Gordon Jacob

[Guest]

Am I alone in finding the (just broadcast) slow movement from his 1st symphony very reminiscent of a movement from Respighi's Roman Festivals?

[Nick Armstrong]

Am I alone in finding the (just broadcast) slow movement from his 1st symphony very reminiscent of a movement from Respighi's Roman Festivals?

I didn't notice that, I must say.

[salymap]

Gordon Jacob was a very useful composer. We used to say that he wrote concertos for everything but the kitchen sink. Some fairly essy and handy exam material for the wouldbe soloist. I hope tolisten this week.

Haven't heard today's programme yet. Will listen for the Respighi.

[Serial_Apologist]

Gordon Jacob was a very useful composer. We used to say that he wrote concertos for everything but the kitchen sink.

I guess he would have left the latter to his friend Gerard Hoffnung, saly!

[salymap]

I guess he would have left the latter to his friend Gerard Hoffnung, saly!

Yes and hewould have performed it too. Hosepipes, vacuum cleaners, nothing Hoffnung couldn't tackle

[ardcarp]

Compositionally GJ might have been a bit of a magpie. But he was above all a craftsman composer and arranger, able to turn his hand to anything, and with a thorough knowledge of orchestral instruments and how to write idiomatically for them. I still refer to his 'little book' Orchestral Technique which has all the ranges and transpositions of instruments conveniently mapped out. His tips on how to orchestrate may be a bit conventional...but you don't have to follow them if you want to be wacky.

I was more interested in the Joseph Horowitz part of the programme. I only knew his 'Captain Noah' frolic, and hadn't realised he had done anything as profound as the string quartet featured today. He is the studio guest this week.

[Rolmill]

I still refer to his 'little book' Orchestral Technique which has all the ranges and transpositions of instruments conveniently mapped out. His tips on how to orchestrate may be a bit conventional...but you don't have to follow them if you want to be wacky.

Yes, I used to use this book a lot and found it excellent: concise but thorough, well set out, clearly explained, good suggestions (very good on chord spacing and effective instrumental ranges, IIRC) - all in all, a real boon to an amateur needing to re-orchestrate pieces in a hurry. Still have it somewhere (I hope).

[DracoM]

Loved the viola concerto.

[Serial_Apologist]

Loved the viola concerto.

Surprisingly Moeranesque, I thought

[salymap]

Can anyone print a photo of Joseph Horovitz please.? I know he came to the Augener office but can't 'place' him ATM. Actually a photo of him 40 or 50 years ago might be better

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Can anyone print a photo of Joseph Horovitz please.? I know he came to the Augener office but can't 'place' him ATM. Actually a photo of him 40 or 50 years ago might be better

A more recent than 40/50 years ago photo:

http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/composer/short-bio/723

and a record sleeve which looks based on a rather grainy photo:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joseph-Horovitz-Music-Brass-CD/dp/B005FANY6C

Best I could find, sals.

[salymap]

A more recent than 40/50 years ago photo:

http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/composer/short-bio/723

and a record sleeve which looks based on a rather grainy photo:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joseph-Horovitz-Music-Brass-CD/dp/B005FANY6C

Best I could find, sals.

Thanks a lot ferney - they ring no bells, I remember a black beard, maybe I'm thinking of someone else.
Anyway, born 1926, he's doing well. Long may he continue.

[Pabmusic]

I have heard quite a bit of Gordon Jacob's music. There has been nothing I've not enjoyed at the time, but (sadly) nothing that has remained with me. Still RVW thought highly enough of his pupil to have him make the orchestral version of the Folk Song Suite, which was originally for wind band.

His little book on orchestration is useful, if you can ignore the stricture never to combine oboe and clarinet in a solo line - he'd obviously never heard Schubert's Unfinished (thirteenth bar)!

[salymap]

I feel Gordon Jacob is to classical/serious music what Eric Coates was to lighter stuff. A wonderful craftsman who could turn his hand to anything required. However, while I remember a lot of Coates' music in everything he did, I can't recall many Gordon Jacob works. My fault perhaps

[Serial_Apologist]

I feel Gordon Jacob is to classical/serious music what Eric Coates was to lighter stuff. A wonderful craftsman who could turn his hand to anything required. However, while I remember a lot of Coates' music in everything he did, I can't recall many Gordon Jacob works. My fault perhaps

I could be wrong here, but if my memory serves me, there used to be a lot of Gordon Jacobs' music played on light afternoon radio programmes - brass band music and the like - the connotations, for me, being music one listened to with half an ear? That could account for specific pieces not registering in the mind, perhaps? Having him as one of the COTWs helps rectify this semi-omission, for me at any rate.