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Post by Slinger on Aug 16, 2015 23:08:22 GMT
Inspired by julesd68's recent post about unfamiliar music by familiar composers - I could have called it "Composers you've never heard of" but apart from making me sound like a smart-arse (and setting me up for a fall) I know it's doubtful that there's going to be a composer mentioned that someone here hasn't heard of It might however be fun, and informative, to introduce some of our more obscure favourites.
I''ll start the ball rolling with one of mine. I know of at least one person here who's heard of him; (yes Jerry, I mean you) Sir Granville Bantock. I love British pastoral/classical music in general, and Sir Granville has been a particular favourite of mine since his music was introduced to me on Graham Slee's forum a while back. I also love the cello, so this firs track alone sold him to me.
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Post by Slinger on Aug 18, 2015 16:16:29 GMT
You people do realise that unless you join in you're just going to have to listen to my choices don't you?  How aboout a French composer, Joseph Guy Marie Ropartz (1864 -1955) He wrote some beautiful music and in a fair variety of styles too; piano music, symphonies, choral works, organ music, chamber music... the list goes on. It's nice to find a relatively modern composer who still remembered how to write a tune. Try these for a taster... Requiem Prelude, Marine & Chansons for flute, violin, viola, cello & harp |
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Post by John on Aug 18, 2015 16:58:00 GMT
Here is a modern composer I like.
Jocelyn Pook
Her music often appears in Film Scores as her music is often evocative Not sure if it is really classical as she uses a lot of eastern influnces but certainly has a classical background
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Post by MartinT on Aug 18, 2015 20:25:21 GMT
John McCabeI only knew his Symphony from a single movement, now after some 30 years I finally have the full Symphony and I love it. Am busy discovering a few of his other works, also recorded. 
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Post by MartinT on Aug 18, 2015 20:32:32 GMT
Gyorgy Ligeti
His only piece many people are likely to have heard is the Lux Aeterna (from his Requiem), as used in the film 2001. It's a masterpiece in terms of the way it is performed and its other-worldly shivers-up-the-spine effect. There is simply nothing else like it. Play it loud in a darkened room and you may be quite profoundly affected.
The other pieces I like to listen to are the Bagatelles, which are great fun.
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Post by Slinger on Aug 19, 2015 14:45:00 GMT
Another French composer whose symphonies I enjoy - Albéric Magnard
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 20, 2015 8:06:24 GMT
Thanks for the tips about Guy Ropartz, Paul, he's now on my TIDAL faves list and his 2nd violin sonata is playing now. Very fine! 
My own obscure favourites include ...
Telemann (sort of a light hearted Bach)
John Leifs (approachable late 20thC Scandinavian)
Rodrigo ( he wrote far more music than just the popular guitar concertos! - there's a great series on Naxos, his violin concertos are very special, imo)
Kabalevsky (wonderful cello concertos & symphonies, just to start you off)
Frank Martin (somewhat less approachable 20thC, but try his harpsichord concerto)
Malcolm Arnold (superb Brit symphonies, start with no. 1, on Naxos or Chandos for quite different approaches) |
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 31, 2015 7:32:09 GMT
As a fairly adventurous classical music listener I am always interested in uncovering new music to enjoy. There is so much to enjoy that we may not have come across.
So here's my obscure starter for 10, with some suggestions for an initial listen ...
William Grant Still (2nd symphony, suite for violin and piano) Alla Pavlova (try her 8th symphony, on Naxos) Lionel Sainsbury (violin concerto) Martinu (not that obscure perhaps, but then again .... 1st symphony) Ropartz (violin sonatas, symphonies .... thanks to Paul 'slinger' for the heads-up on this guy!) Biber (Rosary sonatas) Joly Braga Santos (symphonies) Freitas Branco (symphonies 1 & 2) Colin McPhee (2nd symphony) Paul Juon (chamber music, e.g. piano trios)
I eagerly await more suggestions!
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Post by Slinger on Nov 24, 2015 1:14:13 GMT
Here's one for you, Geminiani. His Concerti Grossi are worthy of mention.
On a more modern theme try Alan Hovhaness (I particularly like his 'And God Created The Great Whales') and Peter Sculthorpe who wrote a 'Requiem, for Chorus, Didjeridu & Orchestra' amongst other pieces set against the background of his native Australia.
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