I just saw this for cheap at amazon--I'm a fan of some of his film scores but I haven't heard his piano concertos. Anyone have it?
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41iLXMFqfhL._AA240_.jpg)(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41u39kK2csL._AA240_.jpg)
The Rawsthorne Piano concs 1-2 are somewhere between Faurean imagination and Medtnerian rigour and stoicism, both choked with an inward, contained sort of passion.
Yes, I have those and they are OK, but I like his Violin Concerti a bit better.
There are a few NAXOS CDs of his music, piano concerti, violin concerti and some chamber works. His music is not your typical English pastoral music nor thorny. Sean's description of "inward, contained passion" is right on the mark.
Quote from: tjguitar on May 07, 2007, 09:39:18 PM
I just saw this for cheap at amazon--I'm a fan of some of his film scores but I haven't heard his piano concertos. Anyone have it?
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41iLXMFqfhL._AA240_.jpg)(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41u39kK2csL._AA240_.jpg)
Well worth exploring, both of them.
For film music fans, this is a great disc. "The Cruel Sea" is a wonderfully atmospheric score:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rawsthorne-Film-Music-Alan/dp/B00004RDVO/ref=sr_1_22/026-0945451-0042845?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1179213284&sr=1-22
Quote from: tjguitar on May 07, 2007, 09:39:18 PM
I just saw this for cheap at amazon--I'm a fan of some of his film scores but I haven't heard his piano concertos. Anyone have it?
TJ,
Did you ever pursue this CD?
I'd be interested to hear how the Chandos recording compares to the Naxos one.
We are (almost) spoilt for choice with Rawsthorne's Piano Concerti!
There is the Chandos version(noted above) with Geoffrey Tozer. That CD also has the Double Piano Concerto as coupling.
There is the Naxos version(8.555959) with the excellent Peter Donohoe and coupled with the Improvisations on a theme by Constant Lambert.
And there is recently reissued Lyrita version(SRCD255) with Malcolm Binns and coupled with the Symphonic Studies(often cited as Rawsthorne's masterpiece) and the Overture "Street Corner".
Not forgetting earlier versions of the lst Piano Concerto with Moura Lympany and the 2nd by Denis Matthews(EMI CDM5 66935-2) which is still available on Amazon and the BBC Radio Classics CD with John Ogden playing the 2nd and joined by Brenda Lucas for the Double Concerto premiere. This last CD-which has Robert Simpson's Piano Concerto as well!-is probably much harder to find these days.
The Binns performances on Lyrita are, perhaps, showing their age a little but you do get Pritchard's fine version of the Symphonic Studies. I prefer Donohoe to Tozer in the Piano Concerti but there is little to choose. Get both would be my advice(if you can!)
Quote from: Dm on December 09, 2007, 05:52:16 AM
TJ,
Did you ever pursue this CD?
I did not. I did however pick up the Cello Concerto and Oboe Concerto on NAXOS. I don't remember much about it. perhaps I owe it another listen.
quote author=tjguitar link=topic=786.msg240629#msg240629 date=1224959829]
I did not. I did however pick up the Cello Concerto and Oboe Concerto on NAXOS. I don't remember much about it. perhaps I owe it another listen.
[/quote]
Perhaps you do ;D
The Oboe Concerto is a delightful piece. The Cello Concerto is a bit tougher and not perhaps among the very greatest of British cello concertos but nevertheless a worthy addition to the canon. Its neglect over the past 40 years is astonishing- but then there are other British cello concertos which have suffered even worse neglect(the Brian, the Lennox Berkeley and the Cooke).
I would add to what I wrote in December that the three Rawsthorne symphonies are distinguished works and either of the two sets is worth buying.
The 1st Symphony ranks with the Symphonic Studies as Rawsthorne at his very best-vigorous, dynamic, incisive music-but the 2nd, the Pastoral, is an underestimated work of real beauty, albeit melancholic beauty, while the more thorny 3rd has a magnificent Sarabande as its second movement.
Rawsthorne is one of those British composers whose music is too often ignored and deserves to be played more often(but probably never will be now :() There is often a certain dryness, an asperity, a lack of a certain measure of warmth which means that I find him a composer I can respect, admire but not love as I can say Rubbra or Alwyn.
Quote
Perhaps you do Grin
The Oboe Concerto is a delightful piece.
Truth be told i'm not a huge fan of the oboe in general. But I will take another listen. :)
Quote from: Dundonnell on October 25, 2008, 12:24:48 PM
quote author=tjguitar link=topic=786.msg240629#msg240629 date=1224959829]
I did not. I did however pick up the Cello Concerto and Oboe Concerto on NAXOS. I don't remember much about it. perhaps I owe it another listen.
Perhaps you do ;D
The Oboe Concerto is a delightful piece. The Cello Concerto is a bit tougher and not perhaps among the very greatest of British cello concertos but nevertheless a worthy addition to the canon. Its neglect over the past 40 years is astonishing- but then there are other British cello concertos which have suffered even worse neglect(the Brian, the Lennox Berkeley and the Cooke).
I would add to what I wrote in December that the three Rawsthorne symphonies are distinguished works and either of the two sets is worth buying.
The 1st Symphony ranks with the Symphonic Studies as Rawsthorne at his very best-vigorous, dynamic, incisive music-but the 2nd, the Pastoral, is an underestimated work of real beauty, albeit melancholic beauty, while the more thorny 3rd has a magnificent Sarabande as its second movement.
Rawsthorne is one of those British composers whose music is too often ignored and deserves to be played more often(but probably never will be now :() There is often a certain dryness, an asperity, a lack of a certain measure of warmth which means that I find him a composer I can respect, admire but not love as I can say Rubbra or Alwyn.
Totally agree with this view although I do love Rawsthorne's score for 'The Cruel sea' (Chandos/cond Rumon Gamba) which is wonderfully atmospheric sea music. His Symphonic Studies has great depth and poetry despite the rather academic title, which probably did the piece no favours. Symphony No 1 has similar depth.
I have been listening to Rawsthorne's Symphonic Studies (1939) and wanted to put in a plug for it. I think that it is Rawsthorne's masterpiece. Despite the rather academic title, it is a powerful score, which I find oddly moving, in an understated way - rather like some of John Irelan'ds work. There are three recordings (Constant Lambert, John Pritchard and the Naxos below). The Naxos CD is an excellent introduction to Rawsthorne's music. There is a good review of it on the Amazon UK site.
I'll join you in praise for Rawsthorne's Symphonic Studies, and add that his Concertante pastorale for Flute, Horn & Strings (a world premiere recording of which can be found on Naxos, catalogue number 8.553567) is also well worth getting to know.
FK
Quote from: Kuhlau on March 15, 2009, 11:32:25 AM
I'll join you in praise for Rawsthorne's Symphonic Studies, and add that his Concertante pastorale for Flute, Horn & Strings (a world premiere recording of which can be found on Naxos, catalogue number 8.553567) is also well worth getting to know.
FK
Thanks, I shall look out for that work.
Quote from: Kuhlau on March 15, 2009, 11:32:25 AM
I'll join you in praise for Rawsthorne's Symphonic Studies, and add that his Concertante pastorale for Flute, Horn & Strings (a world premiere recording of which can be found on Naxos, catalogue number 8.553567) is also well worth getting to know.
FK
I agree with all of you, thus far: the Symphonic Studies are the quintessential Rawsthorne, a marvelous piece. I still prefer Pritchard's Lyrita recording, the most atmospheric reading of it IMHO (but this might be a case of early loves that won't die). Strange that his very first orchestral composition should be his best!
I think something similar happened with Lennox Berkeley: both neoclassicists had their finest hour in the late 1930s and the 1940s. Afther that, "their time" was over and both fled into a more "modern", but also more abstract and less powerful idiom in the 1950s.
Quote from: Christo on March 15, 2009, 12:34:35 PM
I agree with all of you, thus far: the Symphonic Studies are the quintessential Rawsthorne, a marvelous piece. I still prefer Pritchard's Lyrita recording, the most atmospheric reading of it IMHO (but this might be a case of early loves that won't die). Strange that his very first orchestral composition should be his best!
I think something similar happened with Lennox Berkeley: both neoclassicists had their finest hour in the late 1930s and the 1940s. Afther that, "their time" was over and both fled into a more "modern", but also more abstract and less powerful idiom in the 1950s.
Totally agree with you Johan, about both Rawsthorne and Berkeley. The Pritchard is my favourite too, although I have it on LP and not (yet) on CD. I wish that Lyrita had issued it on CD with Symphony No 1 as on LP. My favourite Rawsthornes are Piano Concerto No 2, Symphonic Studies, Symphony No 1,The Cruel Sea, film music and for Berkeley, Symphony No 1, Concerto for two Pianos and Serenade for Strings. Williamson is IMHO another example of the same phenomena with the early Elevamini (Symphony 1) and Violin Concerto being firm favourites. On the continent Klaus Egge and JBS( ;D) are other examples of composers whose early works are, I believe, their best works.
Rawsthorne's Clarinet Concerto preceded the Symphonic Studies...but I take your point :)
Rawsthorne and Berkeley were friends and great admirers of each others music. From Peter Dickinson's book about Berkeley I get the impression that the composer was far from being in tune with many other British composers; he appears to have had little time for Elgar or Vaughan Williams, for example.
Quote from: vandermolen on March 15, 2009, 01:21:55 PM
Totally agree with you Johan, about both Rawsthorne and Berkeley. The Pritchard is my favourite too, although I have it on LP and not (yet) on CD. I wish that Lyrita had issued it on CD with Symphony No 1 as on LP. My favourite Rawsthornes are Piano Concerto No 2, Symphonic Studies, Symphony No 1,The Cruel Sea, film music and for Berkeley, Symphony No 1, Concerto for two Pianos and Serenade for Strings. Williamson is IMHO another example of the same phenomena with the early Elevamini (Symphony 1) and Violin Concerto being firm favourites. On the continent Klaus Egge and JBS( ;D) are other examples of composers whose early works are, I believe, their best works.
No disagreement here ;) - but I confess I don't know the
The Cruel Sea film music (you confessed your love for it so many times, recently, that I'm considering to buy it, if it's still to be found somewhere. :)
Quote from: Dundonnell on March 15, 2009, 01:22:38 PM
Rawsthorne's Clarinet Concerto preceded the Symphonic Studies...but I take your point :)
Rawsthorne and Berkeley were friends and great admirers of each others music. From Peter Dickinson's book about Berkeley I get the impression that the composer was far from being in tune with many other British composers; he appears to have had little time for Elgar or Vaughan Williams, for example.
Point taken!~ I didn't know Berkeley and Rawsthorne were close friends, but I always considered them a rather similar type of composers. I can see why Rawsthorne didn't feel much connected to Elgar or RVW - his own style is really rather different indeed.
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//CHAN9749.htm
By a curious coincidence I have been listening to Rawsthorne's two violin concertos - both wonderful pieces. There is something in Rawsthorne's style that is oddly appealing. He is prickly and poetic at the same time... Why am I reminded of Raymond Chandler and Humphrey Bogart all of a sudden?!
Quote from: Jezetha on March 15, 2009, 02:36:20 PM
By a curious coincidence I have been listening to Rawsthorne's two violin concertos - both wonderful pieces. There is something in Rawsthorne's style that is oddly appealing. He is prickly and poetic at the same time... Why am I reminded of Raymond Chandler and Humphrey Bogart all of a sudden?!
An excellent analysis! 'Prickly and poetic' very true. :)
Rawsthorne SQs 1-3; Theme & Variations for Two Violins/ Maggini Qrt> (NAXOS):
Finally!
I really wanted this to complement the Maggini's Arnold and Alwyn. Though I've never heard these SQs, I had the other Rawsthorne/NAXOS disc of his chamber music (which,...eh,mmm,uh,...is alright for what it's worth), so, I figured I knew what to expect.
The Th&V for Two Violins really has a nice tradjectory(?). It made me want to brush up on this combo (and get the Pettersson!). At this point (1937), I don't know who R is sounding like, it's just nice early modern sounding music.
SQ No.1 (1939) has everything I like in a piece from this year. It, too, is called Theme & Variations, and is in a sectional one mvmt., at 10mins. The Theme is a sinewy up-&-down motif that goes through the paces, maybe feeling a bit of Berg, I don't know. Pijper + Honegger + Berg + ?,... it's in the suburbs here. I like it, not much to say.
SQ No.2 (1954) is getting into the "poetic & thorny" typical '50s stuff, which I ALWAYS find instantly appealing and unappealing at the same time. It has that anonymous gruff and bittersweet yearning that wants to tend towards the hysterical (either R's grateful writing, or the Maggini's nicely recorded ensemble, tends to hold back just enough to keep from being grating). I know I've heard this stuff a hundred times by others, but I can't quite put my finger on it ((Chavez + Malipiero) - Bloch?). This kind of music always tends to challenge; I'm sure I'll warm to it.
I'm saving No.3 (1965) from the drive today. It's the one I am most interested in, though, I must say that I was immediately impressed with No.1.
It's probably not fair to apply a random moniker like "THe English Honegger", but, as the 2nd SQ's finale (more Th&Vs!) begins, that is what I feel like I'm hearing. I think I'm going to be listening to this a lot (makes me really look forward to the drive later!). I do wish I still had the other chamber disc (w/ Violin, Cello, Viola Sonatas, and Piano Trio (all fairly shortish)), but this music for SQ does seem to bring out just a tad "more" out of Rawsthorne than did those other works (which I just wasn't able to assign any personal importance to (yes, who? am I, indeed!)).
There is also a cd on ASV with the SQS (I think there is even an extra, "early" work). I've got to believe that someone here has these pieces, no?
Thanks for the write-up, snyprrr!
Quote from: Jezetha on December 22, 2009, 02:49:21 AM
Thanks for the write-up, snyprrr!
Thanks.
I did listen to
No.3, and must say, of course, it is the most difficult sounding of the three. This is his late phase, after all. It pretty much continues on from
No.2, though quite distilled and thorny (I've been failing to hear too much of the "poetic" side of the coin :D). I'll tell you, I listened to this cd in the car driving in the snow the other day, and, it's NOT snow music, haha!
Therre is a bit of existential ennui in Rawsthorne, I'm thinking. He uses a lot of the rarified harmonies of angst, a la Schoenberg in his String Trio (1949), which od course makes sense. I think 2-3 are the epitome of "tough nuts to crack". Though I'm not totally won over by the sound of semi-hysterical expressionism, Rawsthorne seems to understand the ever increasing need, in his own particular lifetime, of this "way", and, perhaps, we can call him the "Faure of Expressionism"?
The 2violin variations, and SQ No.1 are immediately more attractive, though, they carry the seeds within themselves of the future explosions. I'll continue to work on 2-3.
I just reviewed this Rawsthorne disc on the "what are you listening to" thread & thought I'd post it here.
Rawsthorne
Theme & Variations for two violins (1937)
String Quartet No. 1 (Theme & Variations) (1939)
String Quartets Nos. 2 (1954) & 3 (1965)
Maggini Quartet
Naxos
[asin]B000I2IUWA[/asin]
I bought the Rawsthorne earlier this week, it is the first time I have heard his music. These works come from the 1930's to the '60's. Rawsthorne came from the North of England, and his music reflects the directness and no-nonsense attitude of how we tend to stereotype people from those parts. A book I have describes his music as having "terseness & tension." Norman Lebrecht wrote that he was kind of like a Birtwistle in embryo. Rawsthorne initially studied in Manchester, then went on to Berlin. His music shares a vagueness of tonality common in some other continental European composers around that time, like Frank Martin, Bartok, & especially Hindemith. They are "ambitonal" as one reviewer on Amazon aptly describes. These works are all short and to the point, four works fit onto an hour long disc. Here we have all of his string quartets, except for an unpublished one.
J. S. Bach's Double Violin Concerto immediately came to mind when I first heard the Theme & Variations for two violins. There is something very Baroque about the counterpoint here. This work consists of a theme and 9 variations, the 5th variation marked Notturno being the "pivot." At times I thought I was listening to four violins, not two, so complex are the harmonies here. This was the first work of Rawsthorne's to be recorded, one of the violinists back then in the late '30's was actually his wife.
The String Quartet No. 1 is subtitled Theme and Variations. Obviously, Rawsthorne liked this form. There is a theme and 6 variations, again a slow movement - the 4th movement Adagio - forming the heart of the work. This can be quite an approachable work, if you listen to it a few times.
The String Quartet No. 2 is my favourite work on the disc. The theme is stated at the beginning of the first and second movements. It makes me think of something like when you open a window and a strong rush of air comes into the room. The first and second movements are quite similar, almost as if the second one is like an "alternate take." The second movement has an intense and lyrical theme which leads into the third movement where the main theme is modified. This slow movement has a Bergian sombreness and intensity. The same material is slowed right down at the beginning of the final movement - which is a theme, 5 variations and coda, almost like a mini string quartet in itself. This concision reminds me of Webern, though the style is different. Here, the theme is disassembled & put back together again. There is some counterpoint in the middle which reminds me of Beethoven. The work ends mysteriously, with low notes from the cello accompanied by high notes on the other instruments.
The final String Quartet No. 3 is perhaps the most "difficult" work on the disc. At 7 minutes, the opening movement is the longest track on the disc. It opens with a fragmentary emotional theme played by the violin, which goes in and out of focus as it is taken up by the other instruments. The second movement marked Andante is the emotional core of the work. It has a feeling of mourning and suspension of time which reminds me of Bartok. The final movement is in a lighter mood, nimble and fast. Baroque like rhythms are mixed up with decidedly c20th dynamic shifts. Fragments of the second movement, with it's suspension of time return briefly, accented by heavy chords. The theme from the first movement closes the work.
All in all, I think this is pretty full on music, quite serious. In my limited experience, these works compare very well with other major string quartets of the c20th. I think that it is better to beging exploring Rawsthorne with these smaller scale works, because I imagine his orchestral works to be quite complex. I really enjoy the Magginis playing - I also have their Walton & Bliss discs, and I definitely want to get the Elgar.
Sid, you really should hear Rawthorne's symphonies (he composed three in all). Man, these works are just oozing with 20th Century Modernism. The first and third symphonies share a common jagged or edgy quality which I love, but the second (titled "Pastoral Symphony") is a bit more mellow and has a lovely part for soprano in the final movement, it's so beautiful. You will enjoy these symphonies I'm quite certain. Next I would try to hear the concerti and then Symphonic Studies which isn't a very creative title, but titles aside, the music in this work is just awesome really grand stuff.
Yes, I want to get into his orchestral stuff some time down the track. But before that, I want to further explore his chamber output. That's how I tend to go about things with composers new to me, as chamber music is my favourite genre. So I want to get the other Naxos chamber disc, his music for piano & strings. One thing I like about Rawsthorne is that he really doesn't beat about the bush. A bit like Webern, he gets to the point very quickly, & is never long-winded. I like how his works are very concentrated and direct...
Quote from: Sid on February 06, 2011, 04:15:55 PM
Yes, I want to get into his orchestral stuff some time down the track. But before that, I want to further explore his chamber output. That's how I tend to go about things with composers new to me, as chamber music is my favourite genre. So I want to get the other Naxos chamber disc, his music for piano & strings. One thing I like about Rawsthorne is that he really doesn't beat about the bush. A bit like Webern, he gets to the point very quickly, & is never long-winded. I like how his works are very concentrated and direct...
Oh yes, he is very direct in his music. He's aggressive as hell in the first and third symphonies.
Symphony No. 2 is a totally different sound-world, but still distinctively Rawsthorne.
I can't believe this great composer only has two pages. ??? For shame...
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 07, 2011, 08:41:10 PM
I can't believe this great composer only has two pages. ??? For shame...
Please enlighten me. I've never heard the works of Mr. R. I like a lot of mid-century Anglo-American symphonism: VW, Walton, Rubbra, Simpson, Schuman, Piston, Rochberg, guys like that. How does Rawsthorne stack up against them?
Your list is interesting, as Rawsthorne may act a bit of a missing link for you - he's more rough and tumble than the English lot you mention, and bar Simpson also more harmonically tough. MI will elaborate more, I'm sure.
A few samples should be all it takes to prick your ears up I'll wager :)
Works I especially like:
Symphonic Studies (Pitchard/Lyrita)
Symphony No 1 (Lyrita)
Piano Concerto No. 2 (Naxos/Lyrita/Chandos etc)
The Cruel Sea (Chandos Film Music Series or Silva Screen) - my first encounter with this worthwhile composer.
Quote from: Velimir on April 08, 2011, 12:15:52 AM
Please enlighten me. I've never heard the works of Mr. R. I like a lot of mid-century Anglo-American symphonism: VW, Walton, Rubbra, Simpson, Schuman, Piston, Rochberg, guys like that. How does Rawsthorne stack up against them?
Rawsthorne's music is highly dramatic, at times angular, dissonant, but with shades of light here and there. A lot of his music, especially the symphonies, which I have been listening to lately, are quite turbulent works. They have a certainly Simpson boldness to them, but unlike Simpson, Rawsthorne doesn't completely abandon a melody. Overall, I think if you're at all interested in 20th Century English composers, then you should try your hand at his music.
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 08, 2011, 06:50:21 AM
Rawsthorne's music is highly dramatic, at times angular, dissonant, but with shades of light here and there. A lot of his music, especially the symphonies, which I have been listening to lately, are quite turbulent works. They have a certainly Simpson boldness to them, but unlike Simpson, Rawsthorne doesn't completely abandon a melody. Overall, I think if you're at all interested in 20th Century English composers, then you should try your hand at his music.
It's the presence of melody in Rawsthorne's music which makes it easier to latch on to. Simpson is all motive and development. To put it a bit harshly, Simpson sounds like desiccated Beethoven or Nielsen, a skeleton on the move... Rawsthorne, to quote myself, is both prickly and poetic, which makes his music much more attractive.
Thanks for the feedback. He sounds like someone I would like.
I see he also studied dentistry. I wonder if this is reflected in his work (sounds of drilling, evocations of pain, etc.).
Quote from: Velimir on April 08, 2011, 08:15:50 AM
Thanks for the feedback. He sounds like someone I would like.
I see he also studied dentistry. I wonder if this is reflected in his work (sounds of drilling, evocations of pain, etc.).
Haha! As I said, he is rather prickly...
Quote from: Velimir on April 08, 2011, 08:15:50 AM
Thanks for the feedback. He sounds like someone I would like.
I see he also studied dentistry. I wonder if this is reflected in his work (sounds of drilling, evocations of pain, etc.).
Oh，you forgot polishing as in dental hygiene. :D
I read that he also studied architecture, so it's obvious that a certain sense of structure would be present in his music. & dentists do detailed work, so that sense of detail isn't missing from his music either (at least of what I've heard so far, which is the Naxos string quartets disc)...
I have found, when listening to Rawsthorne, that local anaesthetic and a glass of water never came amiss.
Quote from: Sid on April 08, 2011, 09:47:54 PM
I read that he also studied architecture, so it's obvious that a certain sense of structure would be present in his music. & dentists do detailed work, so that sense of detail isn't missing from his music either (at least of what I've heard so far, which is the Naxos string quartets disc)...
That's true about architecture; but we shouldn't impute too much significance to this. ALL good composers have a "sense of structure" and a "sense of detail." (And apparently he never finished either his dental or his architecture degree, which doesn't say much for his study habits.)
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on April 08, 2011, 10:18:36 PM
I have found, when listening to Rawsthorne, that local anaesthetic and a glass of water never came amiss.
I will try to get hold of one of those tubes that sucks the saliva right out of your mouth, so I don't have to spit all the time.
tjguitar: Have you heard Rawsthorne's Elegy for Guitar? It's a wonderful piece. He was writing it for Julian Bream but died before he finished it. Bream completed it based on sketches and some opening material. Amazon has a copy:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TqE055XDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on April 10, 2011, 09:00:54 AM
tjguitar: Have you heard Rawsthorne's Elegy for Guitar? It's a wonderful piece. He was writing it for Julian Bream but died before he finished it. Bream completed it based on sketches and some opening material. Amazon has a copy:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TqE055XDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
tjguitar hasn't posted here in quite some time or at least he/she hasn't since I've been a member of this forum since June 2010.
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 10, 2011, 10:07:25 AM
tjguitar hasn't posted here in quite some time or at least he/she hasn't since I've been a member of this forum since June 2010.
OK, well, then that was for anyone who might be interested! :)
I've managed to avoid the music of Rawsthorne up till now, but recently I've been listening to the symphonies and the string quartets.
Can't get to like them, I don't mind the harshness, it's just that he never seems to relax or smile, can't work it out. Was he very angry or hurt about something?
I don't know a lot about his life... I think that if Humphrey Bogart had composed, it would have sounded like Hawsthorne. And the prickliness is in the name.
I have the old emi recordings with Moura Lympany and Denis Mathews.They performances have a certain atmosphere and commitment. I think they make the music sound a bit more rewarding than it is. His Practical Cats is on the same cd. Robert Donat is the speaker. I quite like this. Again,it has a certain atmosphere and Donat brings an element of clipped nostalgia. I wouldn't want to listen to it that often,though! Nice for an occasional listen,though and preferable to Webber!! ;D
I especially like Symphonic Studies - a very powerful work despite the academic title and the film music for 'The Cruel Sea'.
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on April 10, 2011, 09:00:54 AM
tjguitar: Have you heard Rawsthorne's Elegy for Guitar? It's a wonderful piece. He was writing it for Julian Bream but died before he finished it. Bream completed it based on sketches and some opening material. Amazon has a copy:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TqE055XDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
I am not familiar with this, but I will check it out. Thanks for the tip.
Edit: there is also a Naxos recording.
Quote from: tjguitar on November 01, 2015, 03:10:58 PM
I am not familiar with this, but I will check it out. Thanks for the tip.
Edit: there is also a Naxos recording.
great bream disc
String Quartets 1-3
I can enjoy Rawsthorne's cragginess, bitterness, and thorniness here, as long as I'm in the mood. Yes, there can only be joy here if you're ready for the sour dour, but, if you've just come off an avant-garde binge, something like 'Thorny may be a good tonic. These SQs fall much behind Arnold and Dyson i terms of memorability, but they aren't as maudlin as the younger generation's aggressive, violent bitterness (the 70s).
I wouldn't recommend these to anyone who can't handle their discord. "Thorny" IS the word here!!!
The first CD of Rawsthorne's music that I bought was one containing chamber music which I liked....
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eTOeFISQL._SY355_.jpg)
That was followed by some orchestral music....
(http://cdn.discogs.com/KRuEzdhlr2thWQiriBDwEmbtWI8=/fit-in/598x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(96)/discogs-images/R-3711361-1391209721-1409.jpeg.jpg)
I found his musical language to be a bit on the stark side and I never pursued him any further. I must revisit his music as I have not listened to it in some time.
I wanted to like his music more than I actually did and kept trying with some pieces via Naxos now and then, but ultimately I decided to let somebody else enjoy my Rawsthorne CDs. It was all a bit too forgettable for me, and with so much other music to listen to, etc.
That being said, if you want to explore further, I think the Piano concertos and Symphonic studies are easy to enjoy. And perhaps the violin and oboe concerti.
I bought the Naxos recording of the three Symphonies. All great works, but No. 1 is my favourite. Dramatic attention-grabbing intro that sounds slightly dissonant.
I will add the Symphonic Studies and the Symphonies 1-3 to my List.
Quote from: aligreto on November 07, 2015, 01:35:29 AM
I will add the Symphonic Studies and the Symphonies 1-3 to my List.
The best performance of the Symphonic Studies, considered Rawsthorne's masterpiece by many, is on Lyrita:
[asin]B000N8UVS0[/asin]
Quote from: vandermolen on November 07, 2015, 09:30:16 AM
The best performance of the Symphonic Studies, considered Rawsthorne's masterpiece by many, is on Lyrita:
[asin]B000N8UVS0[/asin]
Thank you for that.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 07, 2015, 09:30:16 AMThe best performance of the Symphonic Studies, considered Rawsthorne's masterpiece by many, is on Lyrita: [asin]B000N8UVS0[/asin]
Fully seconded. Nicholas Braithwaite is often superb, in this kind of repertoire.
Regarding the Lyrita album - If your local public library subscribes to the Freegal music database (primarily Sony), it also has the entire Lyrita catalog. I got 5 free tracks to download per week and 3 hours of streaming per day.
Quote from: Christo on November 07, 2015, 02:34:26 PM
Fully seconded. Nicholas Braithwaite is often superb, in this kind of repertoire.
I agree, although I think it's John Pritchard who conducts the Symphonic Studies. I seem to recall that it was originally coupled with Rawsthorne's fine First Symphony on the original LP release.
I've been listening to his Violin concertos on Naxos - both fine scores which I hardly knew (unlike the piano concertos). There is a kind of understated romanticism which I find appealing and his style is very distinctive. Alwyn's Violin Concerto is another recent discovery which I have greatly enjoyed:
[asin]B000009CJN[/asin]
I love those Violin Concertos, too, and for the same reason. Rawsthorne is a Humphrey Bogart - rough and sensitive at the same time.
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on August 22, 2016, 01:10:46 PM
I love those Violin Concertos, too, and for the same reason. Rawsthorne is a Humphrey Bogart - rough and sensitive at the same time.
Great point. The music can be astringent but paradoxically warm-hearted. Although there are not many 'big tunes' the music stays in my mind and I find something very worthwhile about it. He originally trained as a dentist!
Quote from: vandermolen on August 22, 2016, 02:27:10 PM
He originally trained as a dentist!
I find that weirdly fitting.
He's ceraintly something to get your teeth into! ;D I like his Piano Concertos. I have also dowloaded his Symphonic studies and Overture Street Corner,from the Lyrita cd;but I haven't listened to them yet. I also downloaded the Bliss Piano Concerto cd and some of the other pieces from the Naxos cd. I intend to couple some of them. I have the Chandos cd of the Piano Concertos.
On the emi British Composers cd,I notice that Dame Moura Lympany plays the First Piano Concerto and Denis Mathews plays the Second Piano Concerto. A long and very interesting article about Denis Mathews has been put up on Musicweb (with some photographs) recently. I didn't know anything about him,but I have noticed his name! I also like Practical Cats with Robert Donat performing the speaking part. Allot better than Simon Callow,or that horrible musical!!
;D
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 22, 2016, 11:31:32 PM
He's ceraintly something to get your teeth into! ;D I like his Piano Concertos. I have also dowloaded his Symphonic studies and Overture Street Corner,from the Lyrita cd;but I haven't listened to them yet. I also downloaded the Bliss Piano Concerto cd and some of the other pieces from the Naxos cd. I intend to couple some of them. I have the Chandos cd of the Piano Concertos.
On the emi British Composers cd,I notice that Dame Moura Lympany plays the First Piano Concerto and Denis Mathews plays the Second Piano Concerto. A long and very interesting article about Denis Mathews has been put up on Musicweb (with some photographs) recently. I didn't know anything about him,but I have noticed his name! I also like Practical Cats with Robert Donat performing the speaking part. Allot better than Simon Callow,or that horrible musical!!
The Robert Donat 'Practical Cats' is wonderful and that EMI CD is one of the great Rawsthorne discs. I haven't heard the Simon Callow version but I've always thought that he over-acts in everything I've seen him in.
Quote from: Christo on August 22, 2016, 11:49:57 PM
He wrote mainly fillers.
A clever play on words for those quick enough to spot it. 8)
Quote from: vandermolen on August 23, 2016, 01:29:35 AM
A clever play on words for those quick enough to spot it. 8)
With Christo, we all know the drill.
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on October 01, 2014, 11:56:33 PM
I don't know a lot about his life... I think that if Humphrey Bogart had composed, it would have sounded like Hawsthorne. And the prickliness is in the name.
Play it again,Tham! ;D
Quote from: Dundonnell on October 25, 2008, 12:24:48 PM
quote author=tjguitar link=topic=786.msg240629#msg240629 date=1224959829]
I did not. I did however pick up the Cello Concerto and Oboe Concerto on NAXOS. I don't remember much about it. perhaps I owe it another listen.
Perhaps you do ;D
The Oboe Concerto is a delightful piece. The Cello Concerto is a bit tougher and not perhaps among the very greatest of British cello concertos but nevertheless a worthy addition to the canon. Its neglect over the past 40 years is astonishing- but then there are other British cello concertos which have suffered even worse neglect(the Brian, the Lennox Berkeley and the Cooke).
I would add to what I wrote in December that the three Rawsthorne symphonies are distinguished works and either of the two sets is worth buying.
The 1st Symphony ranks with the Symphonic Studies as Rawsthorne at his very best-vigorous, dynamic, incisive music-but the 2nd, the Pastoral, is an underestimated work of real beauty, albeit melancholic beauty, while the more thorny 3rd has a magnificent Sarabande as its second movement.
Rawsthorne is one of those British composers whose music is too often ignored and deserves to be played more often(but probably never will be now :() There is often a certain dryness, an asperity, a lack of a certain measure of warmth which means that I find him a composer I can respect, admire but not love as I can say Rubbra or Alwyn.
More temptation,I fear?!! ::) ;D
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 23, 2016, 02:16:04 AM
Play it again,Tham! ;D
Touché!
I realised afterwards I must have said that already...
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on August 22, 2016, 01:10:46 PM
I love those Violin Concertos, too, and for the same reason. Rawsthorne is a Humphrey Bogart - rough and sensitive at the same time.
I like this one! All it needs now is Lauren Bacall......leaning on the piano,of course!
The music a bit more astringent,of course!!
Which recordings of the symphonies have the edge,I wonder? Lyrita or Naxos? Or are they both equally good?!! The Naxos can be downloaded quite cheaply,I note!
By the way. Please stop bringing up the name Bogart,Johann,if you don't mind!! I've been fighting off an urge to buy a dvd of the film Key Largo for the last few days ::)..........with some success,so far!! ;D ;D
The lesser orchestral and chamber works are rarely notably inferior in craftsmanship to the major scores. Indeed, the very consistency of Rawsthorne's sizable output perhaps encouraged its almost uniform neglect during his last years, but in a historical perspective of 20th-century English composition this unostentatious yet finely wrought music deserves an honourable place. - The New Grove
(http://eil.com/images/main/Alan+Rawsthorne+Piano+Concertos+Nos+1++2+482825.jpg)
ç1066
(https://img.discogs.com/p3YvMPE-OjrB0PN02eq70UCafPE=/fit-in/500x499/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-6448307-1424214278-1437.jpeg.jpg)
ç1963
Quote from: Scion7 on August 23, 2016, 03:11:22 AM
The lesser orchestral and chamber works are rarely notably inferior in craftsmanship to the major scores. Indeed, the very consistency of Rawsthorne's sizable output perhaps encouraged its almost uniform neglect during his last years, but in a historical perspective of 20th-century English composition this unostentatious yet finely wrought music deserves an honourable place. - The New Grove
(http://eil.com/images/main/Alan+Rawsthorne+Piano+Concertos+Nos+1++2+482825.jpg)
ç1066
(https://img.discogs.com/p3YvMPE-OjrB0PN02eq70UCafPE=/fit-in/500x499/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-6448307-1424214278-1437.jpeg.jpg)
ç1963
That HMV 20 series was very good. I took a number out of them out of a record library in London. In this way I discovered some fine works including Rubbra's Symphony 5 (Barbirolli) coupled with Vaughan Williams's Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus (first time I'd heard this wonderful work) and the Oboe Concerto (Barbirolli and wife). Also Robert Simpson's First Symphony (Boult) which remains my favourite of Simpson's symphonies. I've never seen the Rawsthorne LP before but have it on its CD manifestation. Thanks for posting.
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 23, 2016, 03:02:44 AM
Which recordings of the symphonies have the edge,I wonder? Lyrita or Naxos? Or are they both equally good?!! The Naxos can be downloaded quite cheaply,I note!
Both good in my opinion.
Quote from: vandermolen on August 23, 2016, 03:49:11 AM
That HMV 20 series was very good. I took a number out of them out of a record library in London. In this way I discovered some fine works including Rubbra's Symphony 5 (Barbirolli) coupled with Vaughan Williams's Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus (first time I'd heard this wonderful work) and the Oboe Concerto (Barbirolli and wife). Also Robert Simpson's First Symphony (Boult) which remains my favourite of Simpson's symphonies. I've never seen the Rawsthorne LP before but have it on its CD manifestation. Thanks for posting.
That's odd,regarding your record sleeve shot of the Piano Concertos! (It says they are in mono) My emi cd says on the back that the recordings of the Piano Concertos are stereo! Practical Cats and the Bagatelles are in mono. Some early Lps were released in mono versions though,weren't they.....even if they were recorded in stereo,or as well as in mono? I know with remastered pop albums from the sixties you get those ones with mono tracks,as well. The worst ones were those electronically reprocessed stereo ones. Decca eclipse,I think? I can remember some VW symphonies in that format,Ackermann operettas with Schwarzkopf and Sarah Vaughan sounding as if she was singing at the bottom of a well? (Perhaps she was?!!).
Of course it could be a mistake on the inlay. I'll put the emi cd on in a minute and find out!! I though it was stereo? Perhaps it's these headphones?!! Of course if you play a stereo lp or tape on a record player you just mono (although maybe via headphones?)
Okay,here goes.........(switching Felix Draeseke off,temporarily!).........
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on August 23, 2016, 01:45:34 AM
With Christo, we all know the drill.
Another clever play on words for those quick enough to spot it (I've only just got it ::)). 8)
Yes,the Piano Concertos on the emi cd are in stereo despite the word mono on that Lp in your photo,Vandermolen. Perhaps a stereo Lp was released later? A pity Practical Cats is in mono;but then again,perhaps it gives it a nostagic edge! Simon Callow on the new recording! Yuk! That's how bad things have got!! Surely,they could find someone better? He seems be running quite an industry these days with all these walk-on narrations,and audio books,no doubt (?)! I suppose Brian Blessed would have been more apt? He actually performed in the better known version of Cats! GET THE COTTON WOOL BUDS OUT.....IT'S OLD DEUTERONOMY!!! ??? ???
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 23, 2016, 04:50:07 AM
Yes,the Piano Concertos on the emi cd are in stereo despite the word mono on that Lp in your photo,Vandermolen. Perhaps a stereo Lp was released later? A pity Practical Cats is in mono;but then again,perhaps it gives it a nostagic edge! Simon Callow on the new recording! Yuk! That's how bad things have got!! Surely,they could find someone better? He seems be running quite an industry these days with all these walk-on narrations,and audio books,no doubt (?)! I suppose Brian Blessed would have been more apt? He actually performed in the better known version of Cats! GET THE COTTON WOOL BUDS OUT.....IT'S OLD DEUTERONOMY!!! ??? ???
It was Scion 7 who posted the LP covers originally.
I'm listening to the Second Piano Concerto now,with Denis Mathews playing. I love the atmosphere of this music. Who needs tunes,anyway! Well,sometimes!! Thanks for bringing me back to this music. I'll play the Chandos cd,next. The only other Rawsthorne I have on cd at the moment are historic recordings of Street Corner and Madame Chrysantheme (Ballet suite) on a rather fascinating emi compilation cd entitled.'The Composer Conducts',which includes Arnell conducting a suite from his ballet,The Great Detective,amongst other gems.I have the Symphonic Studies and Street Corner.....the Lyrita recordings,I think? All I need are some dr-s,but I will try and listen via the pc.
Quote from: vandermolen on August 23, 2016, 05:29:43 AM
It was Scion 7 who posted the LP covers originally.
Of course! ::) I was making food and trying to reason with npower on the phone.This is the curse of cordless headphones!! ???
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 23, 2016, 03:08:04 AM
By the way. Please stop bringing up the name Bogart,Johann,if you don't mind!! I've been fighting off an urge to buy a dvd of the film Key Largo for the last few days ::)..........with some success,so far!! ;D ;D
Sorry.
This will be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Quote from: vandermolen on August 23, 2016, 04:25:27 AM
Another clever play on words for those quick enough to spot it (I've only just got it ::)). 8)
:laugh:
I have a hunch you're a Bogart fan,Johann! I like those old film noirs.
Listening to the Chandos cd of Rawsthorne Piano Concertos. There ARE tunes here,actually! The opening of the First Piano Concerto,for example.Of course! ::) You would sound funny singing it in a bath,though! (And probably anywhere else for that matter!) I can remember it,though. It seems to lurch up and down. I find it really grabs my ears. I suppose this is a terrible thing to say;but I would honestly rather listen to these concertos than Rachmaninov's third or Tchaikovsky's,any day. Not that I think Rawsthorne's are better,I hasten to add. I merely prefer them.Which is different. Some of the reflective moments of the Rawsthorne concertos have that haunting quality that really gets into the corners of your mind. Other parts have a deamy,reflective quality. Particularly effective in the evening with the lights turned down. And of course theres that tune in the final movement of No 2!
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 23, 2016, 06:27:56 AM
I have a hunch you're a Bogart fan,Johann! I like those old film noirs.
Listening to the Chandos cd of Rawsthorne Piano Concertos. There ARE tunes here,actually! The opening of the First Piano Concerto,for example.Of course! ::) You would sound funny singing it in a bath,though! (And probably anywhere else for that matter!) I can remember it,though. It seems to lurch up and down. I find it really grabs my ears. I suppose this is a terrible thing to say;but I would honestly rather listen to these concertos than Rachmaninov's third or Tchaikovsky's,any day. Not that I think Rawsthorne's are better,I hasten to add. I merely prefer them.Which is different. Some of the reflective moments of the Rawsthorne concertos have that haunting quality that really gets into the corners of your mind. Other parts have a deamy,reflective quality. Particularly effective in the evening with the lights turned down. And of course theres that tune in the final movement of No 2!
Nice analysis which I very much agree with. I have a soft spot for Rachmaninov's Third PC as, together with his Second Symphony, it was one of my mother's favourite pieces of music. I like the Rawsthorne film music CD on Chandos too. I first saw his name in the titles to 'The Cruel Sea' - a great film to which Rawsthorne's music contributes enormously.
Quote from: cilgwyn on August 23, 2016, 04:08:31 AM
That's odd,regarding your record sleeve shot of the Piano Concertos! (It says they are in mono) My emi cd says on the back that the recordings of the Piano Concertos are stereo!
You may be too young to have been around back then.
For quite a while, new LP's were issued in mono and stereo - due to there being a lot of monophonic "hi-fi's" out there.
Besides Classical music, you might have mono albums by the Beatles, the Stones and the Kinks and the Who until 1967 or thereabouts.
Eventually, everyone woke up to the fact that stereo records would play back on mono cartridges, and the practice of issuing mono LP's ceased. (Of course, some mono legacy recordings were still put out for collectors.)
Yes,I was thinking that. And you have those remastered cds of pop/band albums with stereo and the original mono tracks. Yes,I suppose I am a bit too young. Thanks! ;D :)
Not so into Rachmaninov these days,Vandermolen! I like his Seconds though!! TheSecond Piano Concerto,and his Second Symphony is my favourite of the three. I find myself leaning more to Stravinsky,Prokofiev,,Kabalevsky and Khatchaturian. Shostakovich,yes. I only have symphonies 4-7 currently,though. There are so many,and he can be gloomy. For good reason,too!! It's the same with Scraibin. I used to blast the walls with Scriabin's 'Symphonies'. Now I find them a bit too ott! I prefer his solo piano music,now. Scriabin's Second Symphony was my big favourite,by the way. I loved the big tune in that one. The way he way he brings it back at the end. I expect you know the one I mean?
Of course,maybe I'll start to really love those composers again,like I used to? Quite frankly,I never thought I would get back into Khatchaturian in such a big way. While I'm at it,I wish Melodiya would release that 'complete' recording of Gayaneh that people always post about,when you mention the supposedly 'complete' Tjeknavorian RCA recording. The prices sellers ask for it are usually pretty horrific! And RCA,or whatever they're called now,that Tjeknavorian First Symphony. A very annoying omission from their cataloge! Incidentally,remember they took years to issue the Tjeknavorian Gayaneh on cd. All you could get for a long time was a highlights cd. I waited....and waited!!! But at least it came out eventually!!
Anyway......back to Rawsthorne! The Chandos recording of the Piano Concertos sounds pretty good to me;although I gather the Lyrita is the favoured one here. It also has better fillings................I mean fill-ups ;D;so I wish I'd bought it now (I think it was cheaper?!) :( :(
Listening to the emi 'The Composer Conducts' cd. The Rawsthorne recordings of Street Corner and Madame Chrysanthème are,of course,in very good sound for the time! I'm really enjoying these,too! Lighter music,I know;but it's atmospheric. Very much of the period. A very interesting compilation,actually. It ends with Malcolm Arnold's A Grand Grand Overture. This one is in mono,and really did need to be in stereo. Oh,well!! :)
Owners of the emi Rawsthorne cd are probably aware,of course,of the artwork on the front. A cat piano! I remember seeing this picture reproduced in Gramophone. The tunes are played via cats being made to 'sing' notes via a keyboard connected to a spike I think?!! The emi artwork obscures the graphic detail;but includes a note advising the purchaser that" no cats suffered in the production of this cover."I seem to remember Gramophone showed the spike or hammer? Emi obviously chickened out! It is an old engraving I should point out,and I don't condone cruelty to animals!!
Rawsthorne's second wife, the controversial artist Isobel Nicholas: (https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-prod/photos/2012/325/101053999_135351096796.jpg)
Quote from: Scion7 on August 24, 2016, 03:15:43 AM
Rawsthorne's second wife, the controversial artist Isobel Nicholas: (https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-prod/photos/2012/325/101053999_135351096796.jpg)
...who was formerly married to the composer/conductor Contant Lambert. Lambert and Rawsthorne were both cat lovers by the way. 8)
Their progeny, Kit Lambert, was in the music biz as the manager for The Who until his death. (non-classical)
Rawsthorne's first wife was a violinist, Jessie Hinchliffe. She was a member of the Philharmonia Orchestra, but have no idea which recordings she may be on.
Rawsthorne - Chamber music
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sonatina, flute, oboe, piano, 1936
String Quartet no.1 'Theme and Variations', 1939
Clarinet Quartet, 1948
String Quartet no.2, 1954
Concerto., 10 insts, 1961
piano Trio, 1962
Quintet, piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 1962–3
String Quartet no.3, 1964
piano Quintet, 1968
Suite, flute, viola, harp, 1968
Oboe Quartet, 1970
Quintet, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano, 1970
Concertante, violin, piano, 1934
Sonata, viola, piano, 1935
Theme and Variations, 2 violins, 1937
Suite, recorder, piano, 1939
Sonata, cello, piano, 1948
Sonata, violin, piano, 1958
Elegy, guitar, 1971
A good chunk of these pieces is on this Naxos release, which is very good:
[asin]B000026CWO[/asin]
booklet/notes --> http://www.chandos.net/chanimages/Booklets/NA4352.pdf
Quote from: Scion7 on August 25, 2016, 02:18:45 AM
Rawsthorne - Chamber music
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sonatina, flute, oboe, piano, 1936
String Quartet no.1 'Theme and Variations', 1939
Clarinet Quartet, 1948
String Quartet no.2, 1954
Concerto., 10 insts, 1961
piano Trio, 1962
Quintet, piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 1962–3
String Quartet no.3, 1964
piano Quintet, 1968
Suite, flute, viola, harp, 1968
Oboe Quartet, 1970
Quintet, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano, 1970
Concertante, violin, piano, 1934
Sonata, viola, piano, 1935
Theme and Variations, 2 violins, 1937
Suite, recorder, piano, 1939
Sonata, cello, piano, 1948
Sonata, violin, piano, 1958
Elegy, guitar, 1971
A good chunk of these pieces is on this Naxos release, which is very good:
[asin]B000026CWO[/asin]
booklet/notes --> http://www.chandos.net/chanimages/Booklets/NA4352.pdf
I've just ordered that Naxos CD.
Quote from: Scion7 on August 25, 2016, 02:18:45 AM
Rawsthorne - Chamber music
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sonatina, flute, oboe, piano, 1936
String Quartet no.1 'Theme and Variations', 1939
Clarinet Quartet, 1948
String Quartet no.2, 1954
Concerto., 10 insts, 1961
piano Trio, 1962
Quintet, piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 1962–3
String Quartet no.3, 1964
piano Quintet, 1968
Suite, flute, viola, harp, 1968
Oboe Quartet, 1970
Quintet, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano, 1970
Concertante, violin, piano, 1934
Sonata, viola, piano, 1935
Theme and Variations, 2 violins, 1937
Suite, recorder, piano, 1939
Sonata, cello, piano, 1948
Sonata, violin, piano, 1958
Elegy, guitar, 1971
A good chunk of these pieces is on this Naxos release, which is very good:
[asin]B000026CWO[/asin]
booklet/notes --> http://www.chandos.net/chanimages/Booklets/NA4352.pdf
I have that CD and it is definitely worth a listen.
Quote from: aligreto on August 25, 2016, 08:14:41 AM
I have that CD and it is definitely worth a listen.
Thank you!
For the dedicated 'searcher' the entire thing is on YT, as is the String Quartets cd from Naxos.
One may have to search on the name of a particular movement to find them, tho'.
Good for a pre-listen decision making on purchases.
The Violin Sonata (1958):
1963 vinyl LP --> (https://img.discogs.com/p3YvMPE-OjrB0PN02eq70UCafPE=/fit-in/500x499/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-6448307-1424214278-1437.jpeg.jpg)
Piano – Lamar Crowson
Violin – Manoug Parikian
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_1080/MI0001/051/MI0001051476.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
[asin]B00005Q31U[/asin]
. . . but I think the sound on this recording is superior:
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_1080/MI0000/955/MI0000955631.jpg?partner=allrovi.com) (https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61zCom7nmcL._SS500.jpg)
[asin]B003F1MH5W[/asin]
The Clarinet Quartet (1948):
. . . As far as I can determine, this 1970 recording is the only one available - superbly performed.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518aFQrKqUL._SS500_.jpg)
^vinyl LP
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_1080/MI0001/166/MI0001166462.jpg?partner=allrovi.com) (http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_1080/MI0001/166/MI0001166461.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
[asin]B008FC0S2A[/asin] [asin]B0012XDFPQ[/asin]
This one I don't have - the Oboe Quartet (1970):
1. Oboe Quartet (1970): Andante-Allegretto
2. Oboe Quartet (1970): Poco Lento
3. Oboe Quartet (1970): Allegro
Theme And Variations For Two Violins (1937) [this piece is available elsewhere]
(https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51IY6g1GDkL._SL500_.jpg)
[asin]B0000049SB[/asin]
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ITnOEdG1L.jpg)
The only practical way to obtain these, via this live recording:
Quintet, piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn (1963)
Quintet, clarinet, horn, violin, cello, piano (1970)
[asin]B00000JWJG[/asin]
I just posted this in the "What are you listening to now" thread!
"I'm listening to this cd of Rawsthorne. I have to admit,I didn't take to his Symphonies (had another go,yesterday) but I like his Piano Concertos. Rawsthorne draws on continental examples and produces something wholly individual. I think these amongst the finest by a British composer. I remember the snooty response when a concert performance of one of them was performed on tv some years ago. I think they deserve better than that!! I also enjoyed Robert Donat's posh recitations of Practical Cats. Mono sound,but they've got to be preferred over Simon Callow,surely?!! ??? ::) Emi chose the illustration of the Cat piano. When the musician 'plays' a key a spike hits the tail of one of the cats creating the required note for the musician. The cd booklet includes a note explaining that no suffering was caused to cats during the making of the recordings. Apparently,there is no evidence that a real cat piano was ever actually in use?!!"
(http://i.imgur.com/Y25cWDH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eEn2w7T.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ffP1TJQ.jpg)
Quote from: cilgwyn on June 01, 2017, 12:47:27 AM
I just posted this in the "What are you listening to now" thread!
"I'm listening to this cd of Rawsthorne. I have to admit,I didn't take to his Symphonies (had another go,yesterday) but I like his Piano Concertos. Rawsthorne draws on continental examples and produces something wholly individual. I think these amongst the finest by a British composer. I remember the snooty response when a concert performance of one of them was performed on tv some years ago. I think they deserve better than that!! I also enjoyed Robert Donat's posh recitations of Practical Cats. Mono sound,but they've got to be preferred over Simon Callow,surely?!! ??? ::) Emi chose the illustration of the Cat piano. When the musician 'plays' a key a spike hits the tail of one of the cats creating the required note for the musician. The cd booklet includes a note explaining that no suffering was caused to cats during the making of the recordings. Apparently,there is no evidence that a real cat piano was ever actually in use?!!"
(http://i.imgur.com/Y25cWDH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eEn2w7T.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ffP1TJQ.jpg)
That's a great CD and I totally agree that the piano concertos with Symphonic Studies are superior to the symphonies. And, oh yes, Robert Donat is in a different league to Simon Callow who, to me, always looks like he belongs in the Monty Python Hospital for over-actors sketch.
Quote from: vandermolen on June 01, 2017, 01:16:12 PM
That's a great CD and I totally agree that the piano concertos with Symphonic Studies are superior to the symphonies. And, oh yes, Robert Donat is in a different league to Simon Callow who, to me, always looks like he belongs in the Monty Python Hospital for over-actors sketch.
I'm in agreement about the PCs. They are so evocative and elegant. Not that I don't like his symphonies, but the flow of the Concerti seems so natural.
Quote from: Rons_talking on June 10, 2017, 02:23:39 AM
I'm in agreement about the PCs. They are so evocative and elegant. Not that I don't like his symphonies, but the flow of the Concerti seems so natural.
The PC No.2 and Symphonic Studies are my favourites. The film music for 'The Cruel Sea' is both atmospheric and moving. I wish we had a fuller 'suite' from the film rather than just about 5 minutes worth on Chandos and Silva Screen - still, better than nothing I guess.
Been enjoying this today. Especially PC 1 and 2. I love the cover image as well, very appropriate I think for the atmosphere of Rawsthorne's music, to which I often return:
[asin]B000MEYHF8[/asin]
Quote from: vandermolen on January 02, 2018, 01:05:17 AM
Been enjoying this today. Especially PC 1 and 2. I love the cover image as well, very appropriate I think for the atmosphere of Rawsthorne's music, to which I often return:
[asin]B000MEYHF8[/asin]
Same here, but 15 months later ;).
Just spotted the term 'elegant' in relation to the concertos. So true ! Rawsthorne's music can sound spiky at times, but leavening the language with just the right touch of charm works wonders.
Quote from: André on March 22, 2019, 12:34:15 PM
Same here, but 15 months later ;).
Just spotted the term 'elegant' in relation to the concertos. So true ! Rawsthorne's music can sound spiky at times, but leavening the language with just the right touch of charm works wonders.
Excellent! I suspect that that CD travelled a long way to get to you.
8)
(https://www.chandos.net/artwork/NA7480.jpg)
Rawsthorne is a composer whose music I don't know that much, I'm more familar with most of the orchestral/concertante works including his 3 symphonies. I had heard them before without much pleasure to be honest. Now my impressions are a little more positive, or in other words, I've developed more tolerance towards this stuff. This is not straightforward music at all, at least not at first, but somehow it's interesting, there is a sense of relentlessly serious and at times dark atmosphere throughout that intrigues me. I don't know whether Rawsthorne studied under Hindemith or was influenced by him, but I perceive certain gestures of the latter in these symphonies. The 2nd Symphohy is called Pastoral, albeit I fail to get that idea in this work, maybe the soprano voice in the last movement gives a bit of it.
The No. 3 is my favorite (the 1st one has an explosive beginning, though!). I can't say I'm crazy about these works, but I'm glad to have revisited them. The performances are more than convincing. There is another disc of the symphonies on Lyrita for those who are interested to investigate.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on July 12, 2019, 09:04:29 PM
(https://www.chandos.net/artwork/NA7480.jpg)
Rawsthorne is a composer whose music I don't know that much, I'm more familar with most of the orchestral/concertante works including his 3 symphonies. I had heard them before without much pleasure to be honest. Now my impressions are a little more positive, or in other words, I've developed more tolerance towards this stuff. This is not straightforward music at all, at least not at first, but somehow it's interesting, there is a sense of relentlessly serious and at times dark atmosphere throughout that intrigues me. I don't know whether Rawsthorne studied under Hindemith or was influenced by him, but I perceive certain gestures of the latter in these symphonies. The 2nd Symphohy is called Pastoral, albeit I fail to get that idea in this work, maybe the soprano voice in the last movement gives a bit of it.
The No. 3 is my favorite (the 1st one has an explosive beginning, though!). I can't say I'm crazy about these works, but I'm glad to have revisited them. The performances are more than convincing. There is another disc of the symphonies on Lyrita for those who are interested to investigate.
Have you tried the Symphonic Studies and the piano concertos Cesar? These are my favourite works by Rawsthorne. The Lyrita is a fabulous disc:
(//)
Rawsthone's music is often described as "bitter sweet".
If you have a tolerance of less then stellar sound then the drive that Constant Lambert brings to the Symphonic Studies has to be heard.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4JpEl3tCF0/Ts5xN5fCYkI/AAAAAAAABlM/vvl0JviAbXc/s1600/MFP+Lambert+-+Goehr.jpg)
Quote from: Irons on July 12, 2019, 11:49:17 PM
Rawsthone's music is often described as "bitter sweet".
If you have a tolerance of less then stellar sound then the drive that Constant Lambert brings to the Symphonic Studies has to be heard.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4JpEl3tCF0/Ts5xN5fCYkI/AAAAAAAABlM/vvl0JviAbXc/s1600/MFP+Lambert+-+Goehr.jpg)
Yes, I agree. Also available on CD here with Warlock's poignant 'The Curlew':
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on July 13, 2019, 03:42:24 AM
Yes, I agree. Also available on CD here with Warlock's poignant 'The Curlew':
(//)
A most interesting CD.
A good trivial pursuit question (easily looked up on Wiki). What is the connection between Alan Rawsthorne, Constant Lambert and The Who?
Quote from: vandermolen on July 12, 2019, 10:00:52 PM
Have you tried the Symphonic Studies and the piano concertos Cesar? These are my favourite works by Rawsthorne. The Lyrita is a fabulous disc:
(//)
Yes, Jeffrey, I have, the piano concertos are quirky works full of wittiness. The
Symphonic Studies not yet (I think).
Quote from: Irons on July 12, 2019, 11:49:17 PM
Rawsthone's music is often described as "bitter sweet".
"Bitter sweet" sounds very apt to me.
Quote from: Irons on July 13, 2019, 05:43:47 AM
A most interesting CD.
A good trivial pursuit question (easily looked up on Wiki). What is the connection between Alan Rawsthorne, Constant Lambert and The Who?
I know that Lambert and Rawsthorne liked cats but not sure about The Who connection Lol.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on July 13, 2019, 12:34:41 PM
Yes, Jeffrey, I have, the piano concertos are quirky works full of wittiness. The Symphonic Studies not yet (I think).
"Bitter sweet" sounds very apt to me.
The Symphonic Studies is arguably Rawsthorne's masterpiece so do give that a listen to Cesar.
Quote from: Irons on July 13, 2019, 05:43:47 AM
A most interesting CD.
A good trivial pursuit question (easily looked up on Wiki). What is the connection between Alan Rawsthorne, Constant Lambert and The Who?
There's an interesting companion disc featuring Lambert's own compositions:
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on July 13, 2019, 11:02:12 PM
There's an interesting companion disc featuring Lambert's own compositions:
(//)
Who are performing Lambert's works, Jeffrey?
Quote from: vandermolen on July 13, 2019, 10:59:20 PM
I know that Lambert and Rawsthorne liked cats but not sure about The Who connection Lol.
I think Vaughan Williams liked cats too. Not that, though. A bit complicated (most British composers seem to have had a complicated love-life) so I will quote Wiki -
Rawsthorne was married to Isabel Rawsthorne (née Isabel Nicholas) an artist and model well known in the Paris and Soho art scenes. Her contemporaries included André Derain, Alberto Giacometti, Picasso and Francis Bacon. Isobel Rawsthorne was the widow of Constant Lambert and stepmother to Kit Lambert, manager of the rock group The Who, who died in 1981. Isabel died in 1992. Rawsthorne was her third husband; Sefton Delmar (the journalist and member of Special Operations Executive during the Second World War) was her first husband. Isabel was Alan Rawsthorne's second wife, the first being Jessie Hinchliffe, a violinist in the Philharmonia.
Quote from: Irons on July 13, 2019, 11:41:46 PM
Who are performing Lambert's works, Jeffrey?
Lol
The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (now RLPO presumably) for part of Horoscope and the Philharmonia Orchestra for other sections.
Philharmonia for 'Apparitions'
Sadlers' Wells Orchestra for 'Dante Sonata'
Philharmonia with Kyla Greenbaum (piano) and Gladys Ripley (contralto) in 'The Rio Grande'.
I'm currently listening to Lambert's performance of Rawsthorne's 'Symphonic Studies' from the companion disc. It is indeed a marvellous performance with great urgency.
Quote from: Irons on July 14, 2019, 12:01:36 AM
I think Vaughan Williams liked cats too. Not that, though. A bit complicated (most British composers seem to have had a complicated love-life) so I will quote Wiki -
Rawsthorne was married to Isabel Rawsthorne (née Isabel Nicholas) an artist and model well known in the Paris and Soho art scenes. Her contemporaries included André Derain, Alberto Giacometti, Picasso and Francis Bacon. Isobel Rawsthorne was the widow of Constant Lambert and stepmother to Kit Lambert, manager of the rock group The Who, who died in 1981. Isabel died in 1992. Rawsthorne was her third husband; Sefton Delmar (the journalist and member of Special Operations Executive during the Second World War) was her first husband. Isabel was Alan Rawsthorne's second wife, the first being Jessie Hinchliffe, a violinist in the Philharmonia.
Thanks. I knew that Rawsthorne married the widow of Lambert and read an interesting biogpraphy of Lambert years ago. The Who connection rings a bell. Both Lambert and Kit were buried or had their ashes deposited at Brompton Cemetry next to the block of flats where I grew up in London. I recall that, in a TV interview, Walton, on being asked what he thought of the modern music scene responded: 'Well, I don't like groups like The Who' which he pronounced 'Whooooo'.
Quote from: vandermolen on July 14, 2019, 01:24:05 AM
Lol
The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (now RLPO presumably) for part of Horoscope and the Philharmonia Orchestra for other sections.
Philharmonia for 'Apparitions'
Sadlers' Wells Orchestra for 'Dante Sonata'
Philharmonia with Kyla Greenbaum (piano) and Gladys Ripley (contralto) in 'The Rio Grande'.
I'm currently listening to Lambert's performance of Rawsthorne's 'Symphonic Studies' from the companion disc. It is indeed a marvellous performance with great urgency.
Many thanks for that Jeffrey. I have a recording of Gladys Ripley singing Elgar's "Sea Pictures". Well done to Pearl for featuring Lambert so strongly when apart from "The Rio Grande" he is largely ignored.
Rawsthorne's "Symphonic Studies" is one of my favourite Lyrita recordings but even that does not compare with the fire and as you say, urgency, that Lambert produces.
(https://images.eil.com/large_image/ALAN_RAWSTHORNE_SYMPHONY%2BNO.%2B1%2B%2BSYMPHONIC%2BSTUDIES-538010.jpg)
Quote from: vandermolen on July 14, 2019, 01:45:40 AM
Walton, on being asked what he thought of the modern music scene responded: 'Well, I don't like groups like The Who' which he pronounced 'Whooooo'.
Well - he obviously wasn't
Talkin' 'bout my generation !
Quote from: Irons on July 14, 2019, 06:03:38 AM
Many thanks for that Jeffrey. I have a recording of Gladys Ripley singing Elgar's "Sea Pictures". Well done to Pearl for featuring Lambert so strongly when apart from "The Rio Grande" he is largely ignored.
Rawsthorne's "Symphonic Studies" is one of my favourite Lyrita recordings but even that does not compare with the fire and as you say, urgency, that Lambert produces.
(https://images.eil.com/large_image/ALAN_RAWSTHORNE_SYMPHONY%2BNO.%2B1%2B%2BSYMPHONIC%2BSTUDIES-538010.jpg)
One of my favourite Lyrita LPs (and great cover photo of AR) and another great nostalgia trip!
Quote from: aukhawk on July 14, 2019, 10:08:44 AM
Well - he obviously wasn't Talkin' 'bout my generation !
Haha very true :)
I really like the elegant, witty, inventive PCs - Rawsthorne at his most accessible - as well as the later Cello Concerto, which is a bleak, defiant, and gripping work. Also, I sampled the 3rd Symphony recently which I found rather "grey". I do recall liking the Symphonic Studies.
An imaginative programme which boasts about the most unflattering image of Rawsthorne. Sadly the violin is recorded far too closely for comfort.
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/N8kAAOSwIzBa4IQU/s-l300.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/O2M17bW.jpg)
No better way then for my 1000th post to be dedicated to Sir Adrian Boult conducting Rawsthorne. BBC Radio Classics released a CD of a studio broadcast for radio from 1966 of Concerto for String Orchestra. I don't know what Sir Adrian was on that day but "driven" is putting it mildly! It is though he substituted a whip for his baton, The BBC first violins play as if their life depended on it - they had little choice! Not a first choice for this work, there must be others more polished and nuanced but I enjoyed the performance, warts and all, immensely.
The recording is a match. More analogue then digital with some hiss for good measure. But CD has an advantage in that not many cartridges are capable of tracking such a wide dynamic range. Again not perfect as the recording is on the edge without going over of what can be reproduced without distortion.
Modern recordings can sound too careful and sanitized in the quest for perfection. This 1966 performance isn't perfect but it is a blast. I bet Rawsthorne had a smile on his face as he sat by his wireless listening to his Concerto.
Quote from: Irons on October 22, 2019, 11:59:23 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/O2M17bW.jpg)
No better way then for my 1000th post to be dedicated to Sir Adrian Boult conducting Rawsthorne. BBC Radio Classics released a CD of a studio broadcast for radio from 1966 of Concerto for String Orchestra. I don't know what Sir Adrian was on that day but "driven" is putting it mildly! It is though he substituted a whip for his baton, The BBC first violins play as if their life depended on it - they had little choice! Not a first choice for this work, there must be others more polished and nuanced but I enjoyed the performance, warts and all, immensely.
The recording is a match. More analogue then digital with some hiss for good measure. But CD has an advantage in that not many cartridges are capable of tracking such a wide dynamic range. Again not perfect as the recording is on the edge without going over of what can be reproduced without distortion.
Modern recordings can sound too careful and sanitized in the quest for perfection. This 1966 performance isn't perfect but it is a blast. I bet Rawsthorne had a smile on his face as he sat by his wireless listening to his Concerto.
Your description of the Concerto for string orchestra has piqued my interest. I don't know it yet, so it will be on my listening list.
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on October 23, 2019, 11:25:10 AM
Your description of the Concerto for string orchestra has piqued my interest. I don't know it yet, so it will be on my listening list.
If you get around to hearing the concerto do pass on your thoughts.
Naxos have released a recording of the work which has received positive reviews.
Rawsthorne: Violin Concertos.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jB1pDXj%2BL._SL500_SY355_.jpg)
A curates egg of a CD. The 1st Violin Concerto recorded live (although you wouldn't know it) at the 1972 Cheltenham Festival is superb in all counts. Theo Olof's violin has a forward balance and the New Philharmonia are projected clear with strong dynamics.
The concerto consists of two movements the first of which is brooding and dramatic I was reminded of Shostakovich's 1st Concerto. Shostakovich also has his presence felt in the form of acerbic wit of the more urgent 2nd movement. Some lively moments but the broodiness does reappear only to be dispelled by a closing flourish by soloist and orchestra.
I'm not in a position to pass comment on the 2nd concerto as the recording is so drab as to colour my view of the work. Surprising, as unlike the 1st this is a studio recording made at BBC Maida Vale Studios in 1968. The violin is balanced back to be part of the orchestra which may be more truthful but I could not get on with this presentation. The recording itself was far from clear and lacked dynamics.
So a big thumbs up for VC1 and thumbs down for VC2.
Quote from: Irons on November 06, 2019, 03:18:50 AM
Rawsthorne: Violin Concertos.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jB1pDXj%2BL._SL500_SY355_.jpg)
A curates egg of a CD. The 1st Violin Concerto recorded live (although you wouldn't know it) at the 1972 Cheltenham Festival is superb in all counts. Theo Olof's violin has a forward balance and the New Philharmonia are projected clear with strong dynamics.
The concerto consists of two movements the first of which is brooding and dramatic I was reminded of Shostakovich's 1st Concerto. Shostakovich also has his presence felt in the form of acerbic wit of the more urgent 2nd movement. Some lively moments but the broodiness does reappear only to be dispelled by a closing flourish by soloist and orchestra.
I'm not in a position to pass comment on the 2nd concerto as the recording is so drab as to colour my view of the work. Surprising, as unlike the 1st this is a studio recording made at BBC Maida Vale Studios in 1968. The violin is balanced back to be part of the orchestra which may be more truthful but I could not get on with this presentation. The recording itself was far from clear and lacked dynamics.
So a big thumbs up for VC1 and thumbs down for VC2.
I have this CD. Must give it another listen. I had an uncle who worked for the PRS (Performing Rights Society) as a result of which my brother and I often were invited to hear those broadcast concerts from Maida Vale, where I lived in my early youth. In fact most of my family lived in Maida Vale! I recall a fine performance conducted by Walter Susskind of Prokofiev's music from 'Romeo and Juliet'. The audience for these concerts in the BBC studios was about 30-50 people if my memory is correct.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 06, 2019, 03:40:31 AM
I have this CD. Must give it another listen. I had an uncle who worked for the PRS (Performing Rights Society) as a result of which my brother and I often were invited to hear those broadcast concerts from Maida Vale, where I lived in my early youth. In fact most of my family lived in Maida Vale! I recall a fine performance conducted by Walter Susskind of Prokofiev's music from 'Romeo and Juliet'. The audience for these concerts in the BBC studios was about 30-50 people if my memory is correct.
Thanks for clarification Jeffrey, I did not realise BBC Maida Vale was open to the public.
Quote from: Irons on November 06, 2019, 11:46:24 PM
Thanks for clarification Jeffrey, I did not realise BBC Maida Vale was open to the public.
My pleasure Lol. I think that you have to write in but not sure what the situation is now as I'm talking about many years ago. We got in through my uncle, who once asked Sir Arthur Bliss (the President of the PRS) for his autograph, whilst standing next to him in a urinal. Sir Arthur replied 'Yes, certainly - as soon as I get my hands free old boy'.
Quote from: vandermolen on November 07, 2019, 07:10:17 AM
My pleasure Lol. I think that you have to write in but not sure what the situation is now as I'm talking about many years ago. We got in through my uncle, who once asked Sir Arthur Bliss (the President of the PRS) for his autograph, whilst standing next to him in a urinal. Sir Arthur replied 'Yes, certainly - as soon as I get my hands free old boy'.
;D
Quote from: vandermolen on November 07, 2019, 07:10:17 AM
My pleasure Lol. I think that you have to write in but not sure what the situation is now as I'm talking about many years ago. We got in through my uncle, who once asked Sir Arthur Bliss (the President of the PRS) for his autograph, whilst standing next to him in a urinal. Sir Arthur replied 'Yes, certainly - as soon as I get my hands free old boy'.
Nice story to be able to tell ;D
Quote from: aligreto on November 10, 2019, 06:48:08 AM
Nice story to be able to tell ;D
Definitely! Glad you liked it Fergus. My uncle certainly enjoyed telling my brother and I about his experience with the Master of the Queen's Musick!
Enjoyed this nice recording this weekend. Cool music.
P.s. It appears that the fine disc of the PCs by Yuasa/Donohoe has not been discussed. So adding a pic.
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on May 30, 2021, 05:20:22 PM
Enjoyed this nice recording this weekend. Cool music.
P.s. It appears that the fine disc of the PCs by Yuasa/Donohoe has not been discussed. So adding a pic.
It has, but not here. The Constant Lambert Improvisations is a cracker which I went overboard with praise (nothing wrong with that, I liked it!) :D
Quote from: Irons on May 31, 2021, 06:45:40 AM
It has, but not here. The Constant Lambert Improvisations is a cracker which I went overboard with praise (nothing wrong with that, I liked it!) :D
+1 it's a lovely disc.