New cd from Dutton:
(http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/prodimages/7187.gif)
York Bowen
Piano Concerto no.2 ('Concertstück') in D minor op.17 (1905)
Piano Concerto no.3 ('Fantasia') in G minor op.23 (1907)
Symphonic Fantasia: a tone poem op.16 (1905)
Michael Dussek (piano)
BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Vernon Handley CBE (conductor)
Recorded at The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford
20-21 February 2007
CDLX 7187
Anyone have it yet/planning on picking it up?
No, but I got the first Bowen concerto CD they recorded
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2006/Jun06/Bowen_CDLX7169.jpg)
... and found the Violin Concerto to be an absolute beauty. Not quite fully the equal of the Elgar, but with many similarities and continuous incidental pleasures. The (1st) Piano Concerto I found rather weak, it is an earlier work. That keeps me wondering whether it's necessary to get this Piano Concerti disc.
His viola concerto (recorded by Lawrence Power, who just released a superb reading of the lovely Rubbra concerto, coupled with )the first modern recording of Walton's Viola Concerto in its original version) is a beautiful work though.
Thomas
Cheapest I've seen the new one at this point is HMV.CO.Uk for £5.99
A seriously underrated composer, but the most worthwhile stuff seems not to involve orchestra - even the 4th piano concerto. The solo piano music and the chamber music is the most rewarding, especially that which postdates WW1.
Stephen Hough's recording on Hyperion is highly recommended as are Joop Celis's CDs.
http://www.yorkbowen.co.uk/recordings.htm
Quote from: Dax on February 04, 2009, 04:15:42 PM
A seriously underrated composer, but the most worthwhile stuff seems not to involve orchestra - even the 4th piano concerto. The solo piano music and the chamber music is the most rewarding, especially that which postdates WW1.
Stephen Hough's recording on Hyperion is highly recommended as are Joop Celis's CDs.
http://www.yorkbowen.co.uk/recordings.htm
I "discovered" Bowen only a brief year ago. Some critics have written that Bowen's work approximates those works composed by several Russian composers, most notably Medtner; and, to a lesser extent, Scriabin. The 2 Piano concertros (BBC Concert Orchestra under the direction of Vernon Handley) are quite good. The Sonata in c minor, and his Phantasy for Viola ad Piano are also included on Centaur label. Intrigung works; however, I have to admit that I personally prefer the Bax inclusion; namely, the Sonata for Viola ad Piano (Op. 54). It tends to across as quite sensuous and refined. Bowen's best work consist of his many piano works. His Ballade No. 2, his F minor Sonata, and two romances on Hyperion label, are exemplary of carefully planned and executed dramatic and psychological insights. Stephan Hough as pianist, gives a marvelous performance. I sense an occasional presence of Scriabin and Medtner here and there. The Ballade in particular I find to be superb.
Just to add my voice - I enjoyed this recording immensely:
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/dec99/bowen.jpg)
This made my Best of 2008 list:
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/julygmg/BowenPC.jpg)
Sarge
Quote from: sound67 on July 04, 2007, 10:35:18 PM
His viola concerto (recorded by Lawrence Power, who just released a superb reading of the lovely Rubbra concerto, coupled with )the first modern recording of Walton's Viola Concerto in its original version) is a beautiful work though.
Something I just recently discovered on playing another recording, also coupled with Walton's Viola Concerto - and another fine performance imho:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51586BJKN1L._SS400_.jpg)
Ha!!
Have to disagree with my Dutch friends ;D I just don't take to York Bowen at all. Too Romantic, too diffuse, too old-fashioned ;D
......but then I don't much care for Rachmaninov, Medtner, Scriabin, Delius, Cyril Scott either ;D
Quote from: Dundonnell on February 05, 2009, 04:15:53 PM
Ha!!
Have to disagree with my Dutch friends ;D I just don't take to York Bowen at all. Too Romantic, too diffuse, too old-fashioned ;D
......but then I don't much care for Rachmaninov, Medtner, Scriabin, Delius, Cyril Scott either ;D
Why not? Just curious. You are indeed quite informed and knowlegeable in the discipline. What's the problem with Scott, Medtner, Scriabin? Too romantic? In your assesment which composers realize the ultimate aesthetic, intuitive, relevant, structural insights?
Quote from: Dundonnell on February 05, 2009, 04:15:53 PM
Ha!!
Have to disagree with my Dutch friends ;D I just don't take to York Bowen at all. Too Romantic, too diffuse, too old-fashioned ;D
......but then I don't much care for Rachmaninov, Medtner, Scriabin, Delius, Cyril Scott either ;D
I know. And still I don't mind... 0:)
Quote from: schweitzeralan on February 05, 2009, 07:20:16 PM
Why not? Just curious. You are indeed quite informed and knowlegeable in the discipline. What's the problem with Scott, Medtner, Scriabin? Too romantic? In your assesment which composers realize the ultimate aesthetic, intuitive, relevant, structural insights?
Oh my goodness :)
First of all...regarding my being "quite informed and knowledgeable"-I am familiar with a lot of the orchestral repertoire from around 1880-(say) 1960/70 but at a level far, far below that of professional musicians, musicologists, critics or many music-lovers who can read music(which I can't :()
My appreciation of music is almost entirely therefore emotional rather than intellectual in so far as I can read about the way in which a piece of music is structured but can only vaguely glimpse that structure myself. I respond to music on a visceral level. Orchestral music holds the greatest appeal to me because of its richness, its power, its capacity to sweep me off my feet. I like music which is exciting, imposing, 'grand', dark, granitic, grim, angry. The sound of massed brass and pounding drums excites me.
That goes some way to explaining my particular tastes in music from Brahms, Wagner and Bruckner through Sibelius, Shostakovich, to the British, Scandinavian and American symphonies of the 20th century.
Of course I respond to beauty in music as well :)...but there has to be a type of 'depth' to that beauty which I find it incredibly difficult to define or explain. I suppose that it might be a kind of dignity, nostalgia, sadness which one finds in, say, Vaughan Williams or many of the Nordic composers, or my great favourite, the English composer Edmund Rubbra.
I respond much less well to the 'romantic angst'-as I hear it, of course-of some of the composers I am less comfortable with. Sweetly, sentimental, romantic music can often sound cloying to my ears. In some cases I am irritated by music that seems to 'meander' aimlessly, whose honeyed sweetness sends me to sleep or, at least, does not sufficiently grab my attention.
A VERY personal response to your searching and demanding question :) No doubt wholly inadequate :)
Quote from: Jezetha on February 05, 2009, 09:46:38 PM
I know. And still I don't mind... 0:)
I appreciate that magnanimity, Johan ;D
Quote from: Dundonnell on February 06, 2009, 07:09:14 AM
Oh my goodness :)
First of all...regarding my being "quite informed and knowledgeable"-I am familiar with a lot of the orchestral repertoire from around 1880-(say) 1960/70 but at a level far, far below that of professional musicians, musicologists, critics or many music-lovers who can read music(which I can't :()
My appreciation of music is almost entirely therefore emotional rather than intellectual in so far as I can read about the way in which a piece of music is structured but can only vaguely glimpse that structure myself. I respond to music on a visceral level. Orchestral music holds the greatest appeal to me because of its richness, its power, its capacity to sweep me off my feet. I like music which is exciting, imposing, 'grand', dark, granitic, grim, angry. The sound of massed brass and pounding drums excites me.
That goes some way to explaining my particular tastes in music from Brahms, Wagner and Bruckner through Sibelius, Shostakovich, to the British, Scandinavian and American symphonies of the 20th century.
Of course I respond to beauty in music as well :)...but there has to be a type of 'depth' to that beauty which I find it incredibly difficult to define or explain. I suppose that it might be a kind of dignity, nostalgia, sadness which one finds in, say, Vaughan Williams or many of the Nordic composers, or my great favourite, the English composer Edmund Rubbra.
I respond much less well to the 'romantic angst'-as I hear it, of course-of some of the composers I am less comfortable with. Sweetly, sentimental, romantic music can often sound cloying to my ears. In some cases I am irritated by music that seems to 'meander' aimlessly, whose honeyed sweetness sends me to sleep or, at least, does not sufficiently grab my attention.
A VERY personal response to your searching and demanding question :) No doubt wholly inadequate :)
Thanks for the reply. Interesting. What you wrote is not dissimiliar to my own approach and passions toward classical music. Then, again, as I became older, my taste (?), passion (?) specific needs(?), as it were, had become considerably less ecumenical and expansive then my erswhile musical interests and needs. Granted, I understand and had consequently bowed before Bach, Beethoven, the Chopins, Mozart, et. al.; in sort, I had listened to and had enjoyed all the undeniable musical giants of the Baroque, Classical, or early Romantic periods. Now, however my demands have become considerably limited in taste and needs.It apears that for some reason most of my derive from te music develped and executed during the period acknowledged as that of the the Belle Epoque as well as during the two decades following. Essentially, personally, I am drawn to those works of Sibelius, Delius, Bax, Rachmaninof, Debussy, Ravel, Schmitt ad their cloned who happened to compose in the style and aesthetic of what had become labeled by some critics as "late tonality", a sequence which also pervaded the works of Suk, Scriabin, Gliere,Novak, Marx, Lyatoshinsky, plus so many others who evinced a showmansip of significant colors, dense harmonic subtleties, mystic, ethereal correspondences, etc. Many contributors to the many threads of this forum have been most interesting, and I have learned a great deal. I don't know who is a musician and/or who is not among those who contribute. Makes no difference to me. Admittedly I dabble ( but do not play well on the piano, but a little helps). Thus I m familiar with aspcts of music theory. Your statement surprised me somewhat, and I thought I would offer a brief comment. Keep up the good work. (One Belle Epoque composer whose works I can't tolerate are those of Elgar. But Bax, Moeran, Sainten, Howells, Ireland; namely, those of the Bax Generation are distinctly sacred, at least to this amateur.
BUMMPPPP!
Bowen's music scarcely fails to impress me over the past few years of gradually discovering his music. Perhaps unusually, I have yet to be quite so fully engaged by his piano concertos, or the symphony I heard. But his chamber music and solo piano works are something else.
In his compositional method I find such a richness, a strong melodic sensibility derived from Tchaikovsky and German models, but sometimes igniting in Rachmaninovian fire and spirit. Each composition tends to make me feel like I've gotten a certain "value" for my listening money with the effortless grace and density of ideas. None of his works reach masterpiece level, but despite the obvious harmonic influences, his style is both personal and endearing. He also wrote in forms that I wish the late Romantics I mention wrote more of, such as viola and violin sonatas. His Op.112 violin sonata has fortunately been recorded twice (on an excellent bargain Dutton twofer, and a fascinatingly-programmed EM Records disc) and has such a turbulent sweep to it which belies its late date of composition.
I think the primary reason why I find it so easy to get excited over such a "regressive" composer is the impeccable craft and proportion of the music. Often such descriptions would imply a Mendelssohnian quality, but it's that Bowen draws from rather more vibrant and "advanced" templates that make each exquisite piece after exquisite piece such a joy to uncover. Often these lesser figures feel almost apologetic in their styles, but Bowen has such a commitment to his writing.
Ever since that Hough recording, I love Bowen's music. The Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra, just released on Dutton along with similarly-scored works bij Bush and Brian, is a very beautiful piece. He really has his own distinct, late-Romantic voice.
I need to re-discover his piano music, I think. It was the same Hough disc which drew me in (it is phenomonal - who thought composer-pianists in this manner existed this late, save for Rachmaninoff?) but the string sonatas (the Hyperion and Dutton 2CD sets) have been a growing obsession for me recently.
It's strange: I scoffed when I initially read reviews of Bowen's music, read capsule bio, saw his photograph and composition titles. "A would-be Chopin in England? Hah!"
If you enjoy Bowen's musical idiom, the Chandos recording of Symphonies 1 and 2 is a real winner -
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61eGSzclT4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
CHAN 10670
Thanks, Albion. I read about your adventures with the Third Symphony on the Unsung Composers forum, and I also saw these Bowen works in one of the folders. Time to finally dive in, I think...
I must say I'm with Dundonnell on this one. Like Stanford (as well) it's all very fluent & well crafted,but even the highly rated 'Preludes' (by admirers) are,like,'in one ear out the other'. Rachmaninov,Ravel,Debussy,amongst others,did it all so much better and more memorably. Why not just listen to the 'real thing? But each to his own I say,and I will leave you to enjoy you're musical 'discovery' & Albion's generous musical link, in peace!
I heard Bowen's Symphony No. 1 the other day and was rather unimpressed with what I heard. The music is finally crafted but it failed to really leave me with anything worth noting other than this craftsmanship.
The Second Symphony is better.
But I am still unconvinced :(
Quote from: Dundonnell on July 27, 2011, 04:53:35 AM
The Second Symphony is better.
But I am still unconvinced :(
And why not? Bowen is akin to Chopin, Delius, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Medtner - poetic souls, with a pronounced feminine side. You like your testosterone (so do I, by the way). You won't find it in Bowen!
Now there's a rolling list of composers to savour ;D :-X
I wasn't too keen on his first symphony, either (I will reserve judgement since Johan seems to like it), but the work on the Dutton disc with Brian and Bush more than redeems the composer's orchestral side for me. Like with Chopin, the piano concertos lack a certain conceptual thrust that I enjoy in, say, Ireland's PC or Bax's Winter Legends, but just like that composer I tend to find something draws me back to the pieces.
Orchestral music is but one segment of a composer's itinerary, however...
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on July 27, 2011, 05:05:57 AM
I wasn't too keen on his first symphony, either (I will reserve judgement since Johan seems to like it), but the work on the Dutton disc with Brian and Bush more than redeems the composer's orchestral side for me. Like with Chopin, the piano concertos lack a certain conceptual thrust that I enjoy in, say, Ireland's PC or Bax's Winter Legends, but just like that composer I tend to find something draws me back to the pieces.
Orchestral music is but one segment of a composer's itinerary, however...
No, I have never heard the First!! So judge all you like... But I am completely entranced by Bowen's Rhapsody on the Dutton. Ravishing!
Quote from: Dundonnell on July 27, 2011, 05:00:42 AM
Now there's a rolling list of composers to savour ;D :-X
:D
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on July 27, 2011, 05:08:12 AM
No, I have never heard the First!! So judge all you like... But I am completely entranced by Bowen's Rhapsody on the Dutton. Ravishing!
:D
Yes....that sums it up, doesn't it ;D "Ravishing" :D Not a word I tend to use about music ;) :)
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on July 27, 2011, 05:08:12 AM
No, I have never heard the First!! So judge all you like...
I bothered to Google it for the first time (::)) and it turns out to be a student work, so I should probably base any opinion on the second.
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on July 27, 2011, 05:08:12 AMNo, I have never heard the First!! So judge all you like... But I am completely entranced by Bowen's Rhapsody on the Dutton. Ravishing!
:D
If you like the Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra, I would strongly recommend the equally "ravishing" tone-poem
Eventide (Op.69, 1922), on another mixed Dutton disc -
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FJbItnE7L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Dutton CDLX 7237
Thanks for the recommendation, Albion!
Of what I have heard so far, the Hough piano music CD is the only one I liked. The rest I never gave a second listen. In fact, I am reluctant to invest more in this composer...
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on July 27, 2011, 05:27:45 AM
Thanks for the recommendation, Albion!
You know how to get this collection, Johan. Just ask! :D
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on July 24, 2011, 04:18:33 PM
I need to re-discover his piano music, I think. It was the same Hough disc which drew me in (it is phenomonal - who thought composer-pianists in this manner existed this late, save for Rachmaninoff?) but the string sonatas (the Hyperion and Dutton 2CD sets) have been a growing obsession for me recently.
It's strange: I scoffed when I initially read reviews of Bowen's music, read capsule bio, saw his photograph and composition titles. "A would-be Chopin in England? Hah!"
My only Bowen recording is the 2CD set of the sonatas by Danny Driver on Hyperion; I like it enough that it can only be sheer laziness and my budget that has kept me from getting more of Bowen's music.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 27, 2011, 07:41:20 AM
My only Bowen recording is the 2CD set of the sonatas by Danny Driver on Hyperion; I like it enough that it can only be sheer laziness and my budget that has kept me from getting more of Bowen's music.
If you can find it at an acceptable price, this slipcase combination (http://www.amazon.com/York-Bowen-Violin-Cello-Sonatas/dp/B0055NCDH0/ref=sr_1_11?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1311781682&sr=1-11) of two recent Dutton releases is wonderful. It offers a bit more of an overview than Hyperion's twofer of complete viola & piano works. A lot of sellers divide it up and sell the CDs seperately because they make more money from it, so watch out.
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on July 27, 2011, 07:50:54 AM
If you can find it at an acceptable price, this slipcase combination (http://www.amazon.com/York-Bowen-Violin-Cello-Sonatas/dp/B0055NCDH0/ref=sr_1_11?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1311781682&sr=1-11) of two recent Dutton releases is wonderful. It offers a bit more of an overview than Hyperion's twofer of complete viola & piano works. A lot of sellers divide it up and sell the CDs seperately because they make more money from it, so watch out.
Well, $19.99 plus s/h seemed acceptable for the only copy on Amazon, so I ordered it. And now I have to wait 2 1/2 weeks or more since it's from the UK. Hopefully this vendor doesn't use the same tramp steamer Zoverstocks used.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 27, 2011, 08:40:15 PM
Well, $19.99 plus s/h seemed acceptable for the only copy on Amazon, so I ordered it. And now I have to wait 2 1/2 weeks or more since it's from the UK. Hopefully this vendor doesn't use the same tramp steamer Zoverstocks used.
Ah, I'm used to GMGers always holding out for less ;D The reason I didn't suggest that particular sale is because Dutton's own site was selling the twofer for a little under £8 - although given exchange rates and shipping charges, I suppose it might not have been much better. I hope you like it!
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on July 28, 2011, 05:57:15 AM
Ah, I'm used to GMGers always holding out for less ;D The reason I didn't suggest that particular sale is because Dutton's own site was selling the twofer for a little under £8 - although given exchange rates and shipping charges, I suppose it might not have been much better. I hope you like it!
$11.50 US per CD fits within my "cheap enough" parameters. Below a certain price I don't bother to look for alternatives. (And if I ordered from Dutton, I'd get an extra 3% foreign transaction fee, on top of shipping and handling, thanks to my credit card.)
And when I see only one new copy left on Amazon, my "get it before someone else does" mode kicks in. So this was an easy decision.
http://www.mediafire.com/?gwsteelf843vw# (http://www.mediafire.com/?gwsteelf843vw#)
I'm not an admirer myself,I admit. But here,if anyone is interested,is a link to a download of the long deleted 1994 3D French cd of Bowen's 24 Preludes performed by Marie-Catherine Girod. This preceded the Hough Hyperion cd which everyone regards as precipitating the current Bowen renaissance. It won't be up for long,so if you want it click on the link.
The French got there first!
I'm interested! I like Bowen's piano music. Ta very much!
My pleasure. The pianist looks rather nice in the photo,incidentally. Oooh la la!
I might try and upload her later!!!!
Quote from: cilgwyn on September 04, 2011, 11:18:21 AM
My pleasure. The pianist looks rather nice in the photo,incidentally. Oooh la la!
I might try and upload her later!!!!
Please do. I never downloaded a woman before.
It might take a while and some very high bitrates but I'll do my best!
Yours Sincerely
Dr Frankencilgwyn
Quote from: cilgwyn on September 04, 2011, 11:22:35 AM
It might take a while and some very high bitrates but I'll do my best!
Yours Sincerely
Dr Frankencilgwyn
;D
Why does 'bitrate' suddenly remind me of 'birth rate'?
You've got me worried now!
Chamber music
• Three Duos for violin and viola
• Miniature Suite for flute and piano
• Miniature Suite for flute, oboe, 2 clarinets and bassoon
• Soliloquy and Frolic for unaccompanied flute
• Sonata for 2 flutes
• Romance in D? major for violin or viola and piano (1900, 1904)
• Sonata in B minor for violin and piano, Op. 7 (1902)
• Fantasia in F major for viola and organ (1903)
• Sonata No. 1 in C minor for viola and piano, Op. 18 (1905)
• Allegro de Concert in D minor for cello or viola and piano (1906)
• Sonata No. 2 in F major for viola and piano, Op. 22 (1906)
• Finale of English Suite for string quartet (1908); from Suite on Londonderry Air co-composed with Frank Bridge, Harty, J. D. Davis, Coates
• Phantasie Trio for violin, cello (or viola) and piano, Op. 24
• Poem in G? major for viola, harp and organ, Op. 27 (1912)
• Romance in A major for cello and piano (1908)
• Suite in D minor for violin and piano, Op. 28 (1909)
• Phantasie in E minor for violin and piano, Op. 34 (1911)
• Serenade for violin and piano (1917)
• Valse harmonique for violin and piano (1917)
• String Quartet No. 2 in D minor, Op. 41 (c.1918)
• Fantasia ("Fantasie Quartet") in E minor for 4 violas, Op. 41 No. 1 (1907)
• String Quartet No. 3 in G major, Op. 46 (1919)
• Melody on the G-String in G? major for violin or viola and piano, Op. 47 (1917)
• Melody for the C-String in F major for viola and piano, Op. 51 No. 2 (1918)
• Phantasy in F major for viola and piano, Op. 54 (1918)
• Two Duets for 2 violas (1920)
• Sonata in A major for cello and piano, Op. 64 (1921)
• Two Preludes for horn and piano (1921)
• Rhapsody Trio in A minor for violin, cello and piano, Op. 80 (1925–1926)
• Quintet in C minor for horn and string quartet, Op. 85 (1927)
• Sonata for oboe and piano, Op. 85 (1927)
• Albumleaf for violin and piano (published 1927)
• Melody for violin and piano (published 1928)
• Phantasie-Quintet in D minor for bass clarinet and string quartet, Op. 93 (1932)
• Sonata in E? major for horn and piano, Op. 101 (1937)
• Allegretto in G major for violin or cello and piano, Op. 105 (published 1940)
• Sonata in F minor for clarinet and piano, Op. 109 (1943)
• Sonata in E minor for violin and piano, Op. 112 (1945)
• Trio in 3 Movements in E minor for violin, cello and piano, Op. 118 (1945)
• Sonata for flute and piano, Op. 120 (1946)
• Sonatina for treble recorder and piano, Op. 121
• Song in F major for violin and piano (1949)
• Bolero in A minor for violin and piano (1949)
• Ballade for oboe, horn and piano, Op. 133
• Rhapsody in G minor for viola and piano, Op. 149 (1955)
• Three Pieces for viola d'amore and piano, Op. 153
• Poem for viola d'amore and piano (1957)
• Piece for Viola in E? (1960)
• Introduction and Allegro in D minor for viola d'amore and piano (1961)
Concertante
• Concerto No. 1 in E? major for piano and orchestra, Op. 11 (1903)
• Concerto No. 2 "Concertstück" in D minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 17 (1905)
• Concerto No. 3 "Fantasia" in G minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 23 (1907)
• Concerto in C minor for viola and orchestra, Op. 25 (1906–1907)
• Concerto in E minor for violin and orchestra, Op. 33 (1913)
• Rhapsody in D major for cello and orchestra, Op. 74 (c. 1924)
• Concerto No. 4 in A minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 88 (1929)
• Concerto for horn, string orchestra and timpani, Op. 150 (1955)
Orchestral
• Symphony No. 1 in G major, Op. 4 (1902)
• The Lament of Tasso, Op. 5 (1902)
• Concert Overture in G minor, Op. 15 (1903-04)
• Symphonic Fantasia, A Tone Poem in F major, Op. 16 (1905)
• Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 31 (1909)
• At the Play, Op. 50 (1913)
• Suite, Op. 57 (1920)
• Eventide, Orchestral Poem, Op. 69 (1922)
• Festal Overture in D major, Op. 89 (1929)
• Somerset Suite (1940)
• Symphonic Suite (1942)
• Fantasy Overture on "Tom Bowling", Op. 115 (1945)
• Arabesque for harp and string orchestra (1949)
• Symphony No. 3 in E minor, Op. 137 (1951); lost [1]
• Three Pieces for string orchestra with harp, Op. 140 (c. 1951); lost
• Miniature Suite for school orchestra (c. 1960)
• Symphony No. 4 in G major (1961); incomplete
Piano solo
• Spare Moments (Books 1 & 2), Op. 1
• Silhouettes, 7 Morceaux Mignons, Op. 2
• Four Pieces, Op. 3
• Sonata No. 1 in B minor, Op. 6 (published 1902)
• Stray Fancies, 4 Little Pieces, Op. 8
• First Rhapsody, Op. 8 (1902)
• Sonata No. 2 in C? minor, Op. 9 (1901)
• Concert Study No. 1 in G? major, Op. 9 No. 2
• Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 10 (1902)
• Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 12
• Caprice No. 2, Op. 13
• Miniature Suite in C major, Op. 14 (1904)
• Nocturne (1904)
• A Whim, Op. 19 No. 2
• Three Pieces, Op. 20 (1905)
1. Arabesque
2. Rêverie d'amour
3. Bells, An Impression
• Polonaise in F? major, Op. 26 No. 2 (1906)
• Humoresque in G major (1908)
• Concert Study No. 1 in F major, Op. 32
• Short Sonata [Piano Sonata No. 4] in C? minor, Op. 35 No. 1
• Romance No. 1 in G? major, Op. 35 No. 2
• Suite No. 3, Op. 38
• Evening Calm in B? major (1915)
• Suite Mignonne, Suite No. 4 for Piano, Op. 39 (1915)
• Curiosity Suite, Suite No. 5 for Piano, Op. 42
• Three Sketches, Op. 43 (published 1916)
• Three Miniatures, Op. 44 (1916)
• Romance No. 2, Op. 45
• Twelve Studies, Op. 46
• Ballade No. 1 (1919)
• Three Serious Dances, Op. 51 (1919)
• Mood Phases, Op. 52
• Those Children!, 5 Impressions, Op. 55
• Fragments from Hans Andersen, Suite for Piano, Part One, Op. 58
• Fragments from Hans Andersen, Suite for Piano, Part Two, Op. 59
• Fragments from Hans Andersen, Suite for Piano, Part Three, Op. 61
• Variations and Fugue on an Unoriginal Theme, Op. 62
• Sonata No. 5 in F minor, Op. 72 (1923)
• The Way to Polden (An Ambling Tune), Op. 76 (1925)
• Capriccio, Op. 77
• Nocturne in A? major, Op. 78 (published 1925)
• Three Preludes, Op. 81
• Berceuse, Op. 83 (1928)
• Rêverie in B major, Op. 86
• Ballade No. 2 in A minor, Op. 87 (published 1931)
• Three Songs without Words, Op. 94 (published 1935)
1. Song of the Stream
2. Solitude
3. The Warning
• Idyll, Op. 97
• Falling Petals, Op. 98 No. 1
• Turnstiles, Op. 98 No. 3
• Twelve Easy Impromptus, Op. 99
• Two Pieces, Op. 100
1. Ripples, A Short Sketch in F major (1937)
2. Shadows, Prelude in D major
• Prelude in G minor
• Twenty-Four Preludes in All Major and Minor Keys, Op. 102 (1938, published 1950)
• Three Novelettes, Op. 124 (published 1949)
• Siciliano (in F major) and Toccatina (in A minor), Op. 128 (1948)
• Fantasia in G minor, Op. 132 (1948)
• Two Intermezzi, Op. 141 (1951)
• Sonatina, Op. 144 (1954)
• Four Bagatelles, Op. 147 (1956)
• Toccata, Op. 155 (1957)
• Partita, Op. 156 (1960)[2]
• Sonata No. 6 in B? minor, Op. 160 (1961)
2 Pianos
• Ballade
• Two Pieces, Op. 106 (1939)
• Sonata No. 2 in E minor, Op. 107 (1941)
• Waltz in C, Op. 108 (1941)
• Theme and Variations, Op. 139 (1951)
Piano 4-hands
• Suite in Three Movements, Op. 52 (1918)
• Suite No. 2, Op. 71
• 4 Pieces for Piano Duet, Op. 90
• Suite, Op. 111
Organ
• Melody in G minor
• Fantasia in G minor, Op. 136
• Wedding March in F major (1961)
A busy man! The more I hear, the more I like his music. To swipe a chunk from the New Grove:
His piano playing was recognized for its technical and artistic excellence. He formed duos with the viola player Tertis and the pianist Harry Isaacs. He could also play many orchestral instruments, a fact which contributed to the mastery of his orchestral writing. During World War I he played the horn in the band of the Scots Guards.
Bowen composed over 160 works, which show a blend of Romanticism and strong individuality. Several received their premières before 1914, and his Third Symphony (1951) and Fourth Piano Concerto (1929) were performed throughout his lifetime. He won the Sunday Express Prize for March RAF (1919), Chappell's Orchestral Suite Prize and the Hawkes and Co. Prize for Intermezzo (1920). Saint-Saëns thought him the finest of English composers.
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on July 24, 2011, 03:48:12 PM
He really has his own distinct, late-Romantic voice.
When I first read a biographical note on him, which talked about his strong individuality (at least in the piano music and the chamber pieces), I sort of took that with a bit of suspicion, but after finally hearing his music (remember, he was not exactly well-recorded when I was collecting in the Sixties/Seventies/Eighties ...) over the past two years, I was very pleasantly surprised. :)
The viola concerto is also a fine piece.
Wish I could track down Monica's book . . . the university erroneously discarded their copy some years back.
Finally got around to the Three Songs without Words, Op.94: "Song of the Stream", "Solitude", "The Warning"
. . . apparently, he left no description of what the piece was reflecting on. A "warning" of what? The music gives no clue (to me.)
To
vandermolen - ALL OF IT! 0:)
Quote from: Scion7 on October 14, 2015, 04:06:49 PM
Chamber music
• Three Duos for violin and viola
• Miniature Suite for flute and piano
• Miniature Suite for flute, oboe, 2 clarinets and bassoon
• Soliloquy and Frolic for unaccompanied flute
• Sonata for 2 flutes
• Romance in D? major for violin or viola and piano (1900, 1904)
• Sonata in B minor for violin and piano, Op. 7 (1902)
• Fantasia in F major for viola and organ (1903)
• Sonata No. 1 in C minor for viola and piano, Op. 18 (1905)
• Allegro de Concert in D minor for cello or viola and piano (1906)
• Sonata No. 2 in F major for viola and piano, Op. 22 (1906)
• Finale of English Suite for string quartet (1908); from Suite on Londonderry Air co-composed with Frank Bridge, Harty, J. D. Davis, Coates
• Phantasie Trio for violin, cello (or viola) and piano, Op. 24
• Poem in G? major for viola, harp and organ, Op. 27 (1912)
• Romance in A major for cello and piano (1908)
• Suite in D minor for violin and piano, Op. 28 (1909)
• Phantasie in E minor for violin and piano, Op. 34 (1911)
• Serenade for violin and piano (1917)
• Valse harmonique for violin and piano (1917)
• String Quartet No. 2 in D minor, Op. 41 (c.1918)
• Fantasia ("Fantasie Quartet") in E minor for 4 violas, Op. 41 No. 1 (1907)
• String Quartet No. 3 in G major, Op. 46 (1919)
• Melody on the G-String in G? major for violin or viola and piano, Op. 47 (1917)
• Melody for the C-String in F major for viola and piano, Op. 51 No. 2 (1918)
• Phantasy in F major for viola and piano, Op. 54 (1918)
• Two Duets for 2 violas (1920)
• Sonata in A major for cello and piano, Op. 64 (1921)
• Two Preludes for horn and piano (1921)
• Rhapsody Trio in A minor for violin, cello and piano, Op. 80 (1925–1926)
• Quintet in C minor for horn and string quartet, Op. 85 (1927)
• Sonata for oboe and piano, Op. 85 (1927)
• Albumleaf for violin and piano (published 1927)
• Melody for violin and piano (published 1928)
• Phantasie-Quintet in D minor for bass clarinet and string quartet, Op. 93 (1932)
• Sonata in E? major for horn and piano, Op. 101 (1937)
• Allegretto in G major for violin or cello and piano, Op. 105 (published 1940)
• Sonata in F minor for clarinet and piano, Op. 109 (1943)
• Sonata in E minor for violin and piano, Op. 112 (1945)
• Trio in 3 Movements in E minor for violin, cello and piano, Op. 118 (1945)
• Sonata for flute and piano, Op. 120 (1946)
• Sonatina for treble recorder and piano, Op. 121
• Song in F major for violin and piano (1949)
• Bolero in A minor for violin and piano (1949)
• Ballade for oboe, horn and piano, Op. 133
• Rhapsody in G minor for viola and piano, Op. 149 (1955)
• Three Pieces for viola d'amore and piano, Op. 153
• Poem for viola d'amore and piano (1957)
• Piece for Viola in E? (1960)
• Introduction and Allegro in D minor for viola d'amore and piano (1961)
Concertante
• Concerto No. 1 in E? major for piano and orchestra, Op. 11 (1903)
• Concerto No. 2 "Concertstück" in D minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 17 (1905)
• Concerto No. 3 "Fantasia" in G minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 23 (1907)
• Concerto in C minor for viola and orchestra, Op. 25 (1906–1907)
• Concerto in E minor for violin and orchestra, Op. 33 (1913)
• Rhapsody in D major for cello and orchestra, Op. 74 (c. 1924)
• Concerto No. 4 in A minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 88 (1929)
• Concerto for horn, string orchestra and timpani, Op. 150 (1955)
Orchestral
• Symphony No. 1 in G major, Op. 4 (1902)
• The Lament of Tasso, Op. 5 (1902)
• Concert Overture in G minor, Op. 15 (1903-04)
• Symphonic Fantasia, A Tone Poem in F major, Op. 16 (1905)
• Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 31 (1909)
• At the Play, Op. 50 (1913)
• Suite, Op. 57 (1920)
• Eventide, Orchestral Poem, Op. 69 (1922)
• Festal Overture in D major, Op. 89 (1929)
• Somerset Suite (1940)
• Symphonic Suite (1942)
• Fantasy Overture on "Tom Bowling", Op. 115 (1945)
• Arabesque for harp and string orchestra (1949)
• Symphony No. 3 in E minor, Op. 137 (1951); lost [1]
• Three Pieces for string orchestra with harp, Op. 140 (c. 1951); lost
• Miniature Suite for school orchestra (c. 1960)
• Symphony No. 4 in G major (1961); incomplete
Piano solo
• Spare Moments (Books 1 & 2), Op. 1
• Silhouettes, 7 Morceaux Mignons, Op. 2
• Four Pieces, Op. 3
• Sonata No. 1 in B minor, Op. 6 (published 1902)
• Stray Fancies, 4 Little Pieces, Op. 8
• First Rhapsody, Op. 8 (1902)
• Sonata No. 2 in C? minor, Op. 9 (1901)
• Concert Study No. 1 in G? major, Op. 9 No. 2
• Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 10 (1902)
• Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 12
• Caprice No. 2, Op. 13
• Miniature Suite in C major, Op. 14 (1904)
• Nocturne (1904)
• A Whim, Op. 19 No. 2
• Three Pieces, Op. 20 (1905)
1. Arabesque
2. Rêverie d'amour
3. Bells, An Impression
• Polonaise in F? major, Op. 26 No. 2 (1906)
• Humoresque in G major (1908)
• Concert Study No. 1 in F major, Op. 32
• Short Sonata [Piano Sonata No. 4] in C? minor, Op. 35 No. 1
• Romance No. 1 in G? major, Op. 35 No. 2
• Suite No. 3, Op. 38
• Evening Calm in B? major (1915)
• Suite Mignonne, Suite No. 4 for Piano, Op. 39 (1915)
• Curiosity Suite, Suite No. 5 for Piano, Op. 42
• Three Sketches, Op. 43 (published 1916)
• Three Miniatures, Op. 44 (1916)
• Romance No. 2, Op. 45
• Twelve Studies, Op. 46
• Ballade No. 1 (1919)
• Three Serious Dances, Op. 51 (1919)
• Mood Phases, Op. 52
• Those Children!, 5 Impressions, Op. 55
• Fragments from Hans Andersen, Suite for Piano, Part One, Op. 58
• Fragments from Hans Andersen, Suite for Piano, Part Two, Op. 59
• Fragments from Hans Andersen, Suite for Piano, Part Three, Op. 61
• Variations and Fugue on an Unoriginal Theme, Op. 62
• Sonata No. 5 in F minor, Op. 72 (1923)
• The Way to Polden (An Ambling Tune), Op. 76 (1925)
• Capriccio, Op. 77
• Nocturne in A? major, Op. 78 (published 1925)
• Three Preludes, Op. 81
• Berceuse, Op. 83 (1928)
• Rêverie in B major, Op. 86
• Ballade No. 2 in A minor, Op. 87 (published 1931)
• Three Songs without Words, Op. 94 (published 1935)
1. Song of the Stream
2. Solitude
3. The Warning
• Idyll, Op. 97
• Falling Petals, Op. 98 No. 1
• Turnstiles, Op. 98 No. 3
• Twelve Easy Impromptus, Op. 99
• Two Pieces, Op. 100
1. Ripples, A Short Sketch in F major (1937)
2. Shadows, Prelude in D major
• Prelude in G minor
• Twenty-Four Preludes in All Major and Minor Keys, Op. 102 (1938, published 1950)
• Three Novelettes, Op. 124 (published 1949)
• Siciliano (in F major) and Toccatina (in A minor), Op. 128 (1948)
• Fantasia in G minor, Op. 132 (1948)
• Two Intermezzi, Op. 141 (1951)
• Sonatina, Op. 144 (1954)
• Four Bagatelles, Op. 147 (1956)
• Toccata, Op. 155 (1957)
• Partita, Op. 156 (1960)[2]
• Sonata No. 6 in B? minor, Op. 160 (1961)
2 Pianos
• Ballade
• Two Pieces, Op. 106 (1939)
• Sonata No. 2 in E minor, Op. 107 (1941)
• Waltz in C, Op. 108 (1941)
• Theme and Variations, Op. 139 (1951)
Piano 4-hands
• Suite in Three Movements, Op. 52 (1918)
• Suite No. 2, Op. 71
• 4 Pieces for Piano Duet, Op. 90
• Suite, Op. 111
Organ
• Melody in G minor
• Fantasia in G minor, Op. 136
• Wedding March in F major (1961)
A busy man! The more I hear, the more I like his music. To swipe a chunk from the New Grove:
His piano playing was recognized for its technical and artistic excellence. He formed duos with the viola player Tertis and the pianist Harry Isaacs. He could also play many orchestral instruments, a fact which contributed to the mastery of his orchestral writing. During World War I he played the horn in the band of the Scots Guards.
Bowen composed over 160 works, which show a blend of Romanticism and strong individuality. Several received their premières before 1914, and his Third Symphony (1951) and Fourth Piano Concerto (1929) were performed throughout his lifetime. He won the Sunday Express Prize for March RAF (1919), Chappell's Orchestral Suite Prize and the Hawkes and Co. Prize for Intermezzo (1920). Saint-Saëns thought him the finest of English composers.
(http://www.explore-parliament.net/nssMovies/01/0139/0139_02.jpg)
I'm watching you - think of your heritage, my good man!
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on September 04, 2011, 11:19:56 AM
Please do. I never downloaded a woman before.
(https://www.solstice-music.com/img/slides/artist-slide-69.jpg)
SO - did that download ever finish? ;)
Bowen's art was very much the "real thing" - he's English, not Russian, German, or east-central European, and has a different composing outlook and art.
Classical CD Of The Week: York Bowen, The English Rachmaninoff
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8VkflMXcAEPTyq.jpg)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/04/01/classical-cd-of-the-week-york-bowen-the-english-rachmaninoff/#5f14ba171f0b (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/04/01/classical-cd-of-the-week-york-bowen-the-english-rachmaninoff/#5f14ba171f0b)
I never heard one work from Bowen that I actually liked. An English Rachmaninov, Jens? Hmmm...not really.
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 01, 2017, 07:30:56 AM
I never heard one work from Bowen that I actually liked. An English Rachmaninov, Jens? Hmmm...not really.
Not my quote. Just me quoting. ;D
Hopefully as you grow as a listener, that taste of yours will also expand.
I regard Bowen highly - solid composer.
Quote from: Scion7 on April 01, 2017, 09:17:31 AM
Hopefully as you grow as a listener, that taste of yours will also expand.
I regard Bowen highly - solid composer.
That's telling you,MI!! ;) ;D
He's still in the woodshed for not liking Mozart, etc.
;D
;D By the way! What's your fearsome Avatar of? I'll need that lager now!! ??? :o :o ;D
I probably should know!! ::)
I . . . AM . . . GROOT !!!!!
Quote from: Scion7 on April 01, 2017, 09:17:31 AM
Hopefully as you grow as a listener, that taste of yours will also expand.
I regard Bowen highly - solid composer.
This doesn't in any way, shape, or form mean I'm going to like his music even if my tastes in music 'expand.' Considering my ear for music, I think I'm the best judge of what I like and what I don't like. Bowen, unfortunately, just didn't leave me wanting to hear any more of his music.
My take on Bowen's piano sonatas:
http://cartimuzicaidei.blogspot.ro/2016/03/farmecul-intens-al-romantismului.html (http://cartimuzicaidei.blogspot.ro/2016/03/farmecul-intens-al-romantismului.html)
Google Translate will give you nothing but a horror show! :laugh:
Cutting a long story short: me likes Bowen's piano sonatas. 8)
Listening to the Violin Concerto Op.33 today at work, I was struck by how the motif's sounded like Brahms. The development is not like that of Brahms, of course.
BOWEN-McAslan, Handley, BBC Concert Orchestra
I have just been utterly blown away by Bowen's Viola Concerto! Much as I love the Walton, the Bowen has now surpassed it as my favorite viola concerto (granted, I don't know that many) and I'm baffled that it's not played much more often, considering the paucity of the viola repertoire. It's a sweeping, dramatic work with boundless energy, great tunes, and masterful writing for both soloist and orchestra. It's just such great fun! I can't imagine a more thrilling performance than that by Lawrence Power and the BBC Scottish SO under Martyn Brabbins:
[asin]B00095L8XE[/asin]
I know some fellow members with whom I generally share similar tastes (vandermolen, Mirror Image, cilgwyn, Dundonnell) aren't too enthusiastic about Bowen's music, but his Viola Concerto, along with his Piano Trio, have proven to be great discoveries. I would hardly claim that Bowen is a "great" composer, but his music is really enjoyable for me!
Quote from: kyjo on May 27, 2018, 07:09:03 PM
I have just been utterly blown away by Bowen's Viola Concerto! Much as I love the Walton, the Bowen has now surpassed it as my favorite viola concerto (granted, I don't know that many) and I'm baffled that it's not played much more often, considering the paucity of the viola repertoire. It's a sweeping, dramatic work with boundless energy, great tunes, and masterful writing for both soloist and orchestra. It's just such great fun! I can't imagine a more thrilling performance than that by Lawrence Power and the BBC Scottish SO under Martyn Brabbins:
[asin]B00095L8XE[/asin]
I know some fellow members with whom I generally share similar tastes (vandermolen, Mirror Image, cilgwyn, Dundonnell) aren't too enthusiastic about Bowen's music, but his Viola Concerto, along with his Piano Trio, have proven to be great discoveries. I would hardly claim that Bowen is a "great" composer, but his music is really enjoyable for me!
Clearly I need to listen to this work again. Thanks for the recommendation Kyle. I have the version on ASV.
Quote from: vandermolen on May 27, 2018, 11:10:02 PM
Clearly I need to listen to this work again. Thanks for the recommendation Kyle. I have the version on ASV.
No problem, Jeffrey. I would think that you'd like it, since I do, but we shall see! ;D
I've listened to all the concertos. The piano concertos 1-3 are good, the 4th piano concerto is so-so (more modern and rather Rachmaninovian), the violin and viola concertos are not that memorable, the Horn concerto is also good. I prefer the 2nd symphony in general regarding his works and his chamber music.
There ARE fans of York Bowen out there! His Symphony No.3, Op.137 (1951) was carelessly "lost" by the publisher De Wolfe. I visited their London office with a colleague many years ago and was amazed at their ignorance (they had managed to lose about half a dozen of his major late orchestral scores, along with all the performing material). Nevertheless, I have two vintage broadcasts (by Ian Whyte and Vilem Tausky) and a third (by Charles Groves) is at the British Library. I'm suggesting that this attractive work could be reconstructed (as many film scores have been from the soundtracks alone) and approached several conductors who have expressed an interest in the project. In the meantime, here are the broadcasts...
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/hjjaebl4ulyui/Bowen+-+Symphony+No.3,+Op.137+(1951)
:)
Yes, I am one of them. He was quite adept at chamber music, too.
Quote from: Albion on December 11, 2022, 07:07:24 AMThere ARE fans of York Bowen out there! His Symphony No.3, Op.137 (1951) was carelessly "lost" by the publisher De Wolfe. I visited their London office with a colleague many years ago and was amazed at their ignorance (they had managed to lose about half a dozen of his major late orchestral scores, along with all the performing material). Nevertheless, I have two vintage broadcasts (by Ian Whyte and Vilem Tausky) and a third (by Charles Groves) is at the British Library. I'm suggesting that this attractive work could be reconstructed (as many film scores have been from the soundtracks alone) and approached several conductors who have expressed an interest in the project. In the meantime, here are the broadcasts...
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/hjjaebl4ulyui/Bowen+-+Symphony+No.3,+Op.137+(1951)
:)
In a sort of "defence" of De Wolfe - they were always a curious choice for a 'classical' composer as their background was much more in library music and/or more popular sheet-style publications. There were so many small publishers in the UK (and elsewhere) between the Wars and immediately after that vast swathes of repertoire they published has been lost either when they stopped trading, were amalgamated into larger companies or simply stopped printing certain works. There are nightmare stories of premises being emptied of stock with music going straight into rubbish skips. My guess is that a set of parts and/or a score for Symphony 3 probably exists somewhere although of course it is unlikely they were published for sale so if the hire copies got junked perhaps there are no extant performing materials......
Count me in as a Bowen fan (at least of the works I've heard)! His style may be conservative but I rarely find it too "safe" or dull. His 2nd Symphony and Viola Concerto are particularly marvelous - full of great tunes, dramatic, and gloriously orchestrated. In essence, everything one would want in late-romantic orchestral music! I've also been highly impressed with some of his chamber works, particularly the Piano Trio in E minor, Phantasy Quintet for bass clarinet and strings, and Cello Sonata, which all display the same melodic generosity as the orchestral works. They can be found on these excellent CDs:
(https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b27386f8289654a57bd134cc5cb6) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81yu5MDpy5L._AC_UL600_SR600,600_.jpg)
I've yet to hear any of Bowen's PCs or solo piano music, which I'm sure would prove quite enjoyable as well...
Quote from: kyjo on December 22, 2022, 09:44:16 AMI've yet to hear any of Bowen's PCs or solo piano music, which I'm sure would prove quite enjoyable as well...
Get the fantastic four volume series by Joop Celis on Chandos, superbly played and beautifully recorded: these discs will give you pretty much everything that you could want and they have handily been repackaged in a single box (CHAN 10774) -
(https://www.chandos.net/artwork/CH10774.jpg)
Celis is a great interpreter of Bowen and has a phenomenal technique (try the 24 Preludes, Op.102, which are definitely
NOT for the faint-hearted). Nice packaging too and great booklet notes - these things are SO important!
Then add the Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3 which are on Dutton Epoch in great performances by Michael Dussek under Vernon Handley, plus you'll get a couple of other fine works namely the Violin Concerto and the Symphonic Fantasia. I personally wouldn't bother with the Hyperion RPC offering which includes No.4, not a very strong work IMHO.
:)
Quote from: Albion on December 22, 2022, 10:23:52 AMGet the fantastic four volume series by Joop Celis on Chandos, superbly played and beautifully recorded: these discs will give you pretty much everything that you could want and they have handily been repackaged in a single box (CHAN 10774) -
(https://www.chandos.net/artwork/CH10774.jpg)
Celis is a great interpreter of Bowen and has a phenomenal technique (try the 24 Preludes, Op.102, which are definitely NOT for the faint-hearted). Nice packaging too and great booklet notes - these things are SO important!
Then add the Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3 which are on Dutton Epoch in great performances by Michael Dussek under Vernon Handley, plus you'll get a couple of other fine works namely the Violin Concerto and the Symphonic Fantasia. I personally wouldn't bother with the Hyperion RPC offering which includes No.4, not a very strong work IMHO.
:)
Absolutely agree re the Celis/Chandos survey but Hough's single disc selection on Hyperion is a good "taster" as well....
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bh2ztK4oL._SY350_QL15_.jpg)
There is also this:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BzPdMweEL._SY580_.jpg)
which I enjoyed better than Celis in the Preludes. Celis is too percussive and staccato for my taste, Ortiz plays them more cantabile and legato.
Quote from: Roasted Swan on December 22, 2022, 12:43:50 PMAbsolutely agree re the Celis/Chandos survey but Hough's single disc selection on Hyperion is a good "taster" as well....
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bh2ztK4oL._SY350_QL15_.jpg)
Yep, is there nothing that Hough touches which
doesn't turn to gold? If so, I've not heard it! As with Marc-Andre Hamelin and Steven Osborne (who I was at university in Manchester with back in the late 1980s, a lovely guy - I still have a photo of us both hanging off a mountain precipice on a tour of Spain) every release that they make is just self-recommending. They choose repertoire because they love the repertoire and really know how to sell it to the listener (if the listener hasn't keeled over with a coronary because of the sheer virtuosity)...
;D
Not to be forgotten that York Bowen was a very fine pianist and interpreter of his own compositions.
Quote from: Irons on December 23, 2022, 12:46:08 AMNot to be forgotten that York Bowen was a very fine pianist and interpreter of his own compositions.
That's a very special recording on Lyrita, now thankfully reissued coupled with piano music by Franz Reizenstein on REAM2105 -
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzk3NjE4MS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NDIzMDM5NTR9)
Besides the orchestral and concertante stuff Dutton did a really excellent series of discs featuring a considerable quantity of the chamber music, but almost all of their Bowen recordings have been deleted now and they're not a company which offers downloads or CDRs so grab them second-hand if you can find them.
;)
This incredibly significant disc doesn't even appear on Dutton's website any more (CDLX 7263)
(https://img.hmv.co.jp/image/jacket/400/40/2/5/582.jpg)
and another very important multi-composer disc has also been deleted (CDLX 7237) which contains the lovely score
Eventide which by some miracle or other De Wolfe had not managed to "lose"
(https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.b6042f71e74f5f5601a505da35b105c8?rik=SF2wvIUcI%2bu9hQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.musicweb-international.com%2fclassrev%2f2010%2fApr10%2frvw_heroic_CDLX7237.jpg&ehk=HlncM8UEJaFLoO%2fxa8Y0qJSEs9o1z1mG66uS%2bnIzK60%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
The company clearly still continues to plan ahead (as with Sullivan's "The Martyr of Antioch") but I wish that the wonderful repertoire which they have built up over the years wasn't allowed to fall into the abyss...
I haven't looked, but are they available as downloads via Amazon, etc.?
Quote from: Scion7 on December 23, 2022, 01:39:09 PMI haven't looked, but are they available as downloads via Amazon, etc.?
Yes, several
are available from Amazon but not directly from Dutton, so I don't know if you would get downloads of the booklets
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=york+bowen+dutton&rh=n%3A77197031&dc&ds=v1%3A1n%2FPgJJWbvzrWXi9S7dW5I6JAlANMe0wittahzL2Rro&qid=1671835450&rnid=1642204031&ref=sr_nr_n_8
I'm afraid that I'm a dinosaur and like an actual physical product (you can often pick them up on Amazon or ebay second-hand).
:)
So do I - but it is better than denying the customer totally.
Quote from: Scion7 on December 24, 2022, 04:48:55 PMSo do I - but it is better than denying the customer totally.
Absolutely! I just wish that Dutton had a sensible policy of keeping their recordings available VIA THEIR OWN WEBSITE as do Chandos and Hyperion. I have 9 Dutton discs either devoted to Bowen or featuring him in multi-composer programmes. Now this was a serious investment on their part, so why not exploit it?
;)
Dutton have a very curious/self-defeating policy regarding their back-catalogue I feel. They have these occasional very good but under-publicised sales but generally they are loath to allow any of their material to ever have a mid-price release. Hyperion were sensible accepting that older (but good) releases could reappear on their Helios label and likewise Chandos have regular "sales" of hard copy or downloads in a way that Dutton seemingly refuse to do. Likewise while you can access some Dutton on streaming platforms such as Spotify they seem to have wholly ignored the market for good quality purchased downloads. I think that is simply down to Mike Dutton himself not liking that format so not sanctioning the facility. But again other hi-end labels have accepted that some folk are happy to pay decent money for downloads - why spite yourself to not provide that service. Conversely, the pursuit of re-releasing old licenced SQ recordings seems super-niche (even when the performances themselves are very fine)
Quote from: Roasted Swan on December 28, 2022, 01:38:05 AMDutton have a very curious/self-defeating policy regarding their back-catalogue I feel. They have these occasional very good but under-publicised sales but generally they are loath to allow any of their material to ever have a mid-price release. Hyperion were sensible accepting that older (but good) releases could reappear on their Helios label and likewise Chandos have regular "sales" of hard copy or downloads in a way that Dutton seemingly refuse to do. Likewise while you can access some Dutton on streaming platforms such as Spotify they seem to have wholly ignored the market for good quality purchased downloads. I think that is simply down to Mike Dutton himself not liking that format so not sanctioning the facility. But again other hi-end labels have accepted that some folk are happy to pay decent money for downloads - why spite yourself to not provide that service. Conversely, the pursuit of re-releasing old licenced SQ recordings seems super-niche (even when the performances themselves are very fine)
Absolutely! When companies (especially the "majors") are literally falling over themselves to repackage either artist-led, orchestra-led or composer-led sets (often in mind-numbingly large boxes - the "complete" this and the "complete that") it
MAKES NO SENSE for Dutton to simply make their recorded repertoire "out of stock", for which read "deleted without a hope in Hell of another pressing". In this respect Hyperion and Chandos have both taken the eminently sensible download and CDR approach. I don't personally like the former format but I can cope with the latter (although I have what I want on original CDs). Lyrita have done the same, although their catalogue seems somewhat more stable than Dutton's, but who knows how long that may last...
https://www.wyastone.co.uk/nimbus-disc-print
:)
This double CD has delighted me lately. I had Bowen in low esteem for whatever reason, but these works have proven to be utterly lyric and tuneful.
List of works here (https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67651/2)
(https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/jpegs/150dpi/034571176512.png)
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on July 13, 2023, 04:46:23 PMThis double CD has delighted me lately. I had Bowen in low esteem for whatever reason, but these works have proven to be utterly lyric and tuneful.
List of works here (https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67651/2)
(https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/jpegs/150dpi/034571176512.png)
No idea why you'd hold Bowen in low esteem (unless your name is vandermolen)! ;) I mostly know the Viola Sonata no. 1 from that CD, a superbly written work filled with great tunes (Lawrence Power is such a fine violist, btw). I've always thought that the main theme of the beautiful slow movement sounds remarkably like the spiritual
Deep River, at least at the very beginning!
Bowen: https://youtu.be/wuEOBWcydpw
Deep River: https://youtu.be/EVMgiwR5igo
Other works by Bowen that I treasure include his Symphony no. 2, Viola Concerto, Piano Concerto no. 3, Cello Sonata, Piano Trio in E minor, and Phantasy Quintet for bass clarinet and strings.