Our Summer BAL 82 - Mompou Musica Callada

[CallMePaul]

As far as I am aware, this has never been covered in BAL before and I suspect that it never will. It is the most substantial piano work by Federico (aka Frederic) Mompou (1893-1987) and is in 4 books with a total playing time of around 70 minutes. Available versions (from Presto website): -

Javier Perianes (D)
Haskell Small (D)
Alice Ader (D)
Emil Brugalla (D)
Lilit Grigoryan
Adolf Pla (D)
Federico Mompou
Martin Jones
Herbert Henck
Allesandro Delyavan
Steffen Schleiermacher
Jean-François Heisser
Jenny Lin
Jordi Maso

I have the composer's own, which is part of a 4-CD set on Brilliant Classics. It was recorded in Mompou's home city of Barcelona in 1974 when he was 80 or 81. It is a late work, written between 1959 and 1967 in four books, the final book being first performed as late as 1972 (by Alicia de Larrocha, who appears not to have recorded it). The work's title translates as "Quiet Music" or "Silent Music" and is very different from Mompou's earlier piano music. Do forum members know this piece and if so I would be interested in opinions about any of the versions in or out of the catalogue.

[Bryn]

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/mompou-plays-mompou-vol-1-musica-callada-federico-mompou/9788489662285

or for the lot:

https://www.qobuz.com/ie-en/album/mompou-complete-piano-works-the-ensayo-recordings-federico-mompou/5029365651523

[Pulcinella]

New territory for me, Paul.
In fact, the only works of his that seem to be in my CD collection are two short pieces on a couple of BBC MM CDs (curiously, consecutive issues): Sean Shibe (guitar) playing Canço i Dansa No 13, and Anne Queffélec (piano) playing Canço i Dansas No 4.

I've found Mompou's own recording on Deezer, and have lined it up for later.

[Pulcinella]

As far as I am aware, this has never been covered in BAL before and I suspect that it never will. It is the most substantial piano work by Federico (aka Frederic) Mompou (1893-1987) and is in 4 books with a total playing time of around 70 minutes. Available versions (from Presto website): -

....

It appears that the composer's own, which I have as part of a 4-CD set on Brilliant Classics, may no longer be available, which is a great pity. It was recorded in Mompou's home city of Barcelona in 1974 when he was 80 or 81. It is a late work, written between 1959 and 1967 in four books, the final book being first performed as late as 1972 (by Alicia de Larrocha, who appears not to have recorded it). The work's title translates as "Quiet Music" or "Silent Music" and is very different from Mompou's earlier piano music. Do forum members know this piece and if so I would be interested in opinions about any of the versions in or out of the catalogue.

Available here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8030062--mompou-complete-piano-works

Presto's listing may have confused you.

[CallMePaul]

Available here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8030062--mompou-complete-piano-works

Presto's listing may have confused you.

I have now amended my listing and comments - I'm not sure why Presto did not list it as a recording of the piece.

[Pulcinella]

Looks like the composer's own recording is here on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjy5TjR3D1c

[silvestrione]

Only just noticed this thread. This is one of my favourite piano works. However, that is because I can play it, and do, quite a lot! Generally, I am not so keen on recordings of things I can play. I do own the Javier Perianes and the Lilli Gregoryan, but I'm not sure I've ever played them right through. I occasionally play a track from them or from Mompou on youtube, to see what speed they have chosen, etc...

Largely irrelevant fact: Don Paterson credits the Henck recording in his acknowledgements at the end of his marvellous Rilke versions, Orpheus.

[smittims]

Alicia de Larrocha did record an early-1980s Decca LP of Mompou, and I think it was Musica Callada.

[Pulcinella]

Alicia de Larrocha did record an early-1980s Decca LP of Mompou, and I think it was Musica Callada.

As a full LP, more likely to be the Songs and Dances (though this is RCA not Decca):

https://larrocha-discography.blogspot.com/2010/09/mompou.html

PS: Musica Callada IV features in several Decca compilations though:

https://larrocha-discography.blogspot.com/search/label/Mompou

[CallMePaul]

Hyperion has informed me, via their regular monthly email, that a new recording by Sir Stephen Hough is due for imminent release. Hopefully a recording by this high-profile pianist with give the work more attention. Is it too much to hope that Sir Stephen will give public performances of the work?

[Pulcinella]

Hyperion has informed me, via their regular monthly email, that a new recording by Sir Stephen Hough is due for imminent release. Hopefully a recording by this high-profile pianist with give the work more attention. Is it too much to hope that Sir Stephen will give public performances of the work?

Not quite imminent: Presto give release date as 3 February 2023.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9380244--mompou-musica-callada

It's a shame that Hyperion aren't part of the streaming crowd, as I'd like to hear this.

Hough recently played some Mompou (Bristol recital): a five-star Guardian review.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/nov/21/stephen-hough-review-a-master-pianist-who-lines-up-with-the-greats

[CallMePaul]

[QUOTE=Pulcinella;900233]Not quite imminent: Presto give release date as 3 February 2023.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9380244--mompou-musica-callada

It's a shame that Hyperion aren't part of the streaming crowd, as I'd like to hear this.

There are excepts available on the Presto website (not the complete work!), even though download and hard copy are due for release on the same day.

[Pulcinella]

Times review of the new Hough recording:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stephen-hough-mompou-review-the-supreme-pianist-and-the-composer-you-ve-never-heard-of-7xs9vtr0b?shareToken=e470bd485ee18b6b1750c77eae7dace6