Private Passions: Roy Foster (12 Oct '14)

[Stanley Stewart]

A real tonic to hear Roy Foster today. A timely reminder of his two-vols biography of WB Yeats and I warmed to his musical choice including the 1934 recording of Der Leiermann, (Winterreise) by Harry Plunket Greene which still brings a tingle at every hearing; a pleasure, too, to hear his jazz connection with a Beethoven Piano Sonata!

[gradus]

I think Harry Plunkett Greene's Leiermann recording lay dormant for many years until HMV reissued it in one of their vocal collections boxes, was it in the seventies? Since when it seems to be aired fairly often. I wonder if he recorded the rest of the cycle, he certainly had an arresting vocal style.

[Nick Armstrong]

an arresting vocal style.

I assume you don't mean it's a matter for the police (although in that regard, a number of other singers come to mind).

I usually catch up with PP and shall listen to this one with interest

[Stanley Stewart]

I think Harry Plunkett Greene's Leiermann recording lay dormant for many years until HMV reissued it in one of their vocal collections boxes, was it in the seventies? Since when it seems to be aired fairly often. I wonder if he recorded the rest of the cycle, he certainly had an arresting vocal style.

My recording of the HPG Leiremann came from Vol I (of 2 sets, 3 CDs per set)
licenced from EMI France in 1997: Lieder on Record, 1898-1952, Schubert.
EMI issued The Art of Singing series simultaneously - 5 vols on my shelves, together with two hefty tomes by Michael Scott (Duckworth) indispensable for reference. I've had a quick shufti and it seems that PG didn't record a full Winterreisse. However, he did record the 'Abschied' from Schwanengesang. A photograph indicates a serious and striking man who quickly established himself as a leading soloist of the day but felt his voice was unequal to the demands of an operatic career. In the concert hall he created the role of Job in Parry's oratorio, and was particularly associated with the works of Stanford, who wrote The Songs of the Fleet especially for him. He was also an impressive interpreter of the lieder of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms. It was agreed that if his vocal attributes had only been on a par with his interpretive powers, he might fairly have been described as one of the finest concert vocalists of his time. He died in 1936, aged 71.

[gradus]

Many thanks for the info. I must try to hear more of HPG's work. I'd love to hear him in Schumann (Auf ein Burg would have suited him very well) or Brahms songs too.

[antongould]

Listened to it this morning - an excellent programme IMVVHO.

[antongould]

A real tonic to hear Roy Foster today. A timely reminder of his two-vols biography of WB Yeats and I warmed to his musical choice including the 1934 recording of Der Leiermann, (Winterreise) by Harry Plunket Greene which still brings a tingle at every hearing; a pleasure, too, to hear his jazz connection with a Beethoven Piano Sonata!

HPG available as a 59p download from Amazon .....ideal Christmas present....

[Nick Armstrong]

Listened to it this morning - an excellent programme IMVVHO.

Wasn't it just! That HPG recording was enthralling. I shall go searching your 59p download, anton!!!

EDIT: done & bought! http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ty_trk%3C/a%3E

[Wallace]

Thank you Stanley for the prompt to listen. An excellent programme. And the HPG was a revelation. I have never heard Schubert performed like that. Moving.

[Stanley Stewart]

Thank you, Wallace, for such a visual and audio treat.

[Tevot]

Hello there

I'd noticed the Private Passions - and will certainly tune in...

I like Roy Foster and was impressed by his History of Modern Ireland :-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Ireland-1600-1972-R-Foster/dp/0140132503

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[antongould]

Hello there

I'd noticed the Private Passions - and will certainly tune in...

I like Roy Foster and was impressed by his History of Modern Ireland :-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Ireland-1600-1972-R-Foster/dp/0140132503

Best Wishes,

Tevot

59p for a download £3.06 for a book most expensive PP ever........cheers Tevot...