CotW Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

[Guest]

Cannot find a thread already started about this. Anyone listening? Anyone expected to be blown away by the Black Mahler? His output seems pleasant, but unexceptional, what am I missing from this composer I know little about?

[Roehre]

Cannot find a thread already started about this. Anyone listening? Anyone expected to be blown away by the Black Mahler? His output seems pleasant, but unexceptional, what am I missing from this composer I know little about?

What I am missing -I am not listening as I've heard / got on my shelves most of the broadcast music- is originality. It all sounds brilliantly, well composed, pleasant. But where is the high drama, the music which grips you at your throat, gives you geesebumps on your spine? I am afraid so far I never discovered this in Coleridge-Taylor's music unfortunately.

I sometimes really wonder whether we would hear much of his if he weren't a black composer from the beginning of the 20th century.

[Anna]

I sometimes really wonder whether we would hear much of his if he weren't a black composer from the beginning of the 20th century.

Those are my thoughts, really well composed, but ...... pleasant, nice, enjoyable. No gentleman from Porlock moments! Edit: Liked Hiawatha

[salymap]

I listened to the Hiawatha excerpts for old time's sake. I used to go the the RCM with a friend who was in the Royal Choral Society and the Monday evening rehearsals with Sargent were very enjoyable. Hiawatha seemed, looking back, to be played for several years, not dramatised but all three parts complete. It may be limited to some people but there is real drama in the sad story,well sung. It's a pity that MS's recording of the Wedding Feast is so old and hasn't worn well. I don't know much if any of his other
music I'm afraid

[Barbirollians]

I listened to the Hiawatha excerpts for old time's sake. I used to go the the RCM with a friend who was in the Royal Choral Society and the Monday evening rehearsals with Sargent were very enjoyable. Hiawatha seemed, looking back, to be played for several years, not dramatised but all three parts complete. It may be limited to some people but there is real drama in the sad story,well sung. It's a pity that MS's recording of the Wedding Feast is so old and hasn't worn well. I don't know much if any of his other
music I'm afraid

It reappeared on Classics for Pleasure a few years back and I got a copy recently. Stirring stuff. Shame they did not give it an outing at the Proms rather than a short excerpt only . It could have replaced the Coronation Ode !

[Barbirollians]

I have not heard the C of the W this week but the Violin Concerto is a splendid piece.

[Rolmill]

I haven't heard any of these programmes yet, but I see that the clarinet quintet was included earlier in the week. I first heard this at a Proms Chamber Music concert (at Cadogan Hall) 5 or 6 years ago and liked it very much. Like most unfamiliar music, IMO it (and C-T's music generally) probably benefits from first being heard live.

[Flay]

I haven't heard any of these programmes yet, but I see that the clarinet quintet was included earlier in the week. I first heard this at a Proms Chamber Music concert (at Cadogan Hall) 5 or 6 years ago and liked it very much. Like most unfamiliar music, IMO it (and C-T's music generally) probably benefits from first being heard live.

I liked the clarinet quintet. It certainly makes a change from the over-played Mozart and Brahms.

[Barbirollians]

I liked the clarinet quintet. It certainly makes a change from the over-played Mozart and Brahms.

They played the Violin Concerto this evening in the Marwood/Brabbins version - lovely work though reviews suggest the McAslan/Braithwaite is a more exciting recording.

[EdgeleyRob]

Some lovely music for sure, but I won't be rushing out to buy any cds.

[pilamenon]

I sometimes really wonder whether we would hear much of his if he weren't a black composer from the beginning of the 20th century.

Whereas I wonder whether we would have heard a lot of more of him had he not been a black composer from the beginning of the 20th century.

[Flosshilde]

What I am missing -I am not listening as I've heard / got on my shelves most of the broadcast music- is originality. It all sounds brilliantly, well composed, pleasant.

I'm sorry, Mr Coleridge-Taylor, but your music just won't do - it's far too brilliantly well composed & pleasant.

Since when has that been a problem?

But where is the high drama, the music which grips you at your throat, gives you geesebumps on your spine?

Sometimes it's good to have music that one can simply enjoy, rather than be throttled by.

[Flosshilde]

I should add that I enjoyed the music I heard, although it's not the music I would listen to normally. I liked Hiawatha better than I thought I would - especially as it avoided the rythyms of the poetry.

[Pabmusic]

I should add that I enjoyed the music I heard, although it's not the music I would listen to normally. I liked Hiawatha was better than thought I would - especially as it avoided the rythyms of the poetry.

I haven't listened to Hiawatha for years and ... it was very pleasant indeed. 'Pleasant' is a nice word that fits Coleridge Taylor's music like a glove. And how good it is to say that.

[salymap]

I haven't listened to Hiawatha for years and ... it was very pleasant indeed. 'Pleasant' is a nice word that fits Coleridge Taylor's music like a glove. And how good it is to say that.

Pleasant??? When the famine and the fever claim poor Minnehaha - you're a hard man. [part 2, perhaps you only heard the Wedding Feast?]