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A MusicWeb Survey of Our Favourite Neglected Recordings
Posted by Steve Jennings on May 8, 2020, 12:26 am
I just spent a worthwhile and enjoyable hour perusing your new survey. I am pleased to see that Lee Denham has joined the ranks of much esteemed regular reviewers and note his wonderful way with words in his selection of the Klemperer recordings ie "Don Juan opens the disc and lumbers in with all the testosterone of a lothario in an electric mobility scooter".
If I may, I have a minor correction with regard to the availability of Gershwin's "Of Thee I Sing" and "Let Them Eat Cake". Both recordings were included in a 7 CD release from Sony in a box set entitled "Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Gershwin". As usual from this source, the librettos' for these works are not included, although they featured in the documentation when the recordings were initially released. As I write the set is currently available on Amazon UK, although I note there was only one copy left.
Re: A MusicWeb Survey of Our Favourite Neglected Recordings
This is an excellent subject for discussion, and perhaps someone who might be in a position to do something about the neglect will read the lists and *do* something about reissuing the recordings in question.
I have two that I have been "beating the drum" for, to whomever is inclined to listen. Both are Japanese CD releases of repertoire of mainstream, post-Romantic symphonic interest.
(1). Ikuma Dan -- Six Symphonies (Decca Japan and Tower Records). These fabulous, big symphonic works are very much descendants of the Austro/German tradition. Tonal, melodically rich, dramatic, inspired -- for those who love Bruckner and later composers influenced by Bruckner, this repertoire is a must. Decca went to Vienna and hired the Vienna Symphony to record these six masterworks, and the results are simply superb. For all intents, out of print except for a domestic-restricted Japanese reprint by Tower, some enterprising label should license and release these works for the Western market.
(2) Franz Schmidt -- Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln. A sleeper recording of the Schmidt oratorio, which in my opinion is as good as any and better than most. A Japanese orchestra and chorus, European soloists mostly, and inspired conducting by Christian Arming, captured in spectacular sound by the Japanese label Fontec. IF you like the Schmidt in particular or big, Romantic choral/symphonic works in general, then you need to hear this. And a generally available western label needs to license and release it to the rest of the world.
Re: A MusicWeb Survey of Our Favourite Neglected Recordings
Good to find you here too, Steve, with your usual excellent and forensic comments - I didn't know your expertise extended to Gershwin as well ! It was indeed an excellent idea to include a list of neglected recordings, cunningly designed to dent all our bank balances !! John's suggestion of symphonies by Ikuma Dan have certainly piqued my interest and they will be investigated - somehow !