George Dyson
Sun, Aug 28 2011, 7:45PM
Dyson seems to be a wonderful composer. After listening to his Violin concerto I am a big fan. I will certainly explore his music more. Any other Dyson admirers on the Forum?
Mon, Aug 29 2011, 3:50PM
#2
RE: George Dyson
Yes,John,it´s that recording and I have a couple of other discs with Hickox conducting Dyson. I get the same feeling as I had after listening to Stanfords second piano concerto: why is this music never played in concert halls? Exchange the Brahms or Mendelssohn concertos with the Dyson, and one of the Chopin or Rachmanninov´s with the Stanford. I truly believe most concert-goers would really like this music. Maybe they are played sometimes in England, I don´t know. There is so much wonderful music that no one plays and it´s a real pity.
Mon, Aug 29 2011, 6:00PM
#3
RE: George Dyson
Clearly I'll now have to find Stanford's 2nd Piano Concerto. Do you know that cracking disc of orchestral songs (really naval songs, I suppose!) with Gerald Finley and the BBC NOW under Hickox? It started as Dyson, but we've segued to Stanford... Oh well.
Mon, Aug 29 2011, 6:29PM
#4
RE: George Dyson
Stanford´s second piano concerto is on Chandos with Margaret Fingerhut and the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley.
No,I don´t have that record with Stanford songs, but I´ve found it on Amazon and will order it and continue exploring Stanford. I have some other CDs with his music.
Mon, Aug 29 2011, 8:17PM
#5
RE: George Dyson
Great: and I'll in turn acquire the Stanford 2nd Piano Concerto.
I doubt you'd regret getting that superb Chandos disc - it's wonderful.
Thanks for a fruitful exchange, Bagis. This is partly what the forum is all about, for me. I'm off to Amazon...
Mon, Aug 29 2011, 11:08PM
#6
RE: George Dyson
Stanford´s second piano concerto is on Chandos with Margaret Fingerhut and the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley.
No,I don´t have that record with Stanford songs, but I´ve found it on Amazon and will order it and continue exploring Stanford. I have some other CDs with his music.
I haven't made up my mind about Dyson but the Stanford sea songs are a must-have. You will be surprised how familiar they are, or do they just sound as if you have known them all your life?
I guarantee you will be singing at least one of them after a single listening.
Which neatly brings me on to recommend his symphonies and other orchestral works heavily influenced by Brahms and Mendelssohn. So, nothing to dislike there.
Fortunately, both Lloyd-Jones and Handley have recorded all the symphonies.
Tue, Aug 30 2011, 6:45PM
#7
RE: George Dyson
Yes John, it is always nice to find someone with similar tastes in music. I appreciate it very much and look forward to further discussions with you. I am exploring english music a little bit and hope to find some real gems. And also of course all the great musicians - conductors, pianists, violinists etc - who have made great recordings. Am listening right now to a wonderful swedish pianist named Hans Leygraf playing Haydn sonatas. He might not be so recognized internationally, but has spent a lot of time in Austria. I think he is most known for his Mozart interpretations. A really wonderful pianist.
Wed, Aug 31 2011, 1:28PM
#8
RE: George Dyson
Dyson is an interesting figure. I enjoy the symphony and the Concerto da Chiesa. I have heard Canterbury Pilgrims, it was interesting but I haven't yet bought it for myself. My mother in law's choir started rearsing CP way back (decades before she met me), and she regrets that the challenge of the work proved too much for them.
I am aware of quite a lot of music for children / students.
Best wishes,
P
Thu, Sep 1 2011, 7:41AM
#9
RE: George Dyson
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Wed, Sep 21 2011, 12:27PM
#10
RE: George Dyson
Don't forget the rather brilliant new recording of Stanford's PC2 from Finghin Collins and the RTE Symphony Orchestra on Claves - ed's choice in Gramophone about 6 months ago, and appropriately Irish forces to boot (Ireland really should be more proud of CVS - where's the 'stanford prize' - the 'stanford academy'?)!
I've often thought that Dyson was one of those 'Anglican' composers who could manage the structure of a Magnificat with perfection, but not much else. I'll check out those works you both mention and see if I'm wrong (given your enthusiasm I hope/imagine I am).
Absolutely, Bagis! I think the Violin Concerto is a great piece, and you've reminded me I must listen to it again. (Presumably it's the Mordkovitch/CLS/Hickox recording on Chandos you've been listening to - the only one? How has Hyperion not recorded it?!) The Symphony is also very good, although to my ears it may not be quite as well-sustained as the concerto; it's well worth exploring, though, and there's a fine BSO/Lloyd-Jones recording on Naxos as well as the CLS/Hickox on Chandos.
One work of Dyson's I've always wanted to explore is The Canterbury Pilgrims. Does anyone have any thoughts on its merits?
John