tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post864919174283588502..comments2024-03-29T07:38:17.008-05:00Comments on The Music Salon: Some Reflections on Messiaen, Part 2Bryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-45990424617010817912015-10-02T08:13:01.045-05:002015-10-02T08:13:01.045-05:00Thanks, Alex!
How I wish that Paul and I had spen...Thanks, Alex!<br /><br />How I wish that Paul and I had spent some time in the recording studio! We did some very nice Paganini and Giuliani in concert. Some was recorded by the CBC, but for broadcast only, not commercial release.Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-7845914880259838102015-10-01T17:35:29.506-05:002015-10-01T17:35:29.506-05:00The 4h by Kling it's on Youtube:
https://www.y...The 4h by Kling it's on Youtube:<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m8Q0nrDzxo<br /><br />...and also, on the other side of the LP, the 5th:<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqRfJFOfUEE<br /><br />They were recorded in Europe in the 1950s with different pianists and issued under the Remington label.Alex Lobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05481118507583819914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-41578158129631351962015-10-01T12:08:46.849-05:002015-10-01T12:08:46.849-05:00Where did you hear the 4th violin sonata? I have a...Where did you hear the 4th violin sonata? I have a CD of Paul Kling playing the Beethoven Violin Concerto and the Kreutzer Sonata, but I don't think it was ever commercially available.<br /><br />Yes, I'm very grateful!Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-12931753048869031172015-10-01T10:42:17.845-05:002015-10-01T10:42:17.845-05:00I've just read the post you dedicated to him a...I've just read the post you dedicated to him and I've listened his Beethoven's 4th violin sonata. What a great musician! And quite a character. You're fortunate to have met him. Alex Lobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05481118507583819914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-39813482134753980482015-10-01T10:06:33.724-05:002015-10-01T10:06:33.724-05:00Thanks, Alex. Those look fascinating! I knew one e...Thanks, Alex. Those look fascinating! I knew one erstwhile resident of Teresienstadt very well: the Czech-Jewish violinist Paul Kling, with whom I used to concertize. He was transferred to Auschwitz, which he also survived.Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-38230141181946040102015-10-01T09:57:58.652-05:002015-10-01T09:57:58.652-05:00Although not comparable to Messiaen, there actuall...Although not comparable to Messiaen, there actually were some Czech-Jewish composers who wrote and played their music in Theresienstadt, where the nazis, for propaganda reasons, allowed some degree of cultural life. Here are a couple of compilations, one of them by Anne Sofie von Otter:<br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terez%C3%ADn:_The_Music_1941%E2%80%9344<br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terez%C3%ADn_-_Theresienstadt_%28Anne_Sofie_von_Otter_album%29<br /><br />Speaking of solo flute pieces, the three cicles of solo flute pieces called Les Chants de Nectaire, by Charles Koechlin, deserve a careful hearing:<br />http://www.nectaire.org/nectaire/cms/cms_module/index.htmAlex Lobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05481118507583819914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-47159527897876299762015-08-30T11:54:21.996-05:002015-08-30T11:54:21.996-05:00I think what makes me reluctant to read that book ...I think what makes me reluctant to read that book is the "fictional" part. But I will seek out the book by Rebecca Rishin. Thanks so much for the link to the essay by Alex Ross. You know, I think that is one of the best things I have read by him...<br /><br />Many more posts on Messiaen in the works, but they will come in the fullness of time!Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-11576263754435109632015-08-30T11:41:46.214-05:002015-08-30T11:41:46.214-05:00I skipped probably a full half if not more of that...I skipped probably a full half if not more of that <i>The Miracle of Stalag 8A</i>, by the way, the fictional dialogues being fairly repetitive-- although the author McMullen gets points for his characterisations of the others (Akoka, Pasquier, Le Boulaire) who were not simply extras on the stage and were also not fervent 'Messiaenists', in terms of music or of religion. He did use Rebecca Rischin's book as a source for QET, reviewed more or less by Alex Ross here-- http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/03/22/revelations-2, which I had read although it's no longer on my shelves, alas.Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-20044988601468866352015-08-30T09:12:52.415-05:002015-08-30T09:12:52.415-05:00None, that is, except Messiaen!None, that is, except Messiaen!Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-18707591612212078422015-08-30T09:12:18.352-05:002015-08-30T09:12:18.352-05:00How many composers wrote one of their most famous ...How many composers wrote one of their most famous compositions--and had it premiered--in a prisoner-of-war camp? None!<br /><br />I knew a great violinist who, since he was Jewish, spent some time in two different concentration camps. Here is my post on him:<br /><br />http://themusicsalon.blogspot.mx/2011/12/in-memoriam-paul-kling.htmlBryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-45373676194717328122015-08-29T14:25:41.611-05:002015-08-29T14:25:41.611-05:00(How many composers have historical fictions writt...(How many composers have historical fictions written about them? In this case, I believe the Catholic angle is what prompted the effort.)Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-83208459243853901252015-08-29T14:24:36.225-05:002015-08-29T14:24:36.225-05:00Am reading a historical fiction about Messiaen'...Am reading a historical fiction about Messiaen's experience in the Second World War called <i>The Miracle of Stalag 8A-- Beauty Beyond the Horror</i>, about all that and the <i>Quatuor pour le fin du temps</i>. It is filled with concrete details which while I haven't bothered to confirm every one I can't imagine that gentleman took any great liberties with etc etc (e.g. did M. actually have dysentery in July 1940 at the pre-Stalag 8A French internment camp?)-- anyway, the author is no Chateaubriand or Saint-Beuve but it's a quick read (240 pages in the printed edition, $3 via Kindle). Later today-- such is the plan, at any rate-- will move on to Robert Sherlaw Johnson's honest-to-goodness biography. Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-55554869382748441452015-08-29T08:15:37.269-05:002015-08-29T08:15:37.269-05:00I think one of the reasons that Debussy and Varèse...I think one of the reasons that Debussy and Varèse both wrote for solo flute is that it is a largely unexplored medium. Sometimes I think that the mathematically-oriented analyses of people like George Perle are intended to be difficult to understand. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you like the piece, fine. If you don't, also fine. I don't think that this particular kind of analysis is going to change your mind.<br /><br />One of the questions a friend of mine was asked as part of his oral examination for a doctorate in composition was "what is the influence of Debussy on 20th century music?" The answer can be pretty long and complex! Debussy in many ways is the beginning of a lot of the trends in 20th century music. His music rejects a lot of the aesthetic of Romanticism. Messiaen is another stage in the evolution of 20th century music, but, like Debussy, interesting for the music itself, irrespective of any historical considerations. Varèse is a more radical figure and one that I have not had a lot of interest in exploring up to now. In the future, who knows?Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-39149479342910822292015-08-28T15:38:35.462-05:002015-08-28T15:38:35.462-05:00I've listened to Le merle noir, Syrinx, and De...I've listened to <i>Le merle noir</i>, <i>Syrinx</i>, and <i>Density 21.5</i> a few times now, and while I'm prepared to admit that the solo flute well played makes for a perfectly pleasant or at any rate interesting four minutes or so of music, am not willing to commit to anything beyond that, chiefly because I don't know enough about the intents and purposes and structure etc etc-- e.g. George Perle's 1990 book serves as the major source of the Wiki article on the Varèse and frankly I just got lost amidst the interval cycles and pitches versus pitch classes etc etc; I mean, I'm sure it's all clear to you, Bryan, and you others who know about these things but he loses me. <br /><br />Varèse, Scriabin, the Schönberg circle "initiate the beginning of a new mainstream tradition in the" 20th c.-- well, that I've understood, sure, sure. I wonder how Debussy fits in the 'new tradition', and Messiaen, or if their composition techniques are distinguishable from this branch of the modern tree? Hmm.<br /><br />Am listening to Hélène Grimaud play Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann for an hour.Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-35280487396301696772015-08-27T16:33:36.938-05:002015-08-27T16:33:36.938-05:00It is kind of interesting to compare the Debussy w...It is kind of interesting to compare the Debussy with the Varèse, I think. Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-47687832677033426162015-08-27T15:34:28.741-05:002015-08-27T15:34:28.741-05:00Am looking forward to listening to both the Varèse...Am looking forward to listening to both the Varèse and the Mozart this evening. In that order, I think. Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-28401037865299645872015-08-27T12:28:13.790-05:002015-08-27T12:28:13.790-05:00Edgar Varese's flute piece is pretty terrible ...Edgar Varese's flute piece is pretty terrible imo (listened to it live once, somewhat unbearable). An amazing piece that includes the flute is Mozart's Flute Concerto.Rickardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08084578675339015204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-34983293226211734352015-08-27T10:17:33.091-05:002015-08-27T10:17:33.091-05:00Thanks! Will listen this evening.Thanks! Will listen this evening.Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-47241812147526940622015-08-27T07:30:12.207-05:002015-08-27T07:30:12.207-05:00The other famous piece for solo flute is by Edgar ...The other famous piece for solo flute is by Edgar Varèse, titled "Density 21.5" and it is worth listening to.Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-66406222442330420922015-08-26T20:53:42.695-05:002015-08-26T20:53:42.695-05:00The Debussy Syrinx is lovely-- now I must re-liste...The Debussy Syrinx is lovely-- now I must re-listen to <i>Le merle noire</i>; it is entirely possible that I was not so much not over-enthused by the Messiaen as by the flutist? Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-16179613868023451932015-08-26T08:31:12.578-05:002015-08-26T08:31:12.578-05:00No, have never heard it so far as I know; two and ...No, have never heard it so far as I know; two and half minutes of flute, I see, and often recorded. Will listen when I get to work....Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-49865951203349070032015-08-26T08:24:29.899-05:002015-08-26T08:24:29.899-05:00I am delighted that there is such a warm reception...I am delighted that there is such a warm reception for my new series of posts on Olivier Messiaen!<br /><br />Marc, do you know Syrinx by Debussy?<br /><br />Thanks, Christine. That is such a nice comment that I would like to put it up as a quote. May I?Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-68462382619044048842015-08-26T07:10:04.171-05:002015-08-26T07:10:04.171-05:00First thing I do when I get up is check your blog ...First thing I do when I get up is check your blog to see what new music I'm going to discover. That was lovely. Thanks!Christine Lacroixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006109075551438090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-38050303507539732552015-08-25T15:15:23.287-05:002015-08-25T15:15:23.287-05:00As you may recall, since I know I commented on it ...As you may recall, since I know I commented on it here, probably as a tangent to whatever your post was actually interested in, ahem, <i>Le merle noir</i> was featured on the program of a student recital at the University, in April perhaps-- the first time I'd heard any Messiaen performed outside of church. Lovely, and I don't think I knew it was written as a test piece. But am not too interested in too much of the solo flute-- others find it unfailingly fascinating or beautiful, don't they. Marc in Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331547981498637474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-85892402886140885042015-08-25T11:08:18.769-05:002015-08-25T11:08:18.769-05:00Messiaen is an interesting composer indeed and &qu...Messiaen is an interesting composer indeed and "The Blackbird" is a nice piece.Rickardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08084578675339015204noreply@blogger.com