(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81MDzpdKTtL._SL1210_.jpg)
I thought there was a thread for him. And this is the perfect opportunity to talk about some of his works.
I'm listening to his String Quartet No. 4 from this indispensable set IMO... I'm speechless at the singularity of this peculiar work. It's compelling, distinctive despite it sounds apparently "familiar", but not necessarily so. The very first movement doesn't seem to have a definite predictability, and that masterful counterpoint! "Tchaikovsky meets Taneyev meets Reger in the Alps" would be an apt comparison. Juon is a composer to be taken into account. I don't know many of his works, but for what I've heard so far, there is a distinctive voice here with plenty of exquisite and clever counterpoint.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on January 24, 2022, 05:37:09 PM
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81MDzpdKTtL._SL1210_.jpg)
I thought there was a thread for him. And this is the perfect opportunity to talk about him.
I'm listening to his String Quartet No. 4 from this indispensable set IMO... I'm speechless at the singularity of this peculiar work. It's compelling, distinctive despite it sounds apparently "familiar", but not necessarily so. The very first movement doesn't seem to have a definite predictability, and that masterful counterpoint! "Tchaikovsky meets Taneyev meets Reger in the Alps" would be an apt comparison. Juon is a composer to be taken into account. I don't know many of his works, but for what I've heard so far, there is a distinctive voice here with plenty of exquisite and clever counterpoint.
I love Tchaikovsky and I tolerate Taneyev (far from a favorite Russian composer), but I loathe Reger, so you certainly haven't whetted my appetite for Juon's music at all, Cesar. :D
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 24, 2022, 05:39:03 PM
I love Tchaikovsky and I tolerate Taneyev (far from a favorite Russian composer), but I loathe Reger, so you certainly haven't whetted my appetite for Juon's music at all, Cesar. :D
Likely there is much German-influenced counterpoint in here ;), and I don't deny that, but this is not cliché music. It's really interesting because his use of harmony and sophistication in the gestures make the music rewarding more and more with subsequent listens.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on January 24, 2022, 05:44:38 PM
Likely there is much German-influenced counterpoint in here ;), and I don't deny that, but this is not cliché music. It's really interesting because his use of harmony and sophistication in the gestures make the music rewarding more and more with subsequent listens.
I love Germanic music, Cesar, but this doesn't mean I like Reger's music. Hindemith and K. A. Hartmann, for example, are two composers that I hold in the highest esteem.
Thanks for the tip Cesar. I have these quartets. Everything I've heard so far from Juon is very good. His music grows on the listener.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 24, 2022, 05:39:03 PM
I love Tchaikovsky and I tolerate Taneyev (far from a favorite Russian composer), but I loathe Reger, so you certainly haven't whetted my appetite for Juon's music at all, Cesar. :D
FWIW, John, I find Juon's music
infinitely more appealing than Reger's. For one thing, Juon could actually write good melodies. :D
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on January 24, 2022, 05:37:09 PM
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81MDzpdKTtL._SL1210_.jpg)
I thought there was a thread for him. And this is the perfect opportunity to talk about some of his works.
I'm listening to his String Quartet No. 4 from this indispensable set IMO... I'm speechless at the singularity of this peculiar work. It's compelling, distinctive despite it sounds apparently "familiar", but not necessarily so. The very first movement doesn't seem to have a definite predictability, and that masterful counterpoint! "Tchaikovsky meets Taneyev meets Reger in the Alps" would be an apt comparison. Juon is a composer to be taken into account. I don't know many of his works, but for what I've heard so far, there is a distinctive voice here with plenty of exquisite and clever counterpoint.
Thanks for creating a thread for this truly individual and grossly underrated composer! Yes, his SQs are very good, but once again I must ask: do you know his piano trios, piano quartets, piano quintets, or piano sextet?? They represent Juon in his element at the absolute peak of his powers - melodic, colorful, folksy, quirky, and quite harmonically exploratory in the later works. If I had to single one work out of the bunch, it would be the magnificent Piano Quartet no. 1
Rhapsodie. What singular, dramatic, creative, utterly enchanting music!! Pay no attention to a certain Amazon reviewer who says that the piano quartets are "not tuneful or gripping" - he/she has praised much lesser works to the skies in other reviews, so I'm not quite sure what their deal is. Anyway, I can't recommend these recordings highly enough:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41C64KV3AEL.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61NYfbW0jZL._SY355_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hRh12DcUL._SY355_.jpg)
All of the performances across these discs are uniformly excellent, BTW. Also, YT channel "Bartje Bartmans" has uploaded many score videos of Juon's chamber music; here's the Piano Quartet no. 1: https://youtu.be/xhwtqhMFPC0
I'll repost what I said in the "Pieces that have blown you away recently thread" back in August about the 2-disc set of Juon's complete works for piano trio performed by the Altenberg Trio:
Ignore the rather trite cover art (although, come to think of it, the opening ostinato of the Piano Trio no. 1 is rather train-like)! This is a wonderfully consistent, stimulating, enchanting, and original body of work for piano trio worthy of comparison with anything by the greats. Some GMG members have commented positively on Juon's SQs, but to my mind his substantial body of chamber music with piano is his finest achievement. As a Russian-born Swiss composer, Juon's music defies easy categorization, and that is what makes is so unique and appealing to me. Only in the Piano Trio no. 1 can one detect any hints of, say, Brahms. Juon has a wonderfully distinctive voice which is characterized by an engaging sense of fantasy and formal freedom (without lack of structure or cohesion), inspired and striking melodic material, inventive part-writing, and an absolutely delightful folksy influence which can't resist to rear its head often. Oh, and fortunately the performances by the Altenberg Trio Wein are beyond reproach - aside from being technically brilliant, they are totally inside Juon's idiom and play with fire and sensitivity. The highlight of the set might even be the 13-minute Suite, op. 89, which is full of such delicious invention it made me grin from ear to ear. I urge you to hear it! https://youtu.be/X9_v-Ntijd8
Thanks for the replies, gents! There is much to enjoy and discover in this quirky Swiss-Russian figure.
I'm sure André has this recording of the quartets, which I don't know at all. Both sets must complement each other, I'd consider.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WVosBfK0L.jpg)
Thanks for mentioning those chamber recordings, Kyle! I'm sure I've heard those pieces at least once and I've had good impressions with most of them. Do you know his symphonies? In Sterling label there are a couple of recordings if my memory serves.
The Piano Quartet No. 1 is a unique work indeed, but I struggle with it somewhat. It has a quite indecipherable form that makes it so special and crafted.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on January 24, 2022, 08:41:59 PM
Thanks for the replies, gents! There is much to enjoy and discover in this quirky Swiss-Russian figure.
I'm sure André has this recording of the quartets, which I don't know at all. Both sets must complement each other, I'd consider.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WVosBfK0L.jpg)
Thanks for mentioning those chamber recordings, Kyle! I'm sure I've heard those pieces at least once and I've had good impressions with most of them. Do you know his symphonies? In Sterling label there are a couple of recordings if my memory serves.
The Piano Quartet No. 1 is a unique work indeed, but I struggle with it somewhat. It has a quite indecipherable form that makes it so special and crafted.
Indeed. I commented on the quartets last year (or the year before ?). His clarinet trio is on its way to my mailbox. I look forward to listening to it!
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on January 24, 2022, 08:41:59 PM
Thanks for mentioning those chamber recordings, Kyle! I'm sure I've heard those pieces at least once and I've had good impressions with most of them. Do you know his symphonies? In Sterling label there are a couple of recordings if my memory serves.
The Piano Quartet No. 1 is a unique work indeed, but I struggle with it somewhat. It has a quite indecipherable form that makes it so special and crafted.
Admittedly, I haven't heard any of Juon's orchestral music yet! In addition to those Sterling discs, there's also a CPO recording of his
Rhapsodische Sinfonie and
Sinfonietta capricciosa. I think I'll give that one a spin today and report back! I have a hunch that his chamber output is stronger than his orchestral one, but I may be proven wrong.
Indeed, the form of his Piano Quartet no. 1 and other mature chamber works may be unique and unconventional, but it doesn't hinder my enjoyment of the music. There's so much excellent material and sense of imagination in these works that make them convincing to these ears!
Quote from: kyjo on January 24, 2022, 07:09:24 PM
FWIW, John, I find Juon's music infinitely more appealing than Reger's. For one thing, Juon could actually write good melodies. :D
Reger seems to have multiple personalities. His orchestral music strikes me as too saccharine for my taste, but his chamber music can be quite succinct, particularly the neo-baroque works like the unaccompanied sonatas.
Quote from: Spotted Horses on January 25, 2022, 06:56:11 AM
Reger seems to have multiple personalities. His orchestral music strikes me as too saccharine for my taste, but his chamber music can be quite succinct, particularly the neo-baroque works like the unaccompanied sonatas.
I generally agree with this, but my favorite Reger work by a long shot is his atmospheric
4 Tone Poems after Böcklin which generally avoids the "academic", somewhat "labored" feeling that I get from most of his other works. I used to like his two sets of orchestral variations (Hiller and Mozart), but upon revisiting them recently I wasn't as enamored as before. I like his 3 "neo-Bachian" suites for solo cello reasonably well, but most of his other chamber music that I've tried has left me cold.
Quote from: kyjo on January 25, 2022, 06:47:37 AM
Admittedly, I haven't heard any of Juon's orchestral music yet! In addition to those Sterling discs, there's also a CPO recording of his Rhapsodische Sinfonie and Sinfonietta capricciosa. I think I'll give that one a spin today and report back! I have a hunch that his chamber output is stronger than his orchestral one, but I may be proven wrong.
Earlier today, I listened to this disc:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81NRPod5JzL._SY355_.jpg)
....and it turns out my hunch was correct! These are two of Juon's final works, both composed in 1939. The
Rhapsodische Sinfonie is a huge, 55-minute construct, and let's just say I didn't have any desire to continue with it after the rambling, unremarkable first movement. ::) The
Sinfonietta capricciosa was better, with a particularly entertaining finale, but it still suffers from lack of memorability. It's amazing how uneven some composers can be! Has anyone heard the two Sterling discs of Juon's earlier orchestral works? Are they any good?
Quote from: kyjo on January 25, 2022, 07:08:43 PM
Earlier today, I listened to this disc:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81NRPod5JzL._SY355_.jpg)
....and it turns out my hunch was correct! These are two of Juon's final works, both composed in 1939. The Rhapsodische Sinfonie is a huge, 55-minute construct, and let's just say I didn't have any desire to continue with it after the rambling, unremarkable first movement. ::) The Sinfonietta capricciosa was better, with a particularly entertaining finale, but it still suffers from lack of memorability. It's amazing how uneven some composers can be! Has anyone heard the two Sterling discs of Juon's earlier orchestral works? Are they any good?
You and I definitely have a similar vision and feeling for music. Indeed, the
Sinfonietta has better humour, and the
Rhapsodic Symphony is meandering and few interesting 1st movement, but the subsequent 2nd one is full of gracefulness and certain perky personality.
And the timing for the
Rhapsodic Symphony is about 38 minutes long, not 55! :o
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on January 25, 2022, 07:12:32 PM
You and I definitely have a similar vision and feeling for music. Indeed, the Sinfonietta has better humour, and the Rhapsodic Symphony is meandering and few interesting 1st movement, but the subsequent 2nd one is full of gracefulness and certain perky personality.
And the timing for the Rhapsodic Symphony is about 38 minutes long, not 55! :o
Glad we're in agreement here! ;) Oops, you're right about the timing. I accidentally counted the first movement of the Sinfonietta towards the total.
Just relistening to the awesome Sinfonietta Capricciosa. Gorgeous and glorious stuff.
A soulful and moving slow movement is sandwiched between two eminently cheerful outer movements. Even there are moments where I seem to hear Brahms or Dvorak. Masterfully recorded and performed, what else do others of you need to hear this extraordinary score? :)
Cross-posted from the "blown away" thread:
Juon: Octet in B-flat major for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon & Horn (1905)
https://youtu.be/yWS1lpkTw4s
This magnificent creation confirms Juon as one of my very favorite composers of chamber music. In fact, I'd put him right behind Dvorak and Brahms in that regard! It's an unabashedly joyous and sunny work for a delicious combination of instruments, with melancholy only appearing in the slow movement. Juon's melodic inspiration never ceases to amaze me, also I adore that charming rustic touch that makes his music so distinctive. For example, witness the theme at 2:20 in the first movement: it's so f*#&$*%^ catchy!! Also, the swooning, ultra-romantic theme at 26:20 in the finale is enough to make Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninoff green with envy! Fortunately, the performance in the above video (not sure if it's a commercial recording) does full justice to the work. Cesar, Andre, Andrei, et al. need to hear this!!
Is it only on YT, Kyle ?
Quote from: André on February 23, 2022, 12:05:54 PM
Is it only on YT, Kyle ?
I couldn't find a commercial recording of it, André. But the performance and sound on YT are fabulous. Don't hesitate to hear it!
I will, thanks ! :)
I think that you're referring to this recording, Kyle:
(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/MGB-6243.jpg)
And you're completely spot on. A simply delightful, deep, witty and tuneful piece of music. Andréi, it's a must hear! ;) ;D
The YT link has the score as visual background and it does state: op 27. OTOH the caption right underneath says op. 27a. Could the Kammersinfonie be the Octet ? Or a different version/instrumentarium ?
Edit: the back cover of the Musiques suisses CD lists 8 performers, so it would seem the two titles refer to the same work :)
Exactly, André. Moreover, Wikipedia lists a Kammersinfonie B-Dur for string orchestra, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano after the Octet (1905). Interesting combinations of forces for each of the three versions.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on February 26, 2022, 03:17:21 PM
I think that you're referring to this recording, Kyle:
(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/MGB-6243.jpg)
And you're completely spot on. A simply delightful, deep, witty and tuneful piece of music. Andréi, it's a must hear! ;) ;D
Yeah, it appears that the Octet and the Kammersinfonie are one in the same!
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hRh12DcUL.jpg)
This CD contains two extraordinary works! Craftsmanship, good tunes, drama, poetry, etc. are elements that run through this music. Both the Piano Sextet in C minor (Piano+'Cello' Quintet) and the Piano Quintet in F major stand among the finest pieces in chamber repertoire IMO.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 07, 2022, 06:19:33 PM
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hRh12DcUL.jpg)
This CD contains two extraordinary works! Craftsmanship, good tunes, drama, poetry, etc. are elements that run through this music. Both the Piano Sextet in C minor (Piano+'Cello' Quintet) and the Piano Quintet in F major stand among the finest pieces in chamber repertoire IMO.
Absolutely, Cesar! Recently I listened to this disc for the first time:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81BwRbP3S7L._SY355_.jpg)
While I wouldn't place these two works on par with his chamber music in terms of individuality and memorability, I enjoyed them more than the
Rhapsodische Sinfonie and
Sinfonietta capricciosa on that CPO disc.
Vaegtervise is a colorful fantasy on Danish folk songs with some effective use of the chimes, and the Symphony showcases both the German and Russian influences on Juon's music. The first movement (
Come Passacaglia) carries some expected Brahmsian echoes, and the scherzo and finale contain the unmistakable Russian stamp of Kalinnikov, Glazunov, and Tchaikovsky. The Moscow SO sound quite a bit more inspired here than they did under a certain other conductor... ;)
Quote from: kyjo on March 07, 2022, 07:16:05 PM
Absolutely, Cesar! Recently I listened to this disc for the first time:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81BwRbP3S7L._SY355_.jpg)
While I wouldn't place these two works on par with his chamber music in terms of individuality and memorability, I enjoyed them more than the Rhapsodische Sinfonie and Sinfonietta capricciosa on that CPO disc. Vaegtervise is a colorful fantasy on Danish folk songs with some effective use of the chimes, and the Symphony showcases both the German and Russian influences on Juon's music. The first movement (Come Passacaglia) carries some expected Brahmsian echoes, and the scherzo and finale contain the unmistakable Russian stamp of Kalinnikov, Glazunov, and Tchaikovsky. The Moscow SO sound quite a bit more inspired here than they did under a certain other conductor... ;)
Good to know you're enjoying this Sterling releases. I concur with what you say here. There seems to be German craftsmanship and counterpoint, whilst, on the another hand, the Russian-folksy element to the music is present as well. I read elsewhere Rachmaninov though of him like "the Russian Brahms". Along with Taneyev, I could agree with both associations.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Um0O2qiHL.jpg)
The more I listen to this composer's music, the more I'm convinced by his talent. I was listening to his Episodes Concertants, a concerto for piano trio and orchestra, and quite an interesting piece it is. It is 38 minutes long where the music seems to oscillate between Romanticism a la Rachmaninov and a sort of slight Neoclassical language. I don't know how to put that into words better, but the final impression is that of a work with substance.
I still continue discovering interesting works by this composer. This CD contains music for two violins and piano, and it's a whole joy; little pieces with variegated moods (even folksy at times) full of spark. From the charming Idyll (Silhouettes I) that opens the program one knows that the music is going to be attractive, and effectively it is.
(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/MGB-6284.jpg)
Toccata has made some very fine recordings, but this is not one of them I'm afraid, not to mention the performances themselves. I didn't feel the viola sonatas weren't well interpreted (ditto the Romanza for viola and piano), I'm sure they can sound better in the right hands. On the other hand, the Silhouettes for violin viola and piano and the Trio-Miniaturen (for the same forces) managed to captivate me much better. They saved the CD IMO.
(https://storage.highresaudio.com/2022/05/31/kburzs-pauljuonch-preview-m3.jpg)
The Violin Concerto No. 2 of Paul Join. Do you like it? Write everything you want about it.
Sybille Tschopp, violin
Stadtorchester Winterthur conducted by Nicholas Carthey
I feel like you are trying to stump us now by posting less and less famous music ;D
I have never heard the concertos but enjoy the chamber music with violin, like that "Musiques Suisses" album Symphonic Addict posted above. The Silhouettes are very charming.
Quote from: Brian on May 30, 2023, 04:13:22 PMI feel like you are trying to stump us now by posting less and less famous music ;D
Well, I hope that at least sometimes I'm able to post works that not all people know, so that they know new works.
That said, that's a nice violin concerto, so I recommend it.
Quote from: W.A. Mozart on May 30, 2023, 08:24:34 AMThe Violin Concerto No. 2 of Paul Join. Do you like it? Write everything you want about it.
Sybille Tschopp, violin
Stadtorchester Winterthur conducted by Nicholas Carthey
I haven't heard it yet; will give it a spin later. That said, thus far I've noticed a rather significant gap in quality between Juon's magnificent chamber output and his orchestral works. In particular, I found the CPO disc containing his overlong
Rhapsodische Sinfonie to be quite a disappointment (the accompanying
Sinfonietta capricciosa is a bit better, but still nothing too special).
I disagree regarding his orchestral works. The early symphonies, Vaegtervise, the Sinfonietta capricciosa, contain material enough to hold the attention, the same goes to Episodes concertants for piano trio and orchestra. I haven't heard the violin concertos either, but I'll do soon.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 31, 2023, 05:02:21 PMI disagree regarding his orchestral works. The early symphonies, Vaegtervise, the Sinfonietta capricciosa, contain material enough to hold the attention, the same goes to Episodes concertants for piano trio and orchestra. I haven't heard the violin concertos either, but I'll do soon.
I do recall
Vaegtervise being a fine work. I shouldn't let my negative experience with the
Rhapsodische Sinfonie color my impression of the rest of Juon's orchestral output!
Quote from: W.A. Mozart on May 30, 2023, 08:24:34 AMThe Violin Concerto No. 2 of Paul Join. Do you like it? Write everything you want about it.
Sybille Tschopp, violin
Stadtorchester Winterthur conducted by Nicholas Carthey
Yesterday I heard his first two violin concertos. The 1st one in B minor turned out to be the greater and more memorable work, whilst the 2nd one in D minor sounded more diffuse to my ears. The 3rd mov. was the highlight of that work.