Bowen's first to-day

[verismissimo]

Don't think it's been mentioned, but Dutton has championed Bowen over recent years, most of the performances involving Endymion and their players (Michael Dussek, Krysia Osostowicz etc).

Heard them live last week in Richmond playing the Horn Quintet (Stephen Sterling, horn).

[Sydney Grew]

What a fantastic programme - many thanks for flagging it up.

I agree - my thanks too to Member Frank.

[Roehre]

I agree - my thanks too to Member Frank.

Thirded

[salymap]

I very much regret telling the story earlier on this thread, of when I met him on the last w/end of his life.
It was by no means a joke to me and I feltvery sorry about his sudden death.
Perhaps I should point out that 50 years ago my elders and betters in the publishing world thought very little of him, and his music was not performed at any of the many concerts I attended. I wish he knew of the rekindled interest in his music.

[Dave2002]

I very much regret telling the story earlier on this thread, of when I met him on the last w/end of his life.
It was by no means a joke to me and I feltvery sorry about his sudden death.
Perhaps I should point out that 50 years ago my elders and betters in the publishing world thought very little of him, and his music was not performed at any of the many concerts I attended. I wish he knew of the rekindled interest in his music.

Salymap

I don't think you should blame yourself, either for being one of the last people to see YB alive, or for mentioning it here. These things happen.

I've heard a few pieces by YB over the last year - the Phantasy for viola and piano (Lawrence Power), and more recently one of the viola sonatas (No 2, Op 22, Robin Ashwell). I wonder if his music is actually more fun to play than to listen to. I've just discovered his flute sonata, Op 120, and it does sound as though it would be enjoyable to play -= http://open.spotify.com/track/6uylsg1Fb6lCTVoLIPFVzW Has anyone else here tried to play any of his pieces?

I find that his pieces are pleasant, but not perhaps terribly gripping, and by the end I wonder what I've heard. It may be that more concentrated listening is required. Having said that, I'd probably rather try to get to grips with some of them than, say, Suk's Asrael Symphony. Sometimes there is a reward for repeated listening to pieces which "don't work" the first time round - but not always!