No thread for Leo Ornstein? I can fix that.
(http://www.otherminds.org/images/GIFS1/Leocolor.gif)
Favorites include:
17 Waltzes
Cello Sonata #2
Piano Quintet
Piano sonatas #4, 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijhDi-PDfLk
This is something that I think is worth everyone's time.
I stumbled across his name in a Naxos catalogue a while ago, and had to double-check his lifespan. That's extraordinary! Can't be too many people, let alone composers, whose life spans three centuries.
Wow, you're making my job soooo hard!! I try to quell the jealousy over your coups!! Ack, and I coulda had Ornstein!! :laugh:
I think I remember the Piano Quintet sounding a little more rollicking than the Bloch, which is saying something!
Ornstein's Porn Stain?
I know, I know,... :-[ :-\
Hmm, an Ornstein piano quintet, eh?
Or would it be "Ornstein's Submarine"?
semi-complete works list:
Orchestral
===========================================
Evening Song of the Cossack, chbr orch, op.14 no.1, 1923
Piano Conc., 1923
Lysistrata Suite, 1930
Nocturne and Dance of the Fates, c1937
Chamber
====================================
Sonata, op.31, violin, piano, c1915
3 Russian Impressions, violin, piano, Op.37, 1916
Sonata, op.26, violin, piano, c1918
Composition Nr.1, cello, piano
2 Sonatas, op.52, cello, piano, c1918 - c1920
Piano Quintet, 1927
2 Cello Pieces, Op.33, early 20th century
String Quartet no.1, op.28, c1929
String Quartet no.2, op.99, c1929
String Quartet no.3, 1976
6 Preludes, cello, piano, 1931
Nocturne for Clarinet & Piano, 1952
Ballade for Saxophone & Piano, 1955
Allegro (Intermezzo), flute, piano, 1959
Fantasy Pieces, viola, piano, 1972
Hebraic Fantasy, violin, piano, 1975
3 Pieces: Prelude-Intermezzo-Poem, flute, piano, 1979
Ballade for Bb Clarinet
Waltz for Violin & Piano
Violin Sonata Nr.3, 2009
Piano (solo unless otherwise stated)
==========================
6 Lyric Fancies, op.10, 1911
A Paris Street Scene at Night, op.4 no.3, 1912
Suicide in an Airplane, c1913
Pièce, pf 4 hands, op.19 no.1, 1913
Wild Men's Dance (Danse sauvage), op.13 no.2, c1913
3 Preludes, op.20, c1914
Suite russe, op.12, c1914
Three Moods, 1914
Cossack Impressions, op.14, c1914
Impressions de la Tamise, op.13 no.1, 1914
Impressions de Notre Dame, op.16 nos.1–2, 1914
Dwarf Suite, op.11, c1915
A la Chinoise, op.39, c1918
Poems of 1917, op.41, 1918 [after W. Frank]
Serenade, op.5 nos.1–2, 1918A la Mexicana, op.35, c1920
Arabesques, op.42, c1920
6 Watercolors, op.80, c1921
2 Improvisations, pf 4 hands, op.95, 1921
Nocturnes nos.1–2, c1922
Sonata no.4, c1924
2 Lyric Pieces, c1924
15 Waltzes and 42 numbered pieces, 1950–72
Tarantelle diabolique, 1960
5 Intermezzi, 1965–8
3 Landscapes, 1968
A Morning in the Woods, 1971
Some New York Scenes, 1971
Biography in Sonata Form, 1974
Burlesca, 1976Impromptu no.1 (Epitaph), no.2 (A Bit of Nostalgia), 1976
A Dream almost Forgotten, 1978
An Autumn Fantasy, 1978
Barbaro, 1978
5 pieces, 1978
Just a Fun Piece, 1978
The Recruit and the Bugler, 1978
A Small Carnival, 1978
Valse diabolique, 1978
A Reverie, 1979
Chromatic Dance, 1980
Sonata no.6, c1981
The Deserted Garden, 1981
2 Legends, 1982, Sonata no.7, 1988
Sonata no.8, 1990
Works for children
Quote from: Maestro267 on September 02, 2017, 06:11:54 AM
I stumbled across his name in a Naxos catalogue a while ago, and had to double-check his lifespan. That's extraordinary! Can't be too many people, let alone composers, whose life spans three centuries.
I discovered
Leo Ornstein many decades ago: another marvelous creation of Eastern European Jewry, and chased away by the ungentle Gentiles around him,
Ornstein became an enigma, a sensationalist who eventually tired of sensations, an "ultra-modernist" whose music could be as Romantic as
Rachmaninov's, as proven by one of his last works:
https://www.youtube.com/v/TPnyct6P52A
Quote from: Maestro267 on September 02, 2017, 11:10:56 AM
Or would it be "Ornstein's Submarine"?
something like that... is it "stine" or "steen"? "Frankensteen" :laugh:
Quote from: Cato on September 03, 2017, 02:49:57 AM
I discovered Leo Ornstein many decades ago: another marvelous creation of Eastern European Jewry, and chased away by the ungentle Gentiles around him, Ornstein became an enigma, a sensationalist who eventually tired of sensations, an "ultra-modernist" whose music could be as Romantic as Rachmaninov's, as proven by one of his last works:
https://www.youtube.com/v/TPnyct6P52A
Nice, thanks for sharing.
Quote from: snyprrr on September 03, 2017, 06:04:25 AM
something like that... is it "stine" or "steen"? "Frankensteen" :laugh:
I always thought it was "stine"... ???
Quote from: schnittkease on September 03, 2017, 08:55:50 AM
I always thought it was "stine"... ???
It is: "ei" in German is always a long "i" (eye) sound, despite what one might hear in Noo Yawk City! ;)
Ornstein: Music for wild men!
https://www.youtube.com/v/Ii3oEVz1rVg
https://www.youtube.com/v/3Qi6pnb7hRQ
Allegro barbaro!
https://www.youtube.com/v/ijhDi-PDfLk
P.
Quote from: Cato on September 03, 2017, 02:49:57 AM
I discovered Leo Ornstein many decades ago: another marvelous creation of Eastern European Jewry, and chased away by the ungentle Gentiles around him, Ornstein became an enigma, a sensationalist who eventually tired of sensations, an "ultra-modernist" whose music could be as Romantic as Rachmaninov's, as proven by one of his last works:
https://www.youtube.com/v/TPnyct6P52A
Very nice!
Quote from: pjme on September 04, 2017, 01:03:22 AM
Ornstein: Music for wild men!
https://www.youtube.com/v/Ii3oEVz1rVg
https://www.youtube.com/v/3Qi6pnb7hRQ
Allegro barbaro!
https://www.youtube.com/v/ijhDi-PDfLk
P.
All real wild men love
Allegro Barbaro ! 8)
:)
I can easily melt away on the sounds of gentle music (from a Mediaeval complainte to RVW, Debussy...) , but a regular dose of "danse sauvage & barbaric onslaught" keeps me alert and equally happy. I have no recordings (yet) of music by Ornstein, but I'll gladly add him to my collection of "wild composers" - Mossolov, Jolivet, Ruggles et al.
Possibly a strict teacher could have disciplined him a bit, but the sheer exuberance of this music is already a joyous gift. And, yes, he can be as sweet as Rachmaninov.
P.
1893-2002, methinks.
Quote from: Cato on September 03, 2017, 09:25:07 AM
It is: "ei" in German is always a long "i" (eye) sound, despite what one might hear in Noo Yawk City! ;)
Some people still say "Bernstein" as "Bernsteen" but at least it should rhyme with "Ornstein".
The funny part is in Israel his name is pronounced "Lee-o-nard".
I just listened to this, shades of Reflets dans l'eau by Debussy:
https://www.youtube.com/v/Z-XzRU_32Ec
I wonder how many people can claim they lived in three centuries. They must be a very exclusive club!
Ornstein's two cello sonatas are among the finest in the genre and deserve to be part of the standard cello repertoire. The First a deeply emotional work that recalls Bloch, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff. Its slow movement is particularly powerful as is the "fading into the abyss" ending. The Second is a lighter, more impressionistic work with a ravishingly beautiful opening.
Latest on ionarts:
Dip Your Ears No. 230 (Leo Ornstein's
Heterogeneous Box of Chocolates)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D23O69nWsAEGwxH.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2019/03/dip-your-ears-no-230-leo-ornsteins.html)
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00D4AZXAK.01.L.jpg)
Leo Ornstein, Piano Music vol.2
Arsentiy Kharitonov
Toccata Classics (https://amzn.to/2Tyb4V1)
(https://static1.squarespace.com/static/535b1726e4b0b90ffe0cc0b3/t/53967368e4b053c664d7d361/1402368931830/LSQcover1Ornstein.jpg?format=1000w)
It looks like this composer is not very commented here. Anyway, the two works on this disc are impressive, absorbing, intense and even sensuous. The Piano Quintet is a true revelation, it's up there with the greatest ones in my opinion. It's beyond me why it's not well known. The String Quartet No. 3 is not far in greatness. It's a bit more dissonant, but they are dissonances that suggest sensuality. Both works have some sort of Oriental or Jewish flavour, which gives more appeal and enjoyment. I was utterly marveled by his musical idiom.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on June 04, 2019, 02:36:27 PM
(https://static1.squarespace.com/static/535b1726e4b0b90ffe0cc0b3/t/53967368e4b053c664d7d361/1402368931830/LSQcover1Ornstein.jpg?format=1000w)
It looks like this composer is not very commented here. Anyway, the two works on this disc are impressive, absorbing, intense and even sensuous. The Piano Quintet is a true revelation, it's up there with the greatest ones in my opinion. It's beyond me why it's not well known. The String Quartet No. 3 is not far in greatness. It's a bit more dissonant, but they are dissonances that suggest sensuality. Both works have some sort of Oriental or Jewish flavour, which gives more appeal and enjoyment. I was utterly marveled by his musical idiom.
Very interesting Cesar. I only have a Naxos CD of his piano music but must look out for the Piano Quintet - especially after your recommendation of the one by Bax, which was a revelation to me.
I second the Piano Quintet recommendation. Piano Sonata No. 4 is a fine work as well, especially in the hands of Arsentiy Kharitonov (see the above Toccata Classics series).
Quote from: vandermolen on June 04, 2019, 02:40:49 PM
Very interesting Cesar. I only have a Naxos CD of his piano music but must look out for the Piano Quintet - especially after your recommendation of the one by Bax, which was a revelation to me.
I'm pretty sure you're gonna like it. To compare it with something else, it's close to Bloch's
Piano Quintet No. 1.
Quote from: schnittkease on June 04, 2019, 04:14:18 PM
I second the Piano Quintet recommendation. Piano Sonata No. 4 is a fine work as well, especially in the hands of Arsentiy Kharitonov (see the above Toccata Classics series).
Being enthralled by this composer, this will be on my radar very soon. Thanks.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on June 04, 2019, 04:20:10 PM
I'm pretty sure you're gonna like it. To compare it with something else, it's close to Bloch's Piano Quintet No. 1.
I've ordered the one you posted above. After the Bloch comparison my nerve went and I ordered it.
::)
I don't think you'll be regretting this one.
Quote from: ahinton on September 04, 2017, 07:03:54 AM
1893-2002, methinks.
WIKIPEDIA says 1895. Poor guy the one who cares enough to start a thread cant get his year of birth right.
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 05, 2019, 03:05:01 PM
WIKIPEDIA says 1895. Poor guy the one who cares enough to start a thread cant get his year of birth right.
Me being that "poor guy," I take mild offense to your comment. ahinton is right; Grove Music (https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.20486) (just a smidge more reliable than Wikipedia) gives Dec 2,
1893 as Ornstein's date of birth.
Quote from: schnittkease on June 05, 2019, 07:54:18 PM
Me being that "poor guy," I take mild offense to your comment. ahinton is right; Grove Music (https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.20486) (just a smidge more reliable than Wikipedia) gives Dec 2, 1893 as Ornstein's date of birth.
I am sorry the "poor guy" is referring to Ornstein not you. This is really fascinating for someone who seems like a major composer/performer and someone who lived to such an extraordinary age his year of birth is uncertain.
Wikipedia says 1895
Groves 1892.
Here is a NYTimes article saying it could be 1893:
https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/05/arts/leo-ornstein-108-pianist-and-avant-garde-composer.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/05/arts/leo-ornstein-108-pianist-and-avant-garde-composer.html)
Leo Ornstein was born in December of either 1892 or 1893, said his son, Severo
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on June 04, 2019, 02:36:27 PM
(https://static1.squarespace.com/static/535b1726e4b0b90ffe0cc0b3/t/53967368e4b053c664d7d361/1402368931830/LSQcover1Ornstein.jpg?format=1000w)
It looks like this composer is not very commented here. Anyway, the two works on this disc are impressive, absorbing, intense and even sensuous. The Piano Quintet is a true revelation, it's up there with the greatest ones in my opinion. It's beyond me why it's not well known. The String Quartet No. 3 is not far in greatness. It's a bit more dissonant, but they are dissonances that suggest sensuality. Both works have some sort of Oriental or Jewish flavour, which gives more appeal and enjoyment. I was utterly marveled by his musical idiom.
I'm in total agreement with you, Cesar - the Piano Quintet is a scorching masterpiece. Like you say below, it is "of a feather" with another piano quintet written in the 1920s by a Jewish-American composer, Bloch's 1st. It is perhaps even more intensely spellbinding than that already magnificent work! There's also a great recording of it by Marc-André Hamelin and the Pacifica Quartet on Hyperion. I don't know the 3rd SQ yet but will seek it out. Ornstein's two cello sonatas also get top recommendations from me. The 1st is tragic and emotional, and the 2nd is sensuously beautiful.
Quote from: kyjo on June 08, 2019, 06:32:30 AM
I'm in total agreement with you, Cesar - the Piano Quintet is a scorching masterpiece. Like you say below, it is "of a feather" with another piano quintet written in the 1920s by a Jewish-American composer, Bloch's 1st. It is perhaps even more intensely spellbinding than that already magnificent work! There's also a great recording of it by Marc-André Hamelin and the Pacifica Quartet on Hyperion. I don't know the 3rd SQ yet but will seek it out. Ornstein's two cello sonatas also get top recommendations from me. The 1st is tragic and emotional, and the 2nd is sensuously beautiful.
Bolded text: I've also come to that conclusion. It's a really riveting piece, full of eloquent and heated moments. I remember hearing one of those cello sonatas on YouTube (I don't recall which one) and I thought it was somewhat touching, with lots of poetry.
The Piano Sonata No. 4 (as recommended earlier by schnittkease, so thank you) is indeed a magical work. Featured by intoxicating passages, lots of orientalism (even there is a strong hint of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade somewhere), poetry galore and brilliant virtuosism. This composer impresses me more and more. Delightful music altogether.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on August 14, 2019, 07:19:15 PM
The Piano Sonata No. 4 (as recommended earlier by schnittkease, so thank you) is indeed a magical work. Featured by intoxicating passages, lots of orientalism (even there is a strong hint of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade somewhere), poetry galore and brilliant virtuosism. This composer impresses me more and more. Delightful music altogether.
Glad you liked it. The next step would probably be the piano music played by Hamelin on Hyperion. This is a superbly played disc that contains music from both ends of his career (including the impressive Piano Sonata No. 8, written in Ornstein's tenth decade).