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#1
Quote from: Harry on Today at 07:50:44 AMAdolphe Blanc.
Chamber Music.
See back cover for details.



This is a debut album with string quintets by Adolphe Blanc. A fresh, and dynamic recording, in which the musicians had a lot of fun and which definitely has everything to go for. This music puts a smile on your face.
Not really well known, this music deserves a hearing, for these compositions are original and captivating. There is never a boring moment in this excellent interpretation. Original and well projected. Sound is good too.

Interesting. Never heard about him before..
#2
GMG News / Re: Bug Report 2024
Last post by Florestan - Today at 08:57:53 AM
Quote from: Spotted Horses on Today at 08:34:36 AMDoes anyone here get out enough to recognize a crosswalk? Check all boxes with a diminished seventh chord.

Check the boxes with the best three recordings of Bax's Tintagel is more like GMG.  ;D
#4
Composer Discussion / Re: Sir Arnold Bax
Last post by Spotted Horses - Today at 08:44:13 AM
Reminds me, I am up to the third symphony in my back-burner Bax survey.
#5
After really enjoying the Braunfels string quartets (particularly No 1 and 2) I've been taking a meandering path through the mud-lady series (and some other recordings of orchestral works). The first time I wasn't impressed, but the second time I enjoyed the Prelude and Fugue.



#6
GMG News / Re: Bug Report 2024
Last post by Spotted Horses - Today at 08:34:36 AM
Quote from: Florestan on Today at 08:26:41 AMCheck all images with a crosswalk  ;D

I hate it!


Does anyone here get out enough to recognize a crosswalk? Check all boxes with a diminished seventh chord.
#7
GMG News / Re: Bug Report 2024
Last post by Florestan - Today at 08:26:41 AM
Quote from: Spotted Horses on Today at 08:10:52 AMAre you volunteering to solve one of those silly puzzles every time you like a post? :)

Check all images with a crosswalk  ;D

I hate it!
#8
Composer Discussion / Re: Sir Arnold Bax
Last post by Roasted Swan - Today at 08:17:28 AM
Today I happened to listen to Bax's "In Memoriam" which appears as the last track on this disc;



a really impressive disc - mainly devoted to Elgar - but with this substantial/rare Bax work as the "filler"  Regarding the Elgar works; I do enjoy "The Spirit of England" - with wonderful choral writing and utter sincerity in its ardent-eyed patriotism.  The Voice in the Wilderness is still a rarity - a work for narrator, soprano solo and orchestra but it receives a very convincing performance here and a rather touching one too.  One thing struck me listening to the Funeral March from Grania & Diarmid (which is glorious) - I think Anthony Payne must have borrowed an idea or two (and the orchestration) from the last great climax for his Symphony 3 realisation.

Which brings me to the Bax.  Written around the time of "Garden of Fand" this is Bax at his creative early peak.  A tremendously powerful work - but of course one that would sit uneasily with the powers that be given its support of Paedrig Pearce and the Irish Rebellion.  This is a substantial work 17:03 with Elder and 14:52 with Handley in its only other recording.  Both are very fine but I rather like the extra little bit of grandeur and grief Elder finds.  But a tremendous work and one that deserves to be much better known.  Bax's original orchestration was lost for decades so it was never played in his lifetime.  But Bax did mine the score later in life to use a theme in his film music for Oliver Twist which is why it might sound familair.

One VERY curious error in the Halle release booklet.  The great Micheal Kennedy states that the work is an orchestration of the cor anglais, harp, string quartet work from 1916 also "In Memoriam Paedrig Pearce".  Its not - its a completely unrelated work albeit on the same subject [there's a recording of the chamber work on Chandos].  VERY surprised Kennedy could make this mistake and that it was not caught pre-publication.  The existence of the 2 different works is clearly documented by Graham Parlett for one.
#9
Quote from: Mandryka on April 17, 2024, 07:33:55 AMI like Sigrun Richter in French music a lot. Her Reusner has never caught my attention in a positive way.




I regret saying this now, or at least it's no longer true. I find myself very much appreciating her relaxed and joyful music making in Reusner. What is really odd is how much Sigrun Richter's rather distinctive style has touched my aural G spot these past few days, like never before. You have to be open and ready for music I guess - that's why I hate critics who give stars and such like.

Anyway, Richter is a fine musician - and typically, her recordings are hard to find it seems.



#10
GMG News / Re: Bug Report 2024
Last post by Spotted Horses - Today at 08:10:52 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on Today at 04:05:55 AM@Dungeon Master   What about installing one of those "Prove that you are not a bot" guards that one has to do before they can access the website?  Too expensive or complicated to set up?  And how effective are they?

Just a thought.  :)

PD

Are you volunteering to solve one of those silly puzzles every time you like a post? :)

It would certainly cut down on frivolous posting. (Are there any posts here that are not frivolous?)