Composer Anniversaries - 2013

[teamsaint]

ts - Here's a link to the Foulds CD that I would recommend without reservation. Not only is it an amazing Foulds listen, it is one of the best CDs that money can buy (yes, it's that good!).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mirage-Three...8113096&sr=1-5

Thanks Beefster. That is a big build up. Its on youtube so I'll give it a whirl soon. Sounds great.

[Nick Armstrong]

Thanks Beefster. That is a big build up. Its on youtube so I'll give it a whirl soon. Sounds great.

I second Beefy's rave. The Mantras are great, No 1 is one of my stereo demo pieces. Great recording.... but so is my other version, this one by my dear old LPO (which also has "April-England" - another Foulds favourite of mine ): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Foulds-Mantr...114909&sr=8-13

[ahinton]

I second Beefy's rave. The Mantras are great, No 1 is one of my stereo demo pieces. Great recording.... but so is my other version, this one by my dear old LPO (which also has "April-England" - another Foulds favourite of mine ): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Foulds-Mantr...114909&sr=8-13

Agreed. Foulds' time has not yet come but his music (or at least such of it as is known to survive) is at least getting a good deal more attention than was once the case; I even used the ground in April-England as the basis of a kind of chaconne section in the second movement of my piano quintet...

[ahinton]

[deleted: duplication due to posting errors]

[Thropplenoggin]

From the Wikipedia entry on Alkan:

"On 25 April 2009, BBC Radio 3 dedicated a 45 minute program to Alkan's life, presented by Piers Lane and with contributions by John White and David Conway."

About time they devoted a Composer of the Week to him, (Alkan, that is, though John White would also be a fine candidate).

Well said. Alas, this week it's John Williams. They just played some of the soundtrack to The Empire Strikes Back! To these ears, an execrable pot pourri of the worst sort of syrupy Romanticism and schlock horror.

[ahinton]

Back to anniversaries.

We're all well aware of Wagner and Verdi's bicentenaries and some of us also of Alkan's ditto, as well as Britten's and Lutosławski's centenaries (not to mention that of George Lloyd) - and there must be other notable centenaries / multiple centenaries - but let's not forget that today is the 70th birthday of Brian Ferneyhough and that this year also marks the 70th birthday of two very different English composers, David Matthews and Robin Holloway.

[Flosshilde]

Well said. Alas, this week it's John Williams. They just played some of the soundtrack to The Empire Strikes Back! To these ears, an execrable pot pourri of the worst sort of syrupy Romanticism and schlock horror.

So you weren't too keen on it, then?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

but let's not forget that today is the 7-th birthday of Brian Ferneyhough

Quite the child prodigy!

But thank you for mentioning it; I've been playing some of his Music (on CD; the BBC having done bygger all to commemorate the event) - as I've just posted on What are you listening to now? Thread.

For anyone wishing to join in the 70th birthday celebrations, I've found this miniature (lasting less than two minutes) that BF wrote in 1983 in preparation for a volume for Michael Tippett's 80th:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OFBrOEtCCg

[Beef Oven]

Back to anniversaries.

We're all well aware of Wagner and Verdi's bicentenaries and some of us also of Alkan's ditto, as well as Britten's and Lutosławski's centenaries (not to mention that of George Lloyd) - and there must be other notable centenaries / multiple centenaries - but let's not forget that today is the 7-th birthday of Brian Ferneyhough and that this year also marks the 70th birthday of two very different English composers, David Matthews and Robin Holloway.

Good round-up. Thanks.

I can't believe Holloway and Matthews will be 70. Where does the time go?

[EdgeleyRob]

Back to anniversaries.

We're all well aware of Wagner and Verdi's bicentenaries and some of us also of Alkan's ditto, as well as Britten's and Lutosławski's centenaries (not to mention that of George Lloyd) - and there must be other notable centenaries / multiple centenaries - but let's not forget that today is the 7-th birthday of Brian Ferneyhough and that this year also marks the 70th birthday of two very different English composers, David Matthews and Robin Holloway.

Can't wait for the Radio 3 Alkan,Lloyd,Ferneyhough,Matthews,Lutoslawski and Holloway fests,and the Proms will be interesting as they will surely be awash with their music.

[ahinton]

Duly corrected! - many thanks! Let's now draw a shadow over time...

[ahinton]

Good round-up. Thanks.

I can't believe Holloway and Matthews will be 70. Where does the time go?

The same place as it usually does; it'll be John Tavener's next year and those of Colin Matthews and Michael Finnissy two years later.

[Mahler's3rd]

A Question regard to "Wagner 200", I subscribed some time ago to a site called Wagner 200, where the info seemed to suggest there would be regular updates sent out via email to all the event's planned for Wagner 200. I think it was being organised partly by Barry Millington, so far there seems to be no updates at all of Planned events around his bi-centenary. By contrast Britten 100 is excellent, anybody have any info?, Thanks

[Mahler's3rd]

Does anyone have the new book thats come out about Wagner, called "The Sorcerer Of Bayreuth", written by Barry Millington? And if so whats it like?

[Jonathan]

A Question regard to "Wagner 200", I subscribed some time ago to a site called Wagner 200, where the info seemed to suggest there would be regular updates sent out via email to all the event's planned for Wagner 200. I think it was being organised partly by Barry Millington, so far there seems to be no updates at all of Planned events around his bi-centenary. By contrast Britten 100 is excellent, anybody have any info?, Thanks

Hi Mahler's3rd, the website for Wagner 200 is fully operational now with all the details of upcoming events. Hope this helps!