Rare Elisabeth Maconchy performances on 3

[Serial_Apologist]

Two rare Maconchy b/casts coming up: String Quartet No 3 (1938) coming up on today's Lunchtime Concert; Overture "Proud Thames" (1952) on tomorrow's Afternoon Concert

[teamsaint]

Two rare Maconchy b/casts coming up: String Quartet No 3 (1938) coming up on today's Lunchtime Concert; Overture "Proud Thames" (1952) on tomorrow's Afternoon Concert

Thanks S_A.

AND

Her setting of " And Death Shall Have No Dominion" on Satdee.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ezwxp6

I don't think any easily available recording exists. I have been waiting a long time to hear this, since I sang in a performance nearly 50 years ago.

My recollection of it is that it is a fine, punchy work, befitting the material.

I'm away this weekend, so looking forward to catching up next week.

[Serial_Apologist]

Quite an interesting example of what must have then seemed quite daring in English musical circles - Machonchy's quartet mostly oscillating in motivic decorations around major/minor alternations a minor third apart - but in fact was more analogous to the 1930s suburban semi-detach version of modernism, without the mock Tudor facings. Many it seems didn't realise Frank Bridge was writing much more radical stuff at that time, viz his Fourth Quartet; and the other Elisabeth's first attempt at 12-tone composition had still another three years to come to realisation.

[ardcarp]

Thanks for the heads up SA even if the semi-detached suburbs were a little harsh. But I was amused by reference to ‘the other Elizabeth’. I was in a choir (moons ago) that performed a piece by Machonchy with the composer present at the rehearsal. The conductor kept referring to her as ‘Miss Lutyens’ despite the choir’s embarrassed throat-clearings.

PS About to listen now...spiritually and physically far removed from the suburbs.

[Serial_Apologist]

Thanks for the heads up SA even if the semi-detached suburbs were a little harsh.

The British, or more generally, English semi, is so ubiquitous hardly anyone associates its design with modernism, in all likelihood. Yet it is, in its own rather special way, especially in the less common and mostly Home Counties, ocean liner-styled variant with horizontally banded Crittal windows, sporting that mini Art Deco motif on the fanlight, and terminating in a curved sweep, with wide roof overhang and, sometimes, light green pantiles. Like much of our supposedly modernist music of the interwar period, it has a uniquely homely feel about it. Many UPVC replacements have sadly got rid of the curve, and my feeling is that if a quite important period of architectural design is to be conserved, it really is high time that double glazing firms came up with a proper curved pane.

[ardcarp]

The British, or more generally, English semi, is so ubiquitous hardly anyone associates its design with modernism, in all likelihood. Yet it is, in its own rather special way, especially in the less common and mostly Home Counties, ocean liner-styled variant with horizontally banded Crittal windows, sporting that mini Art Deco motif on the fanlight, and terminating in a curved sweep, with wide roof overhang and, sometimes, light green pantiles. Like much of our supposedly modernist music of the interwar period, it has a uniquely homely feel about it. Many UPVC replacements have sadly got rid of the curve, and my feeling is that if a quite important period of architectural design is to be conserved, it really is high time that double glazing firms came up with a proper curved pane.

My kinaesthesia is lagging behind yours SA. I really enjoyed the Machonchy SQ. Very much ‘of its time’ and not a million miles from Britten or Tippett IMVHO.

PS. Is the latter day (and arguably regrettable) minimalist obsession just a multi-storey car-park?

[teamsaint]

I see that the Performance of “ And Death...” wasn’t broadcast live.
My bad.
Anybody know if it is due for an airing soon ?I assume it was recorded.

Incidentally, Adrian Partington, talking enthusiastically about the work here,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ezwxp6/play/a3rpd4/p07rf32k

is not quite correct about this being the second ever performance, as we certainly sang it, with composer present IIRC, at the Southern Cathedrals Festival .

[CGR]

Quite an interesting example of what must have then seemed quite daring in English musical circles - Machonchy's quartet mostly oscillating in motivic decorations around major/minor alternations a minor third apart - but in fact was more analogous to the 1930s suburban semi-detach version of modernism, without the mock Tudor facings. Many it seems didn't realise Frank Bridge was writing much more radical stuff at that time, viz his Fourth Quartet; and the other Elisabeth's first attempt at 12-tone composition had still another three years to come to realisation.

Nothing wrong with those nice 1930s suburban semi-detatched, with or without the mock Tudor. They remain solidly built, very desirable houses in nice areas. If only we had similar houses being built with that build quality today !

[Serial_Apologist]

Nothing wrong with those nice 1930s suburban semi-detatched, with or without the mock Tudor. They remain solidly built, very desirable houses in nice areas. If only we had similar houses being built with that build quality today !

Oh I'm a Betjemanite nostalgist and apologist myself, so I'm not knocking them! But there was some quite nice, well-built modernism also going up amid the nation's housing stock too, pre-WWII.

[teamsaint]

The Maconchy/Brucker ( I think that is the right way round) concert is likely to be broadcast " around Easter " according to a BBC source. Or employee, as they used to be known.