Gerhard, Roberto (1896 - 1970)

[Beef Oven!]

You do. In this regard the Tenerife recording is far superior to Bamert's, which puts those sounds rather apologetically in the background.

The 2nd String Quartet hasn't been mentioned yet (recorded on Aeon by the Ardittis). I think this is a masterpiece that can stand alongside any other in the medium.

The string quartets that I mention in post #4 is indeed by the Arditti Quartet. On tonight’s playlist!

[jayne lee wilson]

I've just had my old Argo LP of this digitised - stands up remarkably well, much more gripping and incisive than the Bamert, a proper classic recording that badly need re-issuing.

That would be a good one for Lyrita to do... but I would urge anyone exploring Gerhard to try the Chandos series, they really are very impressively recorded and enjoyable in themselves (I'd scarcely know the composer otherwise), and the Bamert Concerto for Orchestra certainly gets me going! Not that I've heard any other, we aren't exactly spoiled for Gerhard choices, so make the most of what we have...

The sort of exploration that good-sounding streaming services were made for, really..

[Pianoman]

That would be a good one for Lyrita to do... but I would urge anyone exploring Gerhard to try the Chandos series, they really are very impressively recorded and enjoyable in themselves (I'd scarcely know the composer otherwise), and the Bamert Concerto for Orchestra certainly gets me going! Not that I've heard any other, we aren't exactly spoiled for Gerhard choices, so make the most of what we have...

The sort of exploration that good-sounding streaming services were made for, really..

Well it's an interesting comparison - I do like the Bamert and the recording is obviously superior, in fact excellent, but I'd love to hear a skilful re-mastering of the Del Mar; he clips a few vital seconds off the running time, mainly through the sheer energy and brio that he injects into this amazing score. The payoff is slightly (and I mean slightly) scrappier ensemble in places, but listening again to the Chandos does reveal more orchestral detail by being a tad 'safer' in speed. I guess they could both sit happily alongside each other in the end. A great pity more virtuoso orchestras and 'fiery' conductors haven't taken it up...

[Richard Barrett]

but I would urge anyone exploring Gerhard to try the Chandos series, they really are very impressively recorded and enjoyable in themselves

This is true. Apart from my disappointment with the Third Symphony, I find the whole series excellent and the BBCSO on top form.

[ahinton]

This is true. Apart from my disappointment with the Third Symphony, I find the whole series excellent and the BBCSO on top form.

I'm broadly in agreement with you here but wonder nevertheless what it is that disappoints you about the Third Symphony, given that I find all four have something seriously going for them (although I confess to not knowing the much earlier Homenaje A Pedrell Symphony); is it the performnce or do you have reservatiopns about the work itself?

[Bryn]

I'm broadly in agreement with you here but wonder nevertheless what it is that disappoints you about the Third Symphony, given that I find all four have something seriously going for them (although I confess to not knowing the much earlier Homenaje A Pedrell Symphony); is it the performnce or do you have reservatiopns about the work itself?

See Richard's #11 in this thread.

Also http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...633#post430633

[ahinton]

See Richard's #11 in this thread.

Also http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...633#post430633

Thank you for these, which clarify that the disappointment is in the performance rather than the work itself.

[MrGongGong]

This (is pricey !) is probably worth a read (as Monty's music is definitely worth a listen)

http://www.cambridgescholars.com/essays-on-roberto-gerhard

[ahinton]

This (is pricey !) is probably worth a read (as Monty's music is definitely worth a listen)


http://www.cambridgescholars.com/ess...oberto-gerhard

I'm sure that it's more than worth the read but "pricey"? At a mere 291 pages of A5, if you please, it's utterly extortionate! I'd thought that some of Ashgate's prices before it got "taken over" were bad enough, but this is seriously prohibitive! What a pity...

[MrGongGong]

I'm sure that it's more than worth the read but "pricey"? At a mere 291 pages of A5, if you please, it's utterly extortionate! I'd thought that some of Ashgate's prices before it got "taken over" were bad enough, but this is seriously prohibitive! What a pity...

Yup
I'm frequently ranting about "academic" publishing and how ridiculously expensive it can be.
Some authours I know have developed that habit of putting a slightly "tweaked" PDF online to get round it.

[Bryn]

Qobuz is a bit of a problem where the Naive issues are concerned. It has most, but not Symphonies 2 (Metamorphoses) and 4 (New York). I have the Bamert of both, and the Colin Davis of the 4th. Can someone here who has the Pérez please comment on its qualities?

[Richard Barrett]

Qobuz is a bit of a problem where the Naive issues are concerned. It has most, but not Symphonies 2 (Metamorphoses) and 4 (New York). I have the Bamert of both, and the Colin Davis of the 4th. Can someone here who has the Pérez please comment on its qualities?

I got to know these pieces through the Pérez recordings but I would say they are comprehensively outclassed by Bamert and you don't really need to seek them out.

[teamsaint]

Yup
I'm frequently ranting about "academic" publishing and how ridiculously expensive it can be.
Some authours I know have developed that habit of putting a slightly "tweaked" PDF online to get round it.

Wish we could get academic prices and give tiny discounts on our books.

One reason academic books seem so expensive ( and they are ) is because we have become used to getting our other books at rock bottom prices.

Publishers of academic books give very small discounts,( compared to the 50% + which is standard on trade books, )and I would think have very small print runs on first editions, which makes “hight street” pricing impossible.
And why would they go to all the effort of publishing, for a print run of 250/500 at standard Royal HB price of sub £20 ?

[Bryn]

Thanks for that Richard. Now I wish I had not been so hasty, and ordered a "used, like new" copy when I thought I would get no response here. Ah well, at least it will offer an alternative take.

[jayne lee wilson]

Thanks for that Richard. Now I wish I had not been so hasty, and ordered a "used, like new" copy when I thought I would get no response here. Ah well, at least it will offer an alternative take.

I think it will offer much more than that - not least, warmer, closer more immediate sound than the Bamert. I feel the acoustic complements that percussive, brassy orchestral attack very strikingly. Very winning, colourful, characterful performances I tend to go back to first (the BBCSO has the more neutral, classic radio orchestra sound)....
And in the excellent, extensive notes, you do get a very detailed 13-track guide to No.4 by Malcolm MacDonald...
Perez had only just got his Tenerife band together through the 1990s really, and the sense of shared excitement-of-discovery is palpable. MEO gave it a very positive welcome in the G. too (2/97, with useful interview with Perez).. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Quite the reverse!

Oh and, if that isn't attraction enough, the Symphony No.2 is the revised 1967-8 edition on the Montaigne (a revision which Gerhard seems not to have finished, working on, among other things, a 5th Symphony - now there's a tantalus...), where Bamert's gives us the première of the original, (1957-9). So there you are, Bryn - reasons to be cheerful...

... bear in mind that the Montaigne series has other good things in it, not least Volume 7 with stunning performances of the Harpsichord/Percussion and Piano/Strings Concertos. The soloists are marvellously virtuoso (amazing pianist - Albert Attenelle), the Barcelona SO plays very well for Foster, and playing them both last night on Audirvana/Qobuz I was bowled over. What wonderful music! The slow movement of the Piano Concerto is one of Gerhard's most hypnotically dark, dreamlike creations. If I had to choose I'd take them over the Chandos ones...