I just heard some snippets from his Op.47 SQ, and it sounded pretty advanced. A few other snippets revealed more of the same...gargantuan? maybe...definitely independent of Beethoven.
He wrote as many SQs as Spohr, with many Quintets also. I've read his bio, but the music is something else altogether, no?
For those interested, first check out the 8-page thread started by Gurn on the Old Forum HERE (http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,3046.0.html) - ;) :D
Just read the old thread...typically, for GMG, there is a page long Schnittke off topic conversation, haha! Well, I don't think we have any new cds since 2005, and I don't see anyone else really contributing (keep in mind, if a thread here is 8 pages, then at least half of those pages are devoted to butt kissing and/or general off-topic-ness).
Any detail on Op.47 SQ (c/C) or Op.56 SQ (c/Eb)? My SQ index seems to list many Onslow SQs as "minor" whereas SilverTrust Editions list them as "major." Strange. Op.47 has been called a masterpiece.
Yeah D Minor and I just really wasted space on that thread. ::)
I'm surprised by two things,
(a) I've heard Onslow, I didn't remember!
(b) that somehow those posts survived my ocd culling of the 10,000 or so posts I deleted back then!
I've tried a few of the quartets but found them a little derivative and without great personality.
try the 4 symphonies (he was surnamed the "french Beethoven")
The piano-trios and 4 hands sonatas are very fine.
Quote from: assadourian on August 05, 2010, 07:58:36 AM
try the 4 symphonies (he was surnamed the "french Beethoven")
The piano-trios and 4 hands sonatas are very fine.
If you click the link at the bottom of my signature, it will take you to the Classical Corner, where we are discussing a new Onslow quartets disk now. It's a peach, too! :)
8)
I never mentioned the Erato disc of String Quintets, from the library a few months back, and, they are both large, wrought works, which, many might say strike the perfect balance. I believe both came from around 1850. I was comparing it to the Schubert at the time, and, of course they are not on that scale, but, that I can remember their summery cypress studded crags should speak for itself, ha! ;)
Thought that I'd 're-activate' this thread - quote below from a post that I left in the 'listening thread' this morning - just acquired several new SQ discs of George (also re-posted in
Gurn's thread, but wanted to make a few more comments about Onslow here which might stimulate some interest - :D
The liner notes in the Naive CD were written by
Viviane Niaux who runs a website dedicated to
George(s) Onslow - check HERE (http://www.georgeonslow.com/en/) (English & French language options) - his catalog of works HERE (http://www.georgeonslow.com/catalogue-des-oeuvres.html); the Opus numbers are nearly all chamber compositions.
Also, there are two fairly recent bios on the composer, one by Niaux - for those interested, check HERE (http://ml.oxfordjournals.org/content/89/1/126.short) - :D
QuoteSome 'new' arrivals the last few days but just getting a chance to listen on this Labor Day weekend!
Geroges Onslow (1784-1853) - String Quartets but with two different groups & labels; these include 6 different works (2 from Op. 9, and also Op. 47, 54-56) - we've had previous discussions on this rediscovered composer who was French born w/ an English father, and mainly German-trained - he wrote about 70 String Quartets/Quintets (nearly split in half); many likely yet to be found, published & performed!
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/OnslowSQs5457/994046366_J4Avh-O.jpg) (http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/OnslowSQs947/994046356_7rmYr-O.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan on September 04, 2010, 07:22:58 AM
Thought that I'd 're-activate' this thread - quote below from a post that I left in the 'listening thread' this morning - just acquired several new SQ discs of George (also re-posted in Gurn's thread, but wanted to make a few more comments about Onslow here which might stimulate some interest - :D
The liner notes in the Naive CD were written by Viviane Niaux who runs a website dedicated to George(s) Onslow - check HERE (http://www.georgeonslow.com/en/) (English & French language options) - his catalog of works HERE (http://www.georgeonslow.com/catalogue-des-oeuvres.html); the Opus numbers are nearly all chamber compositions.
Also, there are two fairly recent bios on the composer, one by Niaux - for those interested, check HERE (http://ml.oxfordjournals.org/content/89/1/126.short) - :D
I got the Quatour Diotima CD recently; the first few listens have impressed me greatly.
Piano Trios, V.3/4 w/
Trio Cascades - these 2 discs (packaged nicely in a single disc sized jewel case) conclude their recordings of the 10 piano trios by Onslow - I now own all 4 discs in this project; the Trio Cascades is an excellent group and the recording sound is superb as usual from the CPO label; style is late classical/early Romantic (Onslow's teachers were Dussek, Cramer, and Reicha) - he was much more popular in Germany than in France, his country of birth (English aristocratic father & French noble woman mother) where his chamber works were greatly appreciated - limited review from the
American Record Guide (Nov-Dec 11 issue) quoted below, but not of much help in making a purchasing decision - could not locate other reviews at the moment, but there are some videos available, if interested! :)
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-RbXkvDR/0/O/OnslowPianoTriosV34.jpg)
QuoteONSLOW: Trios - Cascades Trio—CPO 777 232 [2CD] 150 minutes
This contains no surprises. It is more of George Onslow's music (1784-1853). As regular readers of this magazine will know, Onslow's British father settled in the Auvergne area ofFrance and married into a noble family. Because of royalist sympathies the family sought refuge in Hamburg, where young Onslow studied with Jan Ladislav Dussek. When the ban on Onslow's settlement in France was lifted in 1800 they returned. The father took the son to England to visit family several times. This enabled him to learn fluent English and to meet Johann Baptist
Cramer. He became interested in composing and studied further with Antonin Reicha. He concentrated his efforts on the classical style, and his music is not unlike Mendelssohn's.
He was more highly regarded in Germany, where he became a friend of Mendelssohn. This is a young German group that plays with flair and
panache. We can expect the complete Onslow Trios—these are labeled Volumes 3 and 4. The notes are exceptionally good and the recordings first class.
BAUMAN
Quote from: SonicMan46 on November 26, 2011, 07:37:48 AM
Piano Trios, V.3/4 w/ Trio Cascades - these 2 discs (packaged nicely in a single disc sized jewel case) conclude their recordings of the 10 piano trios by Onslow - I now own all 4 discs in this project; the Trio Cascades is an excellent group and the recording sound is superb as usual from the CPO label; style is late classical/early Romantic (Onslow's teachers were Dussek, Cramer, and Reicha) - he was much more popular in Germany than in France, his country of birth (English aristocratic father & French noble woman mother) where his chamber works were greatly appreciated - limited review from the American Record Guide (Nov-Dec 11 issue) quoted below, but not of much help in making a purchasing decision - could not locate other reviews at the moment, but there are some videos available, if interested! :)
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-RbXkvDR/0/O/OnslowPianoTriosV34.jpg)
Shockingly dry review, haha! Starch that collar much Bauman?
Quote from: snyprrr on November 26, 2011, 10:10:48 PM
Shockingly dry review, haha! Starch that collar much Bauman?
Hey
Snyprrr - LOL! ;D Agree that the review basically STUNK! The guy should be fired - just quoted some liner comments and said the performance was good - not much help; plus, I searched for other much more informative reviews w/o success!
BUT, I do own the first 2 volumes and enjoy - the group
Trio Cascades is excellent and the members have played together for a while; and like the packaging, so thought that I'd simply complete the set - not disappointed at all! Dave :)
I've heard that Erato disc of Quintettes above. I believe they're from around 1850, around the premiere of Schubert's Quintett(no?), and they have a rugged quality,... like the cd cover, haha, very out-doorsy. I don't recall them bowling me over, but I still haven't scratched the surface yet, probably with that Diotima disc.
Any current opines on that Diotima disc? I wonder how weak I am this week? ;) 8)
Quote from: toucan on November 28, 2011, 06:37:10 AM
Well, the Quintets are Schubertian, in the end, moderated Schubert, Schubert without the spirituality of Schubert and the affect of Schubert and the premonitions of death of Schubert. In his life time Schubert was at the vanguard & a precursor of the Romantics; yet within a lifetime he - or rather, composers who like Onslow took after him - was the embodiement of tradition & a renewed classicism. Funny how things pan out.
Aye! ;)
Well, I've really enjoyed most of Onslow's chamber works - I have that Erato disc w/ Hubeau on the Apex label, of course at a great budget price (not sure if it is still available); and a bunch of String Quintets - quite a bit of his music available! :)
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/OnslowGrands/400280595_ghnT2-S.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TGxpCEWPL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51aj4O3AfOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tlWYwc%2B3L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Well nearly 2 years w/o a post to poor Georgie's thread - now, he deserves better! :D
Just acquired the disc discussed recently in the listening thread - quite nice - quality compositions & excellent performances - Dave :)
QuoteOnslow, Georges (1784-1853) - Cello Sonatas w/ the performers on the cover art - own a lot of Onslow's music, so not a hard decision for me, especially after several excellent reviews, including THIS ONE (http://www.classicstoday.com/review/onslows-enchanting-cello-sonatas/); Onslow was superb in writing chamber works and also played the cello, so these performances are highly recommended to fans of the composer & the instrument - :)
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-QsFgSwv/0/O/Onslow_Cello.jpg)
Well, after probably 10 yrs of collecting Onslow recordings, I have nearly 20 discs - just updated my classical music database w/ the cello CD in the previous post - made a screen capture which is below for those interested in some of the offerings for this English-French composer. NOW - as a recommendation, Onslow along w/ several other composers in a collection of Piano Quintets is available on two Brilliant CDs w/ the Nepomuk Fortepiano Quintet - :)
Now Georges has his own 'Online Association' HERE (http://www.georgeonslow.com/en/) w/ plenty of information available; there is a short bio HERE (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Dec03/Onslow.htm) by Baudime Jam, who is the author of a much larger biography of the composer - I actually was able to reserve this here as in inter-library loan but only the French copy was available (in fact, not sure if there is an English translation?). Dave
(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-XHXbwpN/0/O/OnslowAll%20copy.jpg)
Poor George - no activity here for 3 1/2 years! :o 8)
And I left the previous post w/ my list of about 20 Onslow CDs - well, just added another of String Quintets, Op. 68 & 80 - the link above to his website seems to have changed - the current one is HERE (http://george.onslow.free.fr/accueilUK.html), for those interested; stated in his 'catalogue' there are a listing of 36 String Quartets & 34 String Quintets - the disc shown below is about all that I could add after an Amazon search - now, I'm up to 10 SQuartets & 9 SQuintets! :) Dave
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61UchexWOgL.jpg)
FWIW the Mandelring Quartet(t) is spelled like this not like above. I'd have to try again but I used to find Onslow somewhat "dry" (or lacking in memorable melodic ideas).
I have had some cpo discs (one each with symphonies and trios, two with string quartets and the nonet/quintet), also the Archibudelli and I somewhat recently got the Apex disc with the wind/string/piano music but I cannot quite remember that any piece "grabbed" me.
Quote from: Jo498 on December 05, 2016, 01:48:50 PM
FWIW the Mandelring Quartet(t) is spelled like this not like above. I'd have to try again but I used to find Onslow somewhat "dry" (or lacking in memorable melodic ideas).
I have had some cpo discs (one each with symphonies and trios, two with string quartets and the nonet/quintet), also the Archibudelli and I somewhat recently got the Apex disc with the wind/string/piano music but I cannot quite remember that any piece "grabbed" me.
Thanks for the comments - not to worry about the typos - I know the right spelling of 'Mandelring' but my MS Access database was typed into quickly and not carefully checked - PLUS, no longer changeable w/o difficulty, i.e. in the spring of 2013, I switched completely to Apple equipment (in retirement) - had a half dozen personal databases in MS Access - was able to switch all but two LARGE ones, my 'classical' and 'non-classical' music collections - there is no equivalent in 'Apple Land' for Access, so my nearly 50 page printout of the classical database is now filled w/ write-ins and culled cross-outs - what a mess! :) Dave
Quote from: Jo498 on December 05, 2016, 01:48:50 PM
FWIW the Mandelring Quartet(t) is spelled like this not like above. I'd have to try again but I used to find Onslow somewhat "dry" (or lacking in memorable melodic ideas).
I have had some cpo discs (one each with symphonies and trios, two with string quartets and the nonet/quintet), also the Archibudelli and I somewhat recently got the Apex disc with the wind/string/piano music but I cannot quite remember that any piece "grabbed" me.
If you have an opportunity to hear the Diotima Quartet disk shown in this post:
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,13552.msg446723.html#msg446723
by all means do so. Not only are they very nicely played, but they also chose some particularly good quartets. I have a bunch of Onslow, so I know what you mean, not necessarily that I agree with you, but I understand anyway. Maybe this disk is available on a streaming service... :-\
8)
POST COPIED HERE (DATE DECEMBER 10, 2018) FROM ANOTHER ONSLOW THREAD - we have a number of
George Onslow THREADS - this one seems to be the longest, so I'm taking 2 posts (this one and the next) from a shorter thread - both our my own and fairly recent. Dave :)
The post and my reply below were in the 'Purchases Thread' late last month - I already owned a number of
Onslow's String Quintets, so was curious 'how many' he wrote and whether the 3 volume Naxos series were going to duplicate what I had in my collection - SO, put together a list of the composer's opus numbers in this genre, nearly 3 dozen - w/ the addition of Naxos V. 2 & 3, I now have 14 of these quintets - thought this list should belong in the short and neglected thread on Onslow; hopefully, some more contributions will follow. Dave :)
Quote from: The new erato on November 26, 2018, 12:26:03 PM
I have these on preorder:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71tyuzX0cNL._SY355_.jpg) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51G1HTrdLxL._SS500.jpg) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71bEeSUMxYL._SL1200_.jpg)
The first 2 volumes have been highly enjoyable.
Hi
New Erato - I'm a big
George Onslow fan (20+ CDs at the moment), so the Vol. 3 offering above piqued my interest - checking his Composition List (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_George_Onslow), he wrote 34
String Quintets (see first quote below) for those interested - SO, had to see what I already owned - nearly a third w/ just one duplication (second quote) - AND surprisingly, the 4 quintets on the Naxos V. 2 & 3 (own V. 1) are not in my collection - will put on my 'want list' - thanks. Dave :)
.
QuoteOp. 1 - 3 Quintets (1806) (Nos. 1-3)
Op. 17, 18, 19 (1821) (Nos. 4, 5, 6)
Op. 23, 24, 25 (1823) (Nos. 7, 8, 9)
Op. 32, 33, 34, 35 (1826-28) (Nos. 10-13)
Op. 37, 38, 39, 40 (1828-30) (Nos. 14-17)
Op. 43, 44, 45 (1832) (Nos. 18-20)
Op. 51 (1834) (No. 21)
Op. 57, 58, 59 (1835-37) (Nos. 22-24)
Op. 61 (1837) (No. 25)
Op. 67, 68 (1843-44) (Nos. 26, 27)
Op. 72, 73, 74, 75 (1847-48) (Nos. 28-31)
Op. 78 (1848) (No. 32)
Op. 80,82 (1849-50) (Nos. 33, 34)
QuoteGeorge Onslow's String Quintets Owned:
No. 10 F minor - Op. 32*
No. 11 E minor - Op. 33"
No. 12 A minor - Op. 34+
No. 13 G Major - Op. 35+
No. 15 C minor - Op. 38+
No. 19 C minor - Op. 44#
No. 20 D minor - Op. 45*
No. 22 EF Major - Op. 57*
No. 26 C minor - Op. 67*+
No. 27 D Major - Op. 68^
No. 28 G minor - Op. 72*
No. 29 E FMajor - Op. 73*
No. 30 B FMajor - Op. 74"
No. 33 C minor - Op. 80^
*Elan Quintet (Naxos)
+Quintett Momento Musicale (MDG)
"Ensemble Concertant Frankfurt (MDG)
^Sextuor a Cordes France (Erato)
#Mandelring Quartett (CPO)
SECOND POST (AUGUST 18, 2019) BROUGHT FROM ANOTHER TREAD - Dave :)
Quoted below is a post just left in the Listening Thread, which I wanted to repost here - just a note to our mods, i.e. there are 3 'short' threads below on George Onslow - can these be combined? Might help others just to find one link in a search. Dave :)
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,27654.msg1187992.html#msg1187992
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,652.0.html
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,13552.0.html
QuoteOnslow, George - Piano Trios w/ Trio Cascades - 4 discs - listening yesterday and this morning; Onslow wrote 10 'Piano Trios' (i.e. piano, violin, & cello) as shown below w/ a long time gap between Op. 26/27 and Op. 81 (he died in 1853) - all of the trios are included on the CDs in this series. Dave :)
QuoteOp. 3, No. 1-3 (1806)
Op. 14, No. 1-3 (1818)
Op. 20 (1822)
Op. 26 & 27 (1824)
Op. 83 (1851)
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51z1T5VVXPL.jpg) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HjVI3GIlL.jpg) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81kFrd3E8IL._SL1200_.jpg)
Well, I'm up to about 28 George(s) Onslow discs - only a couple of additions in the last few years, shown below - the Op. 30 & 81 are wind chamber works; the Howard Shelley solo piano disc is a mixture of works from Spohr & Onslow - reviews attached, for those interested. Dave :)
.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518ARBDRaWL.jpg) (https://img.discogs.com/epeXPiY5AutJrae2dzrzU2wGxbY=/fit-in/600x596/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-11657288-1520156730-6227.jpeg.jpg)
George Onslow's String Quintet output - just an update - Onslow wrote 34 String Quintets (Opus Numbers and Actual Numbers below on the left) - on the right are the ones in my collection, now up to 16 w/ the recording groups indicated - many of the CD covers have been shown in the previous posts here. Now need to compile similar lists of the String Quartets - Dave :)
P.S. - click to enlarge!
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-4tdFkdF/0/38c9db45/O/OnslowQuitetOutput.png)
ADDENDUM: - in the quote below, I needed some clarification myself - still own 16 out of 34 String Quintets, but these works are on 9 CDs w/ 3 discs w/ the Elan Quintet, and 2 discs w/ Quintett Momento Musicale - edits made below w/ the album numbers added for those who may want to 'search out' these recordings.
QuoteGeorge Onslow's String Quintets Owned:
No. 10 F minor - Op. 32*
No. 11 E minor - Op. 33"
No. 12 A minor - Op. 34+
No. 13 G Major - Op. 35+
No. 15 C minor - Op. 38+@
No. 16 E Major - Op. 39@
No. 17 B minor - Op. 40@
No. 19 C minor - Op. 44#
No. 20 D minor - Op. 45*
No. 22 EF Major - Op. 57*
No. 26 C minor - Op. 67*+
No. 27 D Major - Op. 68^
No. 28 G minor - Op. 72*
No. 29 E F Major - Op. 73*
No. 30 B F Major - Op. 74"
No. 33 C minor - Op. 80^
*Elan Quintet x 3 Vols. (Naxos 573600; 573689; 573887)
+Quintett Momento Musicale x 2 (MDG 1253-2 & 1390 2 )
"Ensemble Concertant Frankfurt (MDG 603 1233-2)
^Sextuor a Cordes France (Erato 88252)
#Mandelring Quartett (CPO 777 151-2)
@L'Archibudelli (Vivarte-Sony 64 308)
Onslow's String Quartet output - yesterday, I looked at my collection of George's 'String Quartets'; from a Wiki composition list, he wrote 36 SQuartets (SQs) (first pic below, left column w/ Opus numbers, dates, & actual numbers) - in the right column are the 5 CDs that I own currently which total 13 SQs w/ just one overlap (No. 30).
Well, that's only about a third of Onslow's output in this genre - must be more? So, looked on Amazon USA and several sites across the pond - and indeed, another group Quatuor Ruggieri has recorded 2 CDs on an obscure French label (both shown below) - the SQs on these discs are Nos. 9, 11, 15 and 4, 6, 12; of those 6 works, I own 2 - however, these seem to be OOP - the first CD below is offered as a MP3 DL at Presto, but the other does not seen to be available (need to look further?) - this morning, I did listened to that first recording (w/ Nos. 4, 6, 12) on Spotify - excellent performance and sound (plus an attached commendable review of the other recording by Dubins!) - Dave :)
P.S. these are on Amazon but at high prices - will do some more searching today - hopefully, others may 'chime in' w/ comments?
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-5pqQJ2r/0/ee2e52ec/O/OnslowSQs3.png) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81WYJZlI33L._SL1500_.jpg) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71tsWWY8G6L._SL1500_.jpg)
@SonicMan46 Quite the Onslow devotee. Which String Quintet(s) and Piano Quintet(s) do you recommend for those looking for Beethoven-esque storm (not necessarily sunny or autumnal)?
Quote from: lordlance on August 20, 2024, 02:13:00 PM@SonicMan46 Quite the Onslow devotee. Which String Quintet(s) and Piano Quintet(s) do you recommend for those looking for Beethoven-esque storm (not necessarily sunny or autumnal)?
Hi
Lordlance - in all honesty, I've not listened to Onslow since my last post, although for the last nearly a year I've been going through my collection and am up to the 'Ns' so George is coming up soon - ;D
As to wanting 'something' like the late Beethoven
String Quartets, you're likely barking up the wrong tree - I can't give you any advice for that direction - my best suggestion is to look at what has been mentioned in my posts and try to do some free streaming such as Spotify and see what you may like? Sorry to be so vague but hope you can find something of interest. Dave :)
Onslow is not like late Beethoven, more like a mix between middle Beethoven and Mendelssohn (disregarding the latters quartets opp.12+13 that are close to some late Beethoven in some respects). If you want historical instruments, try the disc by L'archibudelli (Sony).