Lesser known works by popular composers.
Thu, Nov 18 2010, 9:09PM
Following on from a thread by dubrob regarding lesser known composers, a comment was made by the conductor Geoffrey Simon (I hope it is really he) regarding lesser known works by popular composers. He cited works by Respighi, such as his 'Church Windows'.
So along those lines, what works by popular composers should we all be made more aware of?
Here's my offering, Vaughan-Williams, oboe concerto.
Sat, Nov 20 2010, 12:13AM
#2
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
One of the best examples of a well-known composer with many wonderful works which have been undeservedly neglected is Dvorak. Unfortunately,most classical music lovers know only a handful of his works,such as the ever popular New World symphony and the 7th and 8th, the cello concerto,the Slavonic Dances,and the so-called American quartet.
But his first six symphonies are full of enchanting themes and spontaneous melodic invention, and there are the sadly neglected tone poems based on Czech folklore such as The Noonday Witch, the Water Goblin,the Golden Spinning Wheel and the Wood Dove, and other miscellaneous ones such as the Othello,My Home and In Natures Realm,the Hussites etc, the Symphonic Variations, the great Requiem,which ranks with those of Mozart,Berlioz and Verdi, and other works.
This hauntingly beautiful fairy tale opera is now an established part of the opera repertoire,and this is wonderful, but there are other notable Dvorak operas,such as Dimitrij, which is actually the sequel to Boris Godunov and deals with the false Dimitri and the intrigue which surrounded him after the death of Boris,and the delightfully droll comic opera The Devil and Kate, one of the funniest comic operas ever.
Fortunately there are many fine recordings of these rarely performed works,especiall on the Supraphon label. Any one who loves Dvorak's most famous works should seek them out .
Sat, Nov 20 2010, 4:38PM
#3
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
One of the best examples of a well-known composer with many wonderful works which have been undeservedly neglected is Dvorak.
I love Dvorak but have not explored his operas. His Piano Quintet op81 is an all-time favourite chamber piece of mine. Here's Condaleeza Rice playing it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfSYwJuq3Vg Bizarre!
Sat, Nov 20 2010, 4:41PM
#4
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
William Walton 'Hindemith Variations'.
Sun, Nov 21 2010, 1:05PM
#5
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
Camille Saint-Saens Concert piece for Harp and orchestra op 154,
here on a early 50's Urania LP from the archive of the Dutch radio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxINkD2ZQAM&fmt=22
Enjoy!
Rolf
Mon, Nov 22 2010, 12:36PM
#6
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
Ravel´s Chansons Madecasses
Sat, Nov 27 2010, 9:08PM
#7
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
With Victoria de los Angeles, preferably.
Sun, Nov 28 2010, 9:45PM
#8
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
Holst's 'Capriccio'.
Originally for brass band, I believe. It has a an opening folk-like melody that is so beautiful I'm amazed no folk singer has set it to a traditional set of words. Maybe it ranges too wide.
It then sets off to worlds that recall Stravinsky and Bartok. And all in less than five minutes.
Marvellous orchestral version on one of Imogen Holst's Lyritas.
Mon, Nov 29 2010, 6:39PM
#9
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
Thanks A Lark Ascending I will seek it out.
Wed, Dec 1 2010, 2:39AM
#10
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
Nice topic! I'd recomend Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien by Claude Debussy and also Symphony No. 15 In A Major by Dmitri Shostakovich for starters. These are by far thier most overlooked works.
Wed, Dec 1 2010, 11:48AM
#11
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
I wouldn´t agree. I think Debussy´s 4 hand piano music and his songs are his most overlooked pieces, and as for Shostakovich there´s loads from the pre Stalinist clampdown, e.g. Aphorisms for piano, New Babylon film music, the Golden Age Ballet music; The Nose, Five fragments Op.42, all among his best work for my money and from later on his song cycles and his Viola sonata.
Wed, Dec 1 2010, 8:36PM
#12
RE: Lesser known works by popular composers.
Nice topic! I'd recomend Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien by Claude Debussy and also Symphony No. 15 In A Major by Dmitri Shostakovich for starters. These are by far thier most overlooked works.
Shostakovich 15 is certainly a fine work but I'd hardly call it overlooked. Even amongst the symphonies it's probably had a better shake than between 3 and 10 others, and if you go beyond the symphonies you could quickly compile a couple of pages of estimable Shostakovich that has had less air time than 15, starting with dubrob's mentions.
There's probably a better case for Saint Sebastian although from Monteux through to a recent release on Naxos, the suite has had its share of recordings and there have been at least two cds of the entire work - pretty enervating stuff heard end to end.
For hidden gems from the pens of the great I nominate The Wood-Nymph, Op.15 by Sibelius. It didn't receive its first recording until 1996, on a superb BIS disc that's probably still knocking around. Archetypal Sibelius, and that's good.
Does "Le Cid" by Jules Massenet count?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2rmR4Ejk0&fmt=22
Rolf