Moeran - Sketches for Symphony No. 2

[Andrew Slater]

I've just come across a new Dutton release in which Martin Yates has realised and completed Moeran's sketches.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Thanks for that, Andrew. Well worth investigating.

[moeranbiogman]

It also contains another Moeran curiosity, the 'overture', part of which may be an early sketch for the Symphony in G minor.The title 'Overture To a Festival' was chosen in recognition of its premiere at the 1994 Norwich Festival. Rodney Newton has sliightly revised his orchestration (clearly indicated by Moeran, so no 'realisation' was needed here) in order to strengthen the final bars that may, or may not, be the intended finish.

[BBMmk2]

This sounds like the find of the year!!

[moeranbiogman]

Latest news I have is its available now to download from the i-Tunes Store.

Fine recording and playing from the RNSO - more I will not say!

[Suffolkcoastal]

Thanks for this too. I've the Overture to a Festival on cassette from an off-air broadcast.

Martin Yates did an excellent job completing Arnell's 7th Symphony on the Dutton label too.

[moeranbiogman]

Forgot to say Martin has also orchestrated John Ireland's 'Sarnia'.

[Roehre]

Many thanks for that, Andrew. I'll definitely investigate that CD soon.

[Bax-of-Delights]

Just to say that I've just received the Moeran No.2.

Absolutely delighted.

Great liner notes Moeranbioman!

[moeranbiogman]

Thanks, Bax-o-D. Realisation of the sketches should raise a good deal of interest - 'for' or 'against' ! Maybe someone should start a new Thread 'To Finish or Not to Finish' ?

[Serial_Apologist]

This week's COTW is on Finnish composers...

Er - I'll get me coat...

[moeranbiogman]

Ha! Jack Moeran's God - Sibelius.

[Serial_Apologist]

[Bax-of-Delights]

A query for you moeranbiogman:

In the notes you say that Jack visited an optician in Dublin but decamped before actually seeing the optician - leaving all his belongings behind including a briefcase which may or may not have contained 2nd symphony sketches.
After his death in Kemare no-one was able to find any sight or sound of any extant material in his flat. So where did these sketches originate? Had he sent them to Peers in Australia (unlikely) or did his brother send them on after Jack's death?

[moeranbiogman]

The full story makes for interesting reading.

http://www.music.ucc.ie/jsmi/index.php/jsmi/article/viewFile/80/87