Howells, Herbert (1892 - 1983)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Howells was the subject of the most recent R4 'Great Lives' . Paul Spicer expert witness, Matthew Parris presenter.

- and Ed Balls the enthusiast who niminated him for discussion.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007bd2

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Ooops! I see Cockney Sparrow not only mentioned this in regenerating this Thread, but also spelt "nominated" correctly. I thought I'd seen it mentioned before! My apologies. )

[LMcD]

I was previously unaware that Howells composed a Piano Quartet. It was the second work in a concert which I attended this afternoon, and all I can say is that it's a long time since a work has impressed me so much on first hearing. The other works on the programme were Mozart K478 and Dvorak's Piano Quartet - a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon!
Wob (formerly World of Books) have 1 copy of the Naxos recording of the Howells left, which I've just ordered.

[Pulcinella]

I was previously unaware that Howells composed a Piano Quartet. It was the second work in a concert which I attended this afternoon, and all I can say is that it's a long time since a work has impressed me so much on first hearing. The other works on the programme were Mozart K478 and Dvorak's Piano Quartet - a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon!
Wob (formerly World of Books) have 1 copy of the Naxos recording of the Howells left, which I've just ordered.

You probably already know the coupling on that Naxos CD (SQ3, In Gloucestershire).
I found it rather aggressive in comparison with the other recordings I have, by Divertimenti and the Britten Quartet, which I'd urge you to seek out if you don't know/have them:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/67131--howells-in-gloucestershire-string-quartet-no-3/browse

[smittims]

The Howells piano quartet is very fine, inspired by deep feeling. But my favourite of all his works is the Elegy for viola, string quartet and string orchestra. It's a deeply moving work. There are moments of passion, but it's mostly understated in that very English way that's so eloquent. The 'classic' recording is the Boult on Lyrita.

[Pulcinella]

Listening now to the Naxos CD I probably did it an injustice (though I think I still prefer the other versions of In Gloucestershire).

These notes and the review might be interesting:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2019/Jul/Howells_chamber_8573913.htm

[LMcD]

You probably already know the coupling on that Naxos CD (SQ3, In Gloucestershire).
I found it rather aggressive in comparison with the other recordings I have, by Divertimenti and the Britten Quartet, which I'd urge you to seek out if you don't know/have them:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/67131--howells-in-gloucestershire-string-quartet-no-3/browse

I'm not sure whether it's the Piano Quartet or In Gloucestershire that you consider rather aggressive. I already have the Divertimenti recording of the latter.

[Pulcinella]

I'm not sure whether it's the Piano Quartet or In Gloucestershire that you consider rather aggressive. I already have the Divertimenti recording of the latter.

In Gloucestershire: it's partly the balance/recorded sound.
I have another version of the PQ, on this splendid CD, To Chosen Hill:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7960957--howells-to-chosen-hill