Recently I was browsing the website Records International and discovered the newly released 1st Symphony and Piano Concerto on chandos. Of course he's been universally recognized as a significant conductor. I am famliar with a few piano works. He was quite prolific in piano compositions. However, I am unfamiliar with his first symphony as well as with his concerto. Also available is his 4th Symphony. I am unfamiliar with Goosen's orchestral works and was wondering if anyone in the forum is familiar with Goosen's orchestral compositions. If reviews and/or analyses are positive I may procure.
The other symphony which is available is No.2-Goossens only wrote two symphonies.
The Symphony No.1 is a fine piece and the Chandos recording with the late Richard Hickox conducting is a fine performance. However, since (sadly) there will be no Hickox recording of Symphony No.2, you might instead consider this box set-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2005/June05/Goossens_Handley_4767632.htm
Handley's performances are exemplary and if you like Bax and others of the lush romantics you should like Goossens :) I cannot honestly say that I was particularly struck by the other works in the box set or even that Goossens would be anywhere near my own personal favourite British symphonist(I prefer something a little 'leaner') but recommended nevertheless.
This article is also helpful-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/GoossensE/index.htm
Quote from: Dundonnell on March 02, 2009, 04:17:15 PM
The other symphony which is available is No.2-Goossens only wrote two symphonies.
The Symphony No.1 is a fine piece and the Chandos recording with the late Richard Hickox conducting is a fine performance. However, since (sadly) there will be no Hickox recording of Symphony No.2, you might instead consider this box set-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2005/June05/Goossens_Handley_4767632.htm
Handley's performances are exemplary and if you like Bax and others of the lush romantics you should like Goossens :) I cannot honestly say that I was particularly struck by the other works in the box set or even that Goossens would be anywhere near my own personal favourite British symphonist(I prefer something a little 'leaner') but recommended nevertheless.
This article is also helpful-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/GoossensE/index.htm
Thanks for the reply. I shall access the 2nd Symphony through the local library. Goosen's works may be quite interesting according to your statement.
I enjoy both symphonies and have the ABC individual CD releases with Handley and the new Chandos recording with Richard Hickox. It is a fine memorial to Hickox. The performance and recording of Symphony No 1 is excellent and I enjoyed the Piano Concerto too. Goossens is one of the best conductor/composers. There is a Baxian quality to his music which I respond to.
Quote from: Dundonnell on March 02, 2009, 04:17:15 PM
The other symphony which is available is No.2-Goossens only wrote two symphonies.
The Symphony No.1 is a fine piece and the Chandos recording with the late Richard Hickox conducting is a fine performance. However, since (sadly) there will be no Hickox recording of Symphony No.2, you might instead consider this box set-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2005/June05/Goossens_Handley_4767632.htm
Handley's performances are exemplary and if you like Bax and others of the lush romantics you should like Goossens :) I cannot honestly say that I was particularly struck by the other works in the box set or even that Goossens would be anywhere near my own personal favourite British symphonist(I prefer something a little 'leaner') but recommended nevertheless.
This article is also helpful-
http://www.musicweb-international.com/GoossensE/index.htm
I'm uncertain where I got the idea of a 4th Symphony. I shall order the 1st Symphony from ArkivMusic and wait until I hear the 2nd before or if I decide to buy the Symphony No. 2.
Quote from: schweitzeralan on March 03, 2009, 04:39:08 AM
I'm uncertain where I got the idea of a 4th Symphony. I shall order the 1st Symphony from ArkivMusic and wait until I hear the 2nd before or if I decide to buy the Symphony No. 2.
There's a CD of Goossens conducting Antheil's 4th Symphony. Maybe that's where you got the idea from (on Everest -good CD).
there was a 'rite of spring' with him conducting that was around for quite awhile.
he & beecham conspired on my favorite, totally non-hip recording of 'messiah'.
dj
Goossens was a very fine conductor. He recorded a good deal for the Everest label and some of these recordings are now being transferred to cd. I have him conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in Antheil's 4th Symphony, Ginastera's 'Estancia', the Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique, Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances, Respighi's Pines of Rome and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. He also recorded Robert Still's 4th Symphony for Lyrita and that recording will also soon be released on cd. All of these recordings were characterised by both precision but also excitement and colour.
Quote from: vandermolen on March 02, 2009, 10:42:02 PM
I enjoy both symphonies and have the ABC individual CD releases with Handley and the new Chandos recording with Richard Hickox. It is a fine memorial to Hickox. The performance and recording of Symphony No 1 is excellent and I enjoyed the Piano Concerto too. Goossens is one of the besat conductor/composers. There is a Baxian quality to his music which I respond to.
Glad to hear it. I've "Baxized" since the release of "Garden of Fand" back in the fifties. Bax is, in my view, a tremedous composer; and, I am looking forward to listerning to the Goosens symphony.
Quote from: schweitzeralan on March 02, 2009, 02:48:40 PM
...and discovered the newly released 1st Symphony and Piano Concerto on chandos.
A fine issue, impeccably presented, recorded and conducted. The works themselves, though, failed to make a strong impression; rather diffuse and meandering, yet pleasing and dramatic.
Quote from: Wanderer on March 05, 2009, 05:16:29 AM
A fine issue, impeccably presented, recorded and conducted. The works themselves, though, failed to make a strong impression; rather diffuse and meandering, yet pleasing and dramatic.
That pretty well sums up my view too.
I third this view, after exploring the Second symphony and Oboe concerto.
I like the Goossens symphonies and would rate them both higher.
Quote from: vandermolen on March 07, 2009, 06:05:50 AM
I like the Goossens symphonies and would rate them both higher.
Me too, me too. ;) I really find both symphonies first class, especially the First from 1940. But it took a long time before I really began to admire it. I now find it an epic symphony, full of tension and grandeur and of a rugged beauty that, for me, resembles similar aspects in e.g. Gustav Holst's Uranus from The Planets or, on the symphonic front, Walton 1 or Vaughan Williams 9. ::)
Look forward to the new Chandos release of it. Untill now, my personal preference is David Measham's fine account of it with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for Unicorn-Kanchana from the early 1980s, but only available on a long deleted Unicorn Kanchana LP (a cherished treasure, for me). :)
Quote from: Christo on March 07, 2009, 07:40:28 AM
Me too, me too. ;) I really find both symphonies first class, especially the First from 1940. But it took a long time before I really began to admire it. I now find it an epic symphony, full of tension and grandeur and of a rugged beauty that, for me, resembles similar aspects in e.g. Gustav Holst's Uranus from The Planets or, on the symphonic front, Walton 1 or Vaughan Williams 9. ::)
Look forward to the new Chandos release of it. Untill now, my personal preference is David Measham's fine account of it with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for Unicorn-Kanchana from the early 1980s, but only available on a long deleted Unicorn Kanchana LP (a cherished treasure, for me). :)
I very much agree and wish that the Measham, on that fine old Unicorn LP, was transferred to CD.
Walton Symphony No 1 - now, that IS a very fine score ;D
Quote from: vandermolen on March 07, 2009, 08:39:04 AM
I very much agree and wish that the Measham, on that fine old Unicorn LP, was transferred to CD.
Walton Symphony No 1 - now, that IS a very fine score ;D
Based on the praise of both Jeffrey and Johan, I shall try to find time to give the two Goossens' symphonies another shot :)
(And I shall ignore the outrageous provocation from Jeffrey ;D)
Quote from: Dundonnell on March 07, 2009, 03:25:13 PM
(And I shall ignore the outrageous provocation from Jeffrey ;D)
What a pity! ;D ;)
Quote from: vandermolen on March 07, 2009, 11:52:26 PM
What a pity! ;D ;)
Ah...but cross-refer to the Bliss thread ;D
Quote from: vandermolen on March 07, 2009, 06:05:50 AM
I like the Goossens symphonies and would rate them both higher.
I finaloy got to listern to the symphonies. Strong works indeed. I'll need to listen to them more to appreciate them in their totality and in their details.
Good composer but somewhat "eh??" when you read his biographies and discover the incident with the crazy pagan woman and his stash of what the authorities deemed pornographic material in his luggage. This interest in the occult derailed his career.
I've been listening to his various chamber works and the Phantasy Concerto for Piano & Orchestra today.
I've heard parts of the Oboe Concerto, and it seems like a strong work. 8)
Yes, the Oboe Concerto is really good. I hope that Chandos will release the very fine Symphony 2 maybe conducted by Andrew Davis.
I've just been listening to Goossen's Second Symphony via a cd-r made from audacity,via Youtube. This strikes me as a bit of a find,too (there have been a few,recently!) Exciting orchestration,big climaxes,colourful orchestration. It reminds me of those (somewhat annoying) Gramophone," if you like that you might like this' lists. Bax springs instantly to mind. It has that epic quality about it.I'm going to listen to No 1 again,now. I can see these going on my cd want list! I've previously been put off his music by poor quality downloads.
Quote from: cilgwyn on January 20, 2017, 09:56:52 AMI've just been listening to Goossen's Second Symphony via a cd-r made from audacity,via Youtube. This strikes me as a bit of a find,too (there have been a few,recently!) Exciting orchestration,big climaxes,colourful orchestration. It reminds me of those (somewhat annoying) Gramophone," if you like that you might like this' lists. Bax springs instantly to mind. It has that epic quality about it.I'm going to listen to No 1 again,now. I can see these going on my cd want list! I've previously been put off his music by poor quality downloads.
I love both symphonies - and both show these epic qualities very much. The performance of the Fist that I prefer - I know three and think there ar no more - is David Measham's.
Quote from: Christo on January 20, 2017, 11:37:21 AM
I love both symphonies - and both show these epic qualities very much. The performance of the Fist that I prefer - I know three and think there ar no more - is David Measham's.
+1
I'm playing Goossens epic First Symphony. I had his Second on a little earlier which sounds even more epic,to my ears,than his First,if that's even possible?!! :o ;D Some of this music sounds like the first two by Bax,but without the nature stuff and more of the turbulent,angry noisy,exciting stuff. The soundworld of the Second is more heated than the earlier symphony,with some quite amazing sounds coming from the orchestra...Korngold,and even Schrecker,getting the odd look in! (Did this chap ever compose any movie scores?) If I'd had these symphonies as a youngster these are the kind of noisy blockbusters I'd have had blasting out of the speakers,with the bass turned up,driving my poor parents mad!! Exciting stuff! I'm going to have to play that Second again?!!
(http://i.imgur.com/lYwgBiG.jpg)
Quote from: cilgwyn on July 19, 2017, 09:23:20 AM
I'm playing Goossens epic First Symphony. I had his Second on a little earlier which sounds even more epic,to my ears,than his First,if that's even possible?!! :o ;D Some of this music sounds like the first two by Bax,but without the nature stuff and more of the turbulent,angry noisy,exciting stuff. The soundworld of the Second is more heated than the earlier symphony,with some quite amazing sounds coming from the orchestra...Korngold,and even Schrecker,getting the odd look in! (Did this chap ever compose any movie scores?) If I'd had these symphonies as a youngster these are the kind of noisy blockbusters I'd have had blasting out of the speakers,with the bass turned up,driving my poor parents mad!! Exciting stuff! I'm going to have to play that Second again?!!
(http://i.imgur.com/lYwgBiG.jpg)
Perhaps my favourite composer whose best known as a conductor.
Thanks to the comments in this topic, I started searching for Goossens music ( I only have the second symphony on CD + some Everest recordings) .
On YT I discovered "The eternal rythm" - a huge wallop of youthfull orchestral extravaganza. Think of Strauss, Respighi, Scriabin ( Dukas/ La Péri, Bax?). Love it.
P.
https://www.youtube.com/v/djZQsdCqj5U
Quote from: pjme on July 24, 2017, 05:56:32 AM
Thanks to the comments in this topic, I started searching for Goossens music ( I only have the second symphony on CD + some Everest recordings) .
On YT I discovered "The eternal rythm" - a huge wallop of youthfull orchestral extravaganza. Think of Strauss, Respighi ( Dukas/ La Péri, Bax?). Love it.
P.
https://www.youtube.com/v/djZQsdCqj5U
That sounds interesting to probe!!!
I played the symphonies, unfortunately they didn't hook me. It happened the same with some symphonies by Bax, I found them too diffuse, anyway, I'll look for other compositions.
Am playing the new CHANDOS release of Goossens' Sympony No. 2 from 1945, only the second recording available IIRC (I know at least four of Symphony No. 1).
AFAIC, Andrew Davis is very much the right conductor for this music: his Vaughan Williams is often underwhelmed (Nos. 3, 4, 5, 8 ), overstated (No. 6) and just fine in case of his favourite (No. 9, three recordings, all fine). But Goossens is a composer to his heart: this recordings leaves nothing to be desired IMHO. Strongly recommended, also because of the two companying pieces, especially the Phantasy Concerto Op. 63 (from 1946-8, directly following the symphony).
(https://www.chandos.net/artwork/CH5193.jpg)