeply moving.
Fanfare for the Common Man? That's by Pans People,isn't it?!!!
Just discovered Ben Haim's Symphony No 2. Reminds me a bit of a Bloch/Rozsa/Vaughan Williams synthesis - very enjoyable.
Glad my Ben Haim thread has been a Roman Triumph ;D
a nice early piano sonata and a violin concerto too ...
Quote from: DieNacht on June 06, 2012, 03:11:22 AM
a nice early piano sonata and a violin concerto too ...
Thanks - will look out for them.
My recording of the piano sonata is an old mono LP with Pressler. I already have a simple mp3 transfer, in case you don´t find it otherwise.
Quote from: DieNacht on June 06, 2012, 04:12:06 AM
My recording of the piano sonata is an old mono LP with Pressler. I already have a simple mp3 transfer, in case you don´t find it otherwise.
Many thanks - kind of you.
He had a short very beautiful and effective solo violin sonata. I've it by no less than Francescatti (!) A curiosity than a French catholic choose a Jewish folk work to play, and a fantastic play it was.
Quote from: vandermolen on June 06, 2012, 02:26:19 AM
Just discovered Ben Haim's Symphony No 2. Reminds me a bit of a Bloch/Rozsa/Vaughan Williams synthesis - very enjoyable. Glad my Ben Haim thread has been a Roman Triumph ;D
The Second was the one that I taped around 1978, and liked a lot - but didn't hear since then. You're not referring to a recent cd release, are you? :-\
Quote from: carlos on June 06, 2012, 04:17:46 AM
He had a short very beautiful and effective solo violin sonata. I've it by no less than Francescatti (!) A curiosity than a French catholic choose a Jewish folk work to play, and a fantastic play it was.
I have the Solo Violin Sonata on the Hyperion release of Bloch's Violin Music. It has a nice 'sotto voce' slow movement. There's also a String Quartet I haven't heard.
Don't have that record, but Shahan is a fantastic violinist. He had complete Hubay's "Scenes de la Czarda" and other pieces on a double that's a real gem.
Quote from: snyprrr on June 06, 2012, 06:50:48 AM
I have the Solo Violin Sonata on the Hyperion release of Bloch's Violin Music. It has a nice 'sotto voce' slow movement. There's also a String Quartet I haven't heard.
This is that disk, Carlos;
[asin]B000LV6CKK[/asin]
IIRC, I was the one who rec'd it to Snips, although that was for the Bloch (still stand by that!). Good disk.
8)
Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on June 06, 2012, 07:31:34 AM
This is that disk, Carlos;
[asin]B000LV6CKK[/asin]
IIRC, I was the one who rec'd it to Snips, although that was for the Bloch (still stand by that!). Good disk.
8)
Just revisited the three Ben'Haim tracks. The 'sotto voce' part still sticks out like a beautiful sore thumb: he really plays that dynamic well! I still don't see these pieces much divorced from this particular album. They HAVE to be HERE on THIS album alone!, especially after the two Bloch Solo Violin Suites. Some Composers were just meant to be prime 'filler'.
Thanks again G.!
Quote from: Christo on June 06, 2012, 05:49:55 AM
The Second was the one that I taped around 1978, and liked a lot - but didn't hear since then. You're not referring to a recent cd release, are you? :-\
No Johan, but I recently downloaded a new performance (Botstein) - an added feature of this live performance is a massive sneeze by a member of the audience during a very quiet passage, followed by someone (Botstein?) shouting 'COVER YOUR MOUTH' very angrily. I have a CD with the RPO performing it, but this is an old one.
Rather tempted by this well reviewed disc:
[asin]B00CLFYWF6[/asin]
Quote from: vandermolen on May 27, 2014, 09:50:21 AM
Rather tempted by this well reviewed disc:
[asin]B00CLFYWF6[/asin]
well, it is not as if there is a plethora of recordings to pick from, so yes, get it. But I was more impressed by the disc of string quartets and allied music Toccata released a few months ago, so I would say get that first.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on May 27, 2014, 06:42:54 PM
well, it is not as if there is a plethora of recordings to pick from, so yes, get it. But I was more impressed by the disc of string quartets and allied music Toccata released a few months ago, so I would say get that first.
I strongly second that (in fact I think I said the same thing in the listening thread).
Thanks very much for the Toccata recommendations. I had already ordered the Chandos before I read the posts so will see how I get on with that and order the Toccata CD at a later date.
I find him a composer very much in line with my tastes, his First Symphony is wonderful and I've just downloaded his second.
The composer he most reminds me of is Walton.
Just finished listening to no.2, even better than no.1, there's so much in it, I'll have to listen to it several more times.
The only reason for posting about it now is to say don't be put off by the reports of shouting in the middle. What happens is that in the slow movement there are there usual bronchial offenders and after the music has stopped someone shouts 'Cover your mouth'. It sounds like a young man, so it might be an orchestral player. But whoever it was waited until after the music stopped to avoid ruining the recording, only the silly sound engineers left it, followed by another ten seconds of rustling, coughing and other audience noises. Naturally you will do what I am just doing, removing these few seconds from the track.
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on May 30, 2014, 10:28:22 PM
Just finished listening to no.2, even better than no.1, there's so much in it, I'll have to listen to it several more times.
The only reason for posting about it now is to say don't be put off by the reports of shouting in the middle. What happens is that in the slow movement there are there usual bronchial offenders and after the music has stopped someone shouts 'Cover your mouth'. It sounds like a young man, so it might be an orchestral player. But whoever it was waited until after the music stopped to avoid ruining the recording, only the silly sound engineers left it, followed by another ten seconds of rustling, coughing and other audience noises. Naturally you will do what I am just doing, removing these few seconds from the track.
Interesting points and the Walton connection is one that I had not made before, although Bloch came to mind. I have the 'cover you mouth' download of Symphony 2 but mainly listed to an old CD of the work conducted by Kenneth Alwyn. I am inclined to agree that Symphony No. 2 is even better than the very fine No. 1 and hope that CPO will go on to record it. The Chandos CD of the chamber music arrived today and I am currently very much enjoying the rather moving in the circumstances 'Two Landscapes' from 1939. I am glad to have discovered this composer and thanks for the responses.
The Canzonetta from Five Pieces for Piano (1944) is really beautiful and poignant. It is included on the new Chandos CD of Ben Haim's chamber music. I found a fine performance on You Tube:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rUyVvK5nZ1Q
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on May 30, 2014, 10:28:22 PM
What happens is that in the slow movement there are there usual bronchial offenders and after the music has stopped someone shouts 'Cover your mouth'.
At least it wasn't "Deutschland über alles, Herr Schuricht"
I haven't quite assimilated Symphony No. 2 yet. I'll have to give it another listen today. I can highly recommend the Cpo disc of No. 1.
....listened. I didn't hear any odd noises on my Stradivari CD (or, rather, my rip of it). The music is more high profile than Symphony 1. The sound is quite good, though not up to 21st century digital standards of clarity.
I'll note that Itzak Perlman recorded a Ben-Haim concerto. Haven't heard it, but went ahead and ordered a copy from Amazon Marketplace.
Quote from: vandermolen on June 07, 2012, 04:14:30 AMNo Johan, but I recently downloaded a new performance (Botstein) - an added feature of this live performance is a massive sneeze by a member of the audience during a very quiet passage, followed by someone (Botstein?) shouting 'COVER YOUR MOUTH' very angrily. I have a CD with the RPO performing it, but this is an old one.
Found it on Spotify, with sneeze & angry shout and all :D (af the end of the third movement). Am enjoying it a lot; it's even better than I remembered it.
BTW, does anyone know how to embed music from Spotify? These are the codes:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0yjphA2xXo4dC6n2Xakpxf
spotify:album:0yjphA2xXo4dC6n2Xakpxf
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0yjphA2xXo4dC6n2Xakpxf" width="300" height="380" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>
Now you can get Symphony 2 without the sneezing outburst (see above).
New release:
[asin]B06XCSR14X[/asin]
I greatly enjoyed the earlier CPO release featuring Symphony 1:
[asin]B005H8APRI[/asin]
I like the cover art on both CDs.
Quote from: vandermolen on July 13, 2017, 07:35:16 AM
Now you can get Symphony 2 without the sneezing outburst (see above).
New release:
[asin]B06XCSR14X[/asin]
I greatly enjoyed the earlier CPO release featuring Symphony 1:
[asin]B005H8APRI[/asin]
I like the cover art on both CDs.
Have both. After a first listen, I found I prefer the Concerto Grosso to the Second Symphony, and probably prefer the First Symphony to both.
BTW, the cover art for the First Symphony depicts this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiddush_levana
As far as I know, BenHaim was not particularly religious, so the image is not really illustrative of the music (other than depicting a group of Jews in Israel).
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 13, 2017, 10:48:59 AM
Have both. After a first listen, I found I prefer the Concerto Grosso to the Second Symphony, and probably prefer the First Symphony to both.
BTW, the cover art for the First Symphony depicts this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiddush_levana
As far as I know, BenHaim was not particularly religious, so the image is not really illustrative of the music (other than depicting a group of Jews in Israel).
Thank you Jeffrey. I look forward to hearing the Concerto Grosso. I like the paintings on both CDs which are very atmospheric.
Many thanks for the Ben-Haim alert. Found it on Spotify - just arrived in Cyprus - and am playing the Second Symphony now. Ever since I first heard it in 1980, I've been very impressed. It is my favourite Ben-Haim and one of the great symphonies of those extremely troubled years, the 1940s. Find it very moving and recommend it whole-heartedly.
Quote from: Christo on July 14, 2017, 12:41:19 PM
Many thanks for the Ben-Haim alert. Found it on Spotify - just arrived in Cyprus - and am playing the Second Symphony now. Ever since I first heard it in 1980, I've been very impressed. It is my favourite Ben-Haim and one of the great symphonies of those extremely troubled years, the 1940s. Find it very moving and recommend it whole-heartedly.
I remembered that you liked it. I hope to be able to smuggle the CD into the house on Monday. Hope all goes well in Cyprus.
8)
I gave the CPO recording of the Second Symphony/Concerto Grosso a new listen, and found myself liking the symphony more than I did the first time.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 14, 2017, 05:58:05 PM
I gave the CPO recording of the Second Symphony/Concerto Grosso a new listen, and found myself liking the symphony more than I did the first time.
Good to hear. Looking forward to receiving it.
This btw is the full painting used for the cover art, by Boris Borvine Frenkel.
(http://www.akg-images.de/Docs/AKG/Media/TR5/6/3/7/5/AKG237159.jpg)
Painter was a Polish Jew who lived most of his adult life in France. To find him with Google, I needed to use his full name.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 15, 2017, 10:32:56 AM
This btw is the full painting used for the cover art, by Boris Borvine Frenkel.
(http://www.akg-images.de/Docs/AKG/Media/TR5/6/3/7/5/AKG237159.jpg)
Painter was a Polish Jew who lived most of his adult life in France. To find him with Google, I needed to use his full name.
Thank you Jeffrey. That is really interesting to know. Here is a bit about the artist:
http://www.ecoledeparis.org/artists/view/boris_borvine_frenkel
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 15, 2017, 10:32:56 AMThis btw is the full painting used for the cover art, by Boris Borvine Frenkel.
(http://www.akg-images.de/Docs/AKG/Media/TR5/6/3/7/5/AKG237159.jpg)
Painter was a Polish Jew who lived most of his adult life in France. To find him with Google, I needed to use his full name.
The artwork is fine, of course, but not very apt: the Second especially represents what Ben-Haim and Max Brod had coined the 'Mediterranean style'. Central Europe is as far away as Ben-Haim could get it.
Well, the new CPO Ben-Haim CD is one of my best CD purchased of the year (Symphony 2 and Concerto Grosso). I agree with Christopher that Symphony 2 is probably his greatest works although I like Symphony 1 very much also. The Concerto Grosso is a great new discovery. I have two earlier versions of Symphony 2 (RPO, Kenneth Alwyn) and the Leon Botstein download (complete with sneezing episode) but this new recording is the one you have and the fine Concerto Grosso is unique to this recording.
The Concerto Grosso being from 1931, it must have been composed in Germany under his original name of Paul Frankenburger - and indeed it sounds quite distant from the 'Mediterranean' style of the 1945 symphony.
Quote from: Christo on July 18, 2017, 12:06:06 AM
The Concerto Grosso being from 1931, it must have been composed in Germany under his original name of Paul Frankenburger - and indeed it sounds quite distant from the 'Mediterranean' style of the 1945 symphony.
Yes, I agree - both very enjoyable in different ways.
I couldn't ignore so many good commentaries about these symphonies, so I decided played them on Spotify. I was pleasantly surprised, what gratifying works they are! Both of them are valuable, great examples of orchestral handling. The first one is slightly more agressive, the second one is more lyrical, melodically richer. I think my favorite is the 2nd one. I'll try the Concerto grosso some other time.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on July 19, 2017, 01:20:49 PM
I couldn't ignore so many good commentaries about these symphonies, so I decided played them on Spotify. I was pleasantly surprised, what gratifying works they are! Both of them are valuable, great examples of orchestral handling. The first one is slightly more agressive, the second one is more lyrical, melodically richer. I think my favorite is the 2nd one. I'll try the Concerto grosso some other time.
Am glad you enjoyed them. :)
Quote from: vandermolen on July 19, 2017, 01:25:43 PMAm glad you enjoyed them. :)
+1 - especially the Second, such a remarkable and colorful work (also in comparison with the somewhat dry and academic tone of Ben-Haim's later compositions, that I heard on the radio while driving in Israel during the last years).
Something came on the car radio yesterday which I immediately recognised as 'my kind of music'. I couldn't place it at all (Bartok came to mind as a possibility) but had to listen to the end to hear the announcement. Somehow I missed that as well ::). Anyway a check of the BBC Radio 3 Schedules page identified it as Paul Ben-Haim's 'Yizkor' (Evocation) for Violin and Orchesra. I should have recognised the soulful 'Bloch-like' quality to the music. It's on You Tube if you want to hear it. It's from this new release:
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on April 10, 2019, 05:37:58 AM
Something came on the car radio yesterday which I immediately recognised as 'my kind of music'. I couldn't place it at all (Bartok came to mind as a possibility) but had to listen to the end to hear the announcement. Somehow I missed that as well ::). Anyway a check of the BBC Radio 3 Schedules page identified it as Paul Ben-Haim's 'Yizkor' (Evocation) for Violin and Orchesra. I should have recognised the soulful 'Bloch-like' quality to the music. It's on You Tube if you want to hear it. It's from this new release:
(//)
I know his two symphonies (both grandiose) and the String Quintet. All of that was great, so this will be to my liking (I hope so). Thank you for the suggestion. I saw somewhere it's like the Jewish counterpart to VW's
The Lark Ascending.
Also, I found this on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/v/UT6p3LDbLT4
It's an oratorio, which I didn't know so far. Maybe it might be of the interest of you and others.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on April 11, 2019, 03:19:25 PM
I know his two symphonies (both grandiose) and the String Quintet. All of that was great, so this will be to my liking (I hope so). Thank you for the suggestion. I saw somewhere it's like the Jewish counterpart to VW's The Lark Ascending.
Also, I found this on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/v/UT6p3LDbLT4
It's an oratorio, which I didn't know so far. Maybe it might be of the interest of you and others.
I have Joram on CD. I would suggest it only to those that like grandiose late Romantic choral works with large forces and great schmaltz. Think Gurre lieder on steroids. It's the only Ben Haim work I have heard that I do not like, and I think it's not really typical of his output
Quote from: JBS on April 11, 2019, 06:34:20 PM
I have Joram on CD. I would suggest it only to those that like grandiose late Romantic choral works with large forces and great schmaltz. Think Gurre lieder on steroids. It's the only Ben Haim work I have heard that I do not like, and I think it's not really typical of his output
I hadn't realized it is on CD, I thought it was a radio recording or something like that. Your description piqued my interest. I have weakness for works with big forces!
Quote from: vandermolen on April 10, 2019, 05:37:58 AM
Something came on the car radio yesterday which I immediately recognised as 'my kind of music'. I couldn't place it at all (Bartok came to mind as a possibility) but had to listen to the end to hear the announcement. Somehow I missed that as well ::). Anyway a check of the BBC Radio 3 Schedules page identified it as Paul Ben-Haim's 'Yizkor' (Evocation) for Violin and Orchesra. I should have recognised the soulful 'Bloch-like' quality to the music. It's on You Tube if you want to hear it. It's from this new release:
(//)
Listening now on Qobuz. Gorgeous. I haven't gotten to the Violin Concerto yet. I have the Perlman CD with the Violin Concerto, but don't recall too much about it.
...Listened to this recording of the Violin Concerto and then the Perlman. I find Perlman a lot more exciting here. The sonics are not as good as Bis, but are OK (it's a live recording).
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on April 11, 2019, 06:58:38 PM
I hadn't realized it is on CD, I thought it was a radio recording or something like that. Your description piqued my interest. I have weakness for works with big forces!
Here it is
[asin]B009VKLC20[/asin]
I hope you like it better than I did.
Quote from: Daverz on April 11, 2019, 07:00:58 PM
Listening now on Qobuz. Gorgeous. I haven't gotten to the Violin Concerto yet. I have the Perlman CD with the Violin Concerto, but don't recall too much about it.
...Listened to this recording of the Violin Concerto and then the Perlman. I find Perlman a lot more exciting here. The sonics are not as good as Bis, but are OK (it's a live recording).
Am delighted that you like it and that it's of interest to Cesar as well. It could be one of my discs of the year. I find the ending of 'Yizkor' to be very poignant but really liked the whole work. I enjoyed every work on the CD although, to be honest, I found the short solo violin works a bit screechy. The last track on the CD is very catchy and I played it four times in a row in the car yesterday. I like the Violin Concerto and the rather soulful, Bloch-like works for violin and piano but 'Yizkor' was the big discovery for me. I was lucky to just turn on the car radio whilst it was being broadcast when we were driving home from a couple of days away. Luckily I turned on during a quiet lyrical passage so was able to insist that we listened until the end of the work ( ::)) although I still managed to miss the name of the composer. I do have 'Joram' on CD but don't think that it made much of an impression on me but should listen again. Of that type of work Bloch's 'Sacred Service' is by far my favourite. Anyway I'm delighted with the new Ben-Haim CD and am tempted to describe him as 'undeservedly neglected' but maybe let's not go there 8). At least the BBC broadcast this fine work and I wonder if his music is performed much in Israel. Ben-Haim's difficult personal history (he had to flee from Germany where he had achieved considerable success as a musician during the years of the Weimar Republic) makes interesting reading. A big recommendation from me for his two symphonies if you don't know them (CPO).
PS the final work that I was enthusing about above is a version for violin and orchestra, made by the violinist's father, of the piano work 'Toccata' by Ben-Haim. Here is the original piano version which is fun:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb6qaioPTZQ
It was so great to hear Paul Ben-Haim's Symphony No.1 at the Proms in London last night. It made such a difference hearing it live. I was with my brother who had not heard any Ben-Haim's before and who really enjoyed it 'he keeps the tension going' my brother also said that he was reminded of Shostakovich and Moeran at times. I really like the way in which Ben-Haim's (Frankenburger) fuses the European symphonic tradition with Middle-Eastern-type harmonies creating a very engaging and often exciting synthesis. The 'Hymn' slow movement was especially eloquent. This was performed by the BBC Philharmonic conducted by (Proms debut) their energetic conductor Omer Meir Wellber. I may never get the chance to hear one of the Ben-Haim symphonies live again and I'm so glad that I went. Actually I enjoyed the whole concert, even Mozart's Piano Concerto 15 played by Yeol Eum Son, Schumann's 4th Symphony and Schoenberg's Five Orchestral Pieces, but it is the Ben-Haim which stands out for me. The concert was being filmed by the BBC and I gather that it will be on TV (UK) on Friday if anyone wants to watch the broadcast.
Very nice Jeffrey! Ben-Haim's symphonies were a great discovery thanks to both you and Christo. That concert would have been of my real interest if I had been to there. What other concerts with interesting (I mean, rarely played) pieces are there at The Proms?
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on July 24, 2019, 03:40:20 PM
Very nice Jeffrey! Ben-Haim's symphonies were a great discovery thanks to both you and Christo. That concert would have been of my real interest if I had been to there. What other concerts with interesting (I mean, rarely played) pieces are there at The Proms?
Thanks Cesar. The other one I'm going to includes Dorothy Howell's 'Lamia' and Moisei Weinberg's Third Symphony (in August). The other concert that interests me includes the original version of Sibelius's 5th Symphony which I like very much. I'll look at the programme later to have a proper look at what's coming up.
Quote from: vandermolen on July 23, 2019, 11:16:32 PM
It was so great to hear Paul Ben-Haim's Symphony No.1 at the Proms in London last night. It made such a difference hearing it live. I was with my brother who had not heard any Ben-Haim's before and who really enjoyed it 'he keeps the tension going' my brother also said that he was reminded of Shostakovich and Moeran at times. I really like the way in which Ben-Haim's (Frankenburger) fuses the European symphonic tradition with Middle-Eastern-type harmonies creating a very engaging and often exciting synthesis. The 'Hymn' slow movement was especially eloquent. This was performed by the BBC Philharmonic conducted by (Proms debut) their energetic conductor Omer Meir Wellber. I may never get the chance to hear one of the Ben-Haim symphonies live again and I'm so glad that I went. Actually I enjoyed the whole concert, even Mozart's Piano Concerto 15 played by Yeol Eum Son, Schumann's 4th Symphony and Schoenberg's Five Orchestral Pieces, but it is the Ben-Haim which stands out for me. The concert was being filmed by the BBC and I gather that it will be on TV (UK) on Friday if anyone wants to watch the broadcast.
Quite an event, great to hear about it (here in Istria, far from Paul Ben-Haim's world, though I often heard his music on the car radio, while driving in Israël and Palestine, every Summer, during the last five years).
>:(
Quote from: Christo on July 25, 2019, 02:07:57 PM
Quite an event, great to hear about it (here in Istria, far from Paul Ben-Haim's world, though I often heard his music on the car radio, while driving in Israël and Palestine, every Summer, during the last five years).
Interesting to know. The Ben Haim was well reviewed in The Times yesterday. Maybe they'll perform Symphony No.2 one day. We (my brother and I) sat next to a couple from Birmingham who had not been to the Proms before - they really enjoyed the Ben Haim and the whole concert.
Copied from the WAYLTN thread:
Ben-Haim: Violin Concerto
Having enjoyed both of his symphonies on CD and No.1 at the Proms recently I thought that I should investigate more of his music. The concise Violin Concerto is very fine indeed. At the start it sounds very 'English' and could be by Warlock or Moeran. It then has a beautiful, soulful, slow movement and a catchy finale containing memorable and moving material. If you like the Barber Violin Concerto this might well appeal to you. There are several recordings:
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on August 02, 2019, 01:07:33 AM
Copied from the WAYLTN thread:
Ben-Haim: Violin Concerto
Having enjoyed both of his symphonies on CD and No.1 at the Proms recently I thought that I should investigate more of his music. The concise Violin Concerto is very fine indeed. At the start it sounds very 'English' and could be by Warlock or Moeran. It then has a beautiful, soulful, slow movement and a catchy finale containing memorable and moving material. If you like the Barber Violin Concerto this might well appeal to you. There are several recordings:
(//)
Well worth a hearing!
I watched the performance of the Ben-Haim Symphony No. 1 on iPlayer the other day (yes, amazingly it was televised). I'm extremely impressed with the work. It's definitely on my radar now.
Quote from: Maestro267 on August 05, 2019, 12:03:37 AM
I watched the performance of the Ben-Haim Symphony No. 1 on iPlayer the other day (yes, amazingly it was televised). I'm extremely impressed with the work. It's definitely on my radar now.
I was pleased to see the TV cameras there and watched the broadcast as well. Here is a CD of the symphony:
(//)
Both symphonies are splendid. I have a slight lean towards the 2nd, though.
Been listening to the CD of chamber music on Chandos again, with much pleasure. Thought it worth posting (again) the link to the soulful 'Canzonetta' from 'Five Pieces for Piano'. Ideal late night listening:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LcMaWvCl9GQ
(//)
I figured I'd give this thread a little jolt.
Cross-posted from the 'Purchases' thread -
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 08, 2020, 07:23:07 PM
Decided to expand my Ben-Haim collection:
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODYwNzQ3OS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NTI3ODU5MzB9)(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODAzMDY0OS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0NzExMjcyMjh9)(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODMxNDI2My4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0OTYwODc4ODZ9)(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODY4Mzg1Ny4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NzU5MDU4ODd9)
I already own the excellent CPO release of Symphony No. 1 and I believe that's all I owned of Ben-Haim in my collection before buying the recordings posted above.
Also, for anyone who hasn't seen this, you may want to check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/v/Xuq_CM-CYlk
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 08, 2020, 07:46:20 PM
I figured I'd give this thread a little jolt.
Cross-posted from the 'Purchases' thread -
Also, for anyone who hasn't seen this, you may want to check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/v/Xuq_CM-CYlk
I'm sure that you'll enjoy those John. Do you know the First Symphony? As with Weinberg's Third Symphony I was surprised that I was ever able to hear a live performance of it.
Quote from: vandermolen on June 08, 2020, 11:16:04 PM
I'm sure that you'll enjoy those John. Do you know the First Symphony? As with Weinberg's Third Symphony I was surprised that I was ever able to hear a live performance of it.
Sure, I've heard
Symphony No. 1 thanks to that first installment on CPO, but it's been quite some time since I've listened to it. I'm going to wait to revisit as I want to receive the rest of these recordings I just bought.
Count me as another fan of this composer. The Chandos CD is the only one I don't know yet, nonetheless, but the others are very fine.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 09, 2020, 07:29:45 AM
Count me as another fan of this composer. The Chandos CD is the only one I don't know yet, nonetheless, but the others are very fine.
Excellent to read, Cesar. I really want to get that Toccata recording of the SQs. Probably will spring for this a bit later on.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 09, 2020, 07:29:45 AM
Count me as another fan of this composer. The Chandos CD is the only one I don't know yet, nonetheless, but the others are very fine.
I'm sure you'd like the Chandos CD Cesar. I'm especially fond of the 'Judean Wilderness' - atmosphere of the first of the 'Two Landscapes' but the whole disc is very enjoyable.
Quote from: vandermolen on June 10, 2020, 01:28:46 AM
I'm sure you'd like the Chandos CD Cesar. I'm especially fond of the 'Judean Wilderness' - atmosphere of the first of the 'Two Landscapes' but the whole disc is very enjoyable.
Very interesting, Jeffrey. Thank you. I'm having that CD and the one on Toccata in the near future.
Heard this on the radio this afternoon (Symphony No. 1) and although I have the fine CPO disc I was very impressed by this performance and recording:
Oh, that's good news, Jeffrey. The other two works look of interest to me too.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on October 09, 2020, 05:28:50 PM
Oh, that's good news, Jeffrey. The other two works look of interest to me too.
Yes, I agree Cesar. Apparently it's the start of a new series featuring the music of Israeli composers.
Review of new Chandos CD:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/Nov/Ben-Haim-sy1-CHAN20169.htm
(https://storage.highresaudio.com/2022/06/28/228o73-paulben-ha-preview-m3.jpg)
Enjoying the Concerto for strings from this new release. I hadn't realize its existence till yesterday, and just now I wanted to check the music out. Looks like a promising disc, this work is phenomenal and greatly played. Cool cover art as well!
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on July 03, 2022, 07:09:31 PM
(https://storage.highresaudio.com/2022/06/28/228o73-paulben-ha-preview-m3.jpg)
Enjoying the Concerto for strings from this new release. I hadn't realize its existence till yesterday, and just now I wanted to check the music out. Looks like a promising disc, this work is phenomenal and greatly played. Cool cover art as well!
Gosh! Looks most interesting. It's an August release over here.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on July 03, 2022, 07:09:31 PM
(https://storage.highresaudio.com/2022/06/28/228o73-paulben-ha-preview-m3.jpg)
Enjoying the Concerto for strings from this new release. I hadn't realize its existence till yesterday, and just now I wanted to check the music out. Looks like a promising disc, this work is phenomenal and greatly played. Cool cover art as well!
Nice! Like Jeffrey, I'll definitely be picking this up whenever it's available.
Here's a direct link to this upcoming Ben-Haim recording via Presto:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9361903--paul-ben-haim-music-for-strings (https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9361903--paul-ben-haim-music-for-strings)
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 05, 2022, 09:54:07 AM
Here's a direct link to this upcoming Ben-Haim recording via Presto:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9361903--paul-ben-haim-music-for-strings (https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9361903--paul-ben-haim-music-for-strings)
Ordered already! ::)