British composers of the 18th century

[ardcarp]

William Croft (d.1727) He was the guy who wrote ceremonial music for important occasions (thanksgivngs after famous battles, Feasts of the Sons of the Clergy, Royal Funerals, etc) before Handel arrived and did it better. However it is my firm belief that Handel, in adopting the English ceremonial style, used mainly Croft's music as his model. If anyone wants to try Croft's secular music (harpsichord suites and violin sonatas) there's:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Croft-Violin-Sonatas-Harpsichord-Suites/dp/B005LL4U3Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1402813646&sr=1-2&keywords=william+croft

[doversoul1]

London Baroque has recorded many interesting CDs, like this one:
English Music of the 18th Century

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Amon%2BRa/CDSAR014

plus:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Amon%2BRa/CDSAR066

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/BIS/BISCD1765

[Ferretfancy]

No mention yet of Charles Avison (1710-1770) who was a composer and author on music, organist at Newcastle Cathedral. I've got a nice LP of a selection of his concerti grossi played by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. Apparently he wrote more than fifty of them, as well as numerous sonatas and string quartets.
The music is very reminiscent of Corelli, and in fact Avison was a pupil of Geminiani, it's very attractive.

John Stanley (1713-1786) was a pupil of Boyce, and was blind since birth. There's a delightful set of organ concertos on the CRD label ( if not deleted) played and directed by Gerald Gifford on the organ of Hexham Abbey with the Northern Sinfonia. This brings memories for me of visits to
this fascinating church, and Cragside is only a short drive away.

[Barbirollians]

Avison prompted the thread FF see OP

[Ferretfancy]

Avison prompted the thread FF see OP

I'm sorry, I didn't notice his name in your OP, I'm glad you enjoy the Naxos discs. My old LP uses modern instruments and is probably a bit old fashioned, so I'll look out for the Naxos on your recommendation.

[Barbirollians]

I'm sorry, I didn't notice his name in your OP, I'm glad you enjoy the Naxos discs. My old LP uses modern instruments and is probably a bit old fashioned, so I'll look out for the Naxos on your recommendation.

I have the 2CD set of the Op3 and Op 4 concertos . They are charming and interesting pieces , delightfully played by the Avison Ensemble and no scrawny strings to be found !

[John Wright]

I haven't listened for quite some time but I have an excellent CD of very interesting music by Capel Bond (1730-1790) and got quite attached to his music, which is skilfully written and quite individual, when I found out he was buried just two miles away in the Coventry suburb of Binley. His Six Concertos in Seven Parts has been recorded by Roy Goodman and The Parley of Instruments on Hyperion Records, and choral work has been performed in this city.

Read about Capel Bond here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capel_Bond

and listen http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/al.asp?al=CDA66467

There's a trumpet concerto on youtube (Maurice Andre) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj6h3Y-LXXw

[Pulcinella]

I was given this CD as a memento of my time as a postdoc at Aberdeen:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Kings-Vol-Eighteenth-Century-Concertos/dp/B007QW4SZS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1403174324&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=aberdeen+king+williams

It does not seem to be currently available.
I don't think I gave it much attention at the time: perhaps worth another spin.

[Barbirollians]

The Herschel symphonies recommended by ferny are terrific - ear worms all round . It is more than a little surprising that so few of his other works are recorded - shame Chandos didn't give us a second CD ar least .

[teamsaint]

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v22/n10/nicholas-spice/the-pleasures-and-vexations-of-an-amateur-musician-who-loved-a-grand-crash

This review suggest that the journals of John Marsh might make an interesting read.

I was struck by the observation that he seems to have been unaware of the work of either JSB or Beethoven !!


2 volumes, £60 a pop each though !!

Anybody read them?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

This review suggest that the journals of John Marsh might make an interesting read.
Anybody read them?

I've read the first volume (the one, I believe, that deals with Marsh's Music activities): they are delightful! From his earliest memories (including eating the cherries out of a pie, but leaving the crust extant so that he wasn't discovered - he was about five at the time) to his work for concert clubs in Chichester. Anyone who's ever worked on the committee of an amateur arts club (or indeed anyone who's watched The Vicar of Dibley) will recognize many people they know in these two-hundred + year-old journals.

[teamsaint]

I've read the first volume (the one, I believe, that deals with Marsh's Music activities): they are delightful! From his earliest memories (including eating the cherries out of a pie, but leaving the crust extant so that he wasn't discovered - he was about five at the time) to his work for concert clubs in Chichester. Anyone who's ever worked on the committee of an amateur arts club (or indeed anyone who's watched The Vicar of Dibley) will recognize many people they know in these two-hundred + year-old journals.

Thanks Ferney. Sounds good.

Wiltshire library have it , but on reference only.

However,better news is that big chunks are available online on google books.

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uoyFI0m7WQsC&pg=PA225&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

Just started, and it really is a cracking read.

[MickyD]

I really wish a period instrument band would give us some symphonies by Wesley - I have always found them charming and under-rated.

[Nick Armstrong]

The Herschel symphonies recommended by ferny are terrific - ear worms all round . It is more than a little surprising that so few of his other works are recorded - shame Chandos didn't give us a second CD ar least .

Acquired today, was looking for precisely this sort of music for some road trips coming up - the Chandos London Mozart Players / Bamert disc is a delight!

Thanks Barbi and ferney!

And yes - Symphonies 2, 8, 12, 13, 14 & 17... What about 1, 3-7, 9-11, 14-16 and 18 to ??????

Astonishing the latter haven't been tackled, especially seeing the endless re-treads given to Vivaldi et al.

But anyway: fab discoveries!