Greatest unsung composer of the 20th century?

[Rinaldo]

Discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/v/us7fZdvQMxk

[Cato]

Karl Amadeus Hartmann: Nothing to discuss!   0:)

[Karl Henning]

Excellently well played, Cato.

[Jo498]

Never heard a note of Langgaard, but I agree that Hartmann is a very plausible candidate although maybe not quite as "unsung" as Langgard. There are at least two complete recordings of his symphonies (was well as a bunch of individual discs) and the violin concerto is not that unknown any more.

[Karl Henning]

At this point, the discography of these two unknowns is probably roughly at parity.

[amw]

Not that many composers are 'unsung' anymore tbh. Maybe Cardew or Radulescu (judging only by representation on recording).

Okay, so neither of them wrote a six minute symphony with four solo tubas, but some of the stuff they did write puts Langgaard to shame

[Karl Henning]

. . . but some of the stuff they did write puts Langgaard to shame

Okay, I'll ask:  how exactly do they succeed at that dubious endeavor?

[Dax]

Not that many composers are 'unsung' anymore tbh. Maybe Cardew or Radulescu (judging only by representation on recording).

Okay, so neither of them wrote a six minute symphony with four solo tubas, but some of the stuff they did write puts Langgaard to shame

There is John White, former colleague of Cardew and born in the same year (1936). And he HAS written a Symphony for Organ and SIX tubas.

And 176 piano sonatas.

[Rinaldo]

Never heard a note of Langgaard

If you want to fix that, Sfærernes Musik is a must.

Karl Amadeus Hartmann: Nothing to discuss!   0:)

Good call, but he already has the respect, if not the glory, while poor old Rued is still being perceived as "that jealous nut". Which he probably was but I wouldn't blame him – composing stuff that was so ahead of its time and not getting any kind of recognition for it, I'd go mad too.

[Brian]

Discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/v/us7fZdvQMxk

What the?!?! This symphony is clearly the work of a mentally ill person. I've heard quite a bit of Langgaard, but this is a whole new level of Langgaardishness.

[Karl Henning]

What the?!?! This symphony is clearly the work of a mentally ill person. I've heard quite a bit of Langgaard, but this is a whole new level of Langgaardishness.

"Doctor, it's just not cute, anymore . . . ."

[amw]

There is John White, former colleague of Cardew and born in the same year (1936). And he HAS written a Symphony for Organ and SIX tubas.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't count unless the tubas are in unison the whole way through >.>

John White is actually sufficiently unsung that I have only one CD by him, should probably look for more.

What the?!?! This symphony is clearly the work of a mentally ill person. I've heard quite a bit of Langgaard, but this is a whole new level of Langgaardishness.

Here's a better performance with some people talking about it

https://www.youtube.com/v/owV5ULJXcik

[Sergeant Rock]

My vote goes to Other:

Havergal Brian

(I'll have my ears checked soon, Rinaldo).

P.S. I've always loved Ixion. Sheer madness is good 

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

What the?!?! This symphony is clearly the work of a mentally ill person. I've heard quite a bit of Langgaard, but this is a whole new level of Langgaardishness.

I love the exuberant tam-tam, the "marching to a different drummer" tuba line, the fact that the entire "symphony" is the same tune, the closing fanfare.

I mean, all right, I may agree that it is mad . . . but it's the kind of unhinged artistic artifact I find quite winsome.

[Karl Henning]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't count unless the tubas are in unison the whole way through >.>

John White is actually sufficiently unsung that I have only one CD by him, should probably look for more.
Here's a better performance with some people talking about it

https://www.youtube.com/v/owV5ULJXcik

I don't know if this is necessarily a "better" performance . . . it strikes me as a bit "warmer," perhaps even a shade Elgarian.  Neither aspect "bad," just not certain that this adds up to "better."

Ooh, and in fact there was a momentary horn clam . . . just saying.

Well, and in fact having the tubas so much to the fore is IMO a soundstage mistake . . . they aren't a concerto soloist, they are struggling with the surrounding sonic tide.

". . . the bold and reactionary musical outsider . . . ."

[The new erato]

Sheer madness is good 

Sarge

Not if it comes with a bazooka.

[Karl Henning]

I cast my vote for Rued № 2

[Karl Henning]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't count unless the tubas are in unison the whole way through.

Now, I actually consider that a creative bit of scoring.  We've all heard orchestral pieces where the four horns played a passage in unison, and it is a different color than a single horn ringing out loud.  Here Langgaard has applied that principle to the "bass horn."  It is excellently and imaginatively done.

[Sergeant Rock]

Not if it comes with a bazooka.

Yep, when it comes with a bazooka it can have negative consequences.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

"Collateral music."