Care to play Name That Tune?

[pies]

I'm not sure if anyone will get this.

[retrouvailles]

I'm not sure if anyone will get this.

That's Nikos Skalkottas's Etude No. 4. I didn't recognize the piece immediately (I knew it was Skalkottas, though), however, but I recognized the sound of Nikolaos Samaltanos's piano immediately, which gave me a bigger clue.

[lontano]

That's Nikos Skalkottas's Etude No. 4. I didn't recognize the piece immediately (I knew it was Skalkottas, though), however, but I recognized the sound of Nikolaos Samaltanos's piano immediately, which gave me a bigger clue.

I second that conclusion. I had planned to post a Skalkottas work as well, but if you recognized Samaltonas's piano, rather than the piece, or even the performance, you have a rare disorder I believe. 

L.

[lontano]

Haha, I was intentionally cruel this time around, but it was all for the purposes of exposure, not to see which ones people would get. I will be nicer in the future, though. The radio broadcast is very cruel, yes, but who knows, someone here might have heard it. It has been broadcast many times, and has even been featured at the Proms in 1999 (with Slatkin conducting, hint hint). The other one has had at least 2 recordings commercially, and I happen to have the recording of this year's performance at the Proms.

You have to remember that not everyone lives in England. My total time in the UK was limited to about 2 hours in Heathrow on my way to Munich, so your references to the Proms means very little to this Yankee boy. In my area, I'm lucky to pull in one or 2 classical stations, and none of them broadcast your Proms (as far as I know), or much else I don't already have an intimate knowledge in.

L.

[retrouvailles]

I second that conclusion. I had planned to post a Skalkottas work as well, but if you recognized Samaltonas's piano, rather than the piece, or even the performance, you have a rare disorder I believe. 

Haha, no, I just have very good ears, I think.

You have to remember that not everyone lives in England. My total time in the UK was limited to about 2 hours in Heathrow on my way to Munich, so your references to the Proms means very little to this Yankee boy. In my area, I'm lucky to pull in one or 2 classical stations, and none of them broadcast your Proms (as far as I know), or much else I don't already have an intimate knowledge in.

I don't live in the UK, but rather the US. I have just been very up to date with the performances. I have recordings of many of the Proms concerts from years past, many of which I have found on random websites or have recorded myself off the computer. I have even heard some broadcasts on my local radio station. I am sorry that not many other people follow them that are in the states, though. I really thought more people listened to them here. Oh well, here are the answers, and I have included some relevant info:

1. Christopher Rouse - "Seeing" (1998) (for piano and orchestra) - Emanuel Ax, Franz-Welser Möst, Cleveland Orchestra

2. Willem Pijper - Piano Sonata (1930) - III. Allegro volante - Ronald Brautigam

3. Gerald Finzi - Grand Fantasia and Toccata in D minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 38 (1928) - Peter Donohoe, Howard Griffiths, Northern Sinfonia

4. Henk Badings - Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra (1964) - III. Presto - Ellen Corver, Sepp Grotenhuis, Kees Bakels, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra

[rob47]

good luck with these

[retrouvailles]

good luck with these

Those are a bit short, don't you think? If you don't want to post longer samples, some hints would be nice!

[rob47]

I'd say you're right about the 2nd one. It's way to short and random to be fair.  The first one is ridiculously easy if you know it though. It's the main theme from a movie.

2nd one is someone's arrangement of a Liszt symphonic poem

[richard black]

I recognized the sound of Nikolaos Samaltanos's piano immediately

It may be possible, don't you think, that you recognised the piece subconsciously first - for a start, that recording, being a low-bit-rate MP3, has mangled the sound of the piano pretty severely: but as far as I can judge (and I do spend a lot of my life listening critically to recordings of pianos) it's a pretty normal-sounding recording in essence.

[retrouvailles]

It may be possible, don't you think, that you recognised the piece subconsciously first - for a start, that recording, being a low-bit-rate MP3, has mangled the sound of the piano pretty severely: but as far as I can judge (and I do spend a lot of my life listening critically to recordings of pianos) it's a pretty normal-sounding recording in essence.

I couldn't have recognized the piece immediate first, for I don't know that piece well and had to verify the sample against my mp3. I have a pretty high quality rip in my computer, and the piano sounds exactly the same. I also recognized Samaltanos's playing style immediately. His heavy handed sound is pretty unique, and so is the piano he used in that recording.

I'd say you're right about the 2nd one. It's way to short and random to be fair.  The first one is ridiculously easy if you know it though. It's the main theme from a movie.

2nd one is someone's arrangement of a Liszt symphonic poem

Oh, thats not fair, using the theme from a movie! A good bit of us probably don't listen to film scores, myself included. The arrangement of the Liszt isn't obvious either. I'm going to have to pass on both of those.

[lontano]

I don't live in the UK, but rather the US. I have just been very up to date with the performances. I have recordings of many of the Proms concerts from years past, many of which I have found on random websites or have recorded myself off the computer. I have even heard some broadcasts on my local radio station. I am sorry that not many other people follow them that are in the states, though. I really thought more people listened to them here. Oh well, here are the answers, and I have included some relevant info:

1. Christopher Rouse - "Seeing" (1998) (for piano and orchestra) - Emanuel Ax, Franz-Welser Möst, Cleveland Orchestra

2. Willem Pijper - Piano Sonata (1930) - III. Allegro volante - Ronald Brautigam

3. Gerald Finzi - Grand Fantasia and Toccata in D minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 38 (1928) - Peter Donohoe, Howard Griffiths, Northern Sinfonia

4. Henk Badings - Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra (1964) - III. Presto - Ellen Corver, Sepp Grotenhuis, Kees Bakels, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra

Maybe you can PM me with some details on where you find the Prom recordings in the states. Other than when driving, when I listen to WWFM (Trenton, NJ - I am in the Lehigh Valley, PA), I don't generally listen to the radio, even though I know there must be digital broadcasts I can get via my PC. I suppose I'm at the point that I need to study what I already have  - but I still love to hear new music.

First off this is the 1st time I've heard anything by Christopher Rouse. I'll look more closely. And Finzi is certainly not new to me; many music students played a rather few examples of his work (so few, I grew disgruntled at hearing the same works year after year, but that's part of the experience of my job).

So, again some interesting clips, but still pretty obscure. Keep it up and I'll post a clip from a work that's never been performed! 

L.

[retrouvailles]

Maybe you can PM me with some details on where you find the Prom recordings in the states. Other than when driving, when I listen to WWFM (Trenton, NJ - I am in the Lehigh Valley, PA), I don't generally listen to the radio, even though I know there must be digital broadcasts I can get via my PC. I suppose I'm at the point that I need to study what I already have  - but I still love to hear new music.

There's nothing special that I'm doing. I just listen to my local radio station, KUSC, which regularly features broadcasts from all over the world. I also listen to recordings that other radio stations post on their sites. The Cleveland Orchestra used to post their stuff, but not anymore. The LA Phil has some broadcasts for sale. The BBC Proms can also be listened to up to a week after the performance. I am also part of some Yahoo groups for live recordings (private, sorry).

First off this is the 1st time I've heard anything by Christopher Rouse. I'll look more closely. And Finzi is certainly not new to me; many music students played a rather few examples of his work (so few, I grew disgruntled at hearing the same works year after year, but that's part of the experience of my job).

So, again some interesting clips, but still pretty obscure. Keep it up and I'll post a clip from a work that's never been performed! 

L.

Christopher Rouse is highly performed in the US. He is known for his orchestral and concerto works (not his piano concerto, as much as others). He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for his Trombone Concerto, which is fabulous, and was written in memory of Leonard Bernstein. I encourage everyone to check him out.

Perhaps I'll do another few samples, but I will make them easier this time around.

[lontano]

good luck with these

The first one is Wendy (nee Walter) Carlos' grand opening theme to Stanley Kubrick's brilliant 1971 film adaptation of Anthony Burgess' "A Clockwork Orange" (can you tell I'm a fan?). What the exact title is I can't recall (without popping the DVD in and checking credits).

The 2nd is too short for me to determine. If I know a work, I can almost always place it dead-on, or nearly so, and this didn't happen, so I don't know it.

[Unfortunately, due to severe depression, 13 years ago I underwent 12 treatments of ECT in 4 weeks, which helped my depression, but laid waste to a remarkably well-developed memory which aided (and was aided by) my work as a librarian. In one month, a vast array of knowledge was turned almost to a tabula rasa, and only some of that memory system has returned - much probably never will...  ]

Lontano

[pies]

a

[lontano]

These shouldn't be too hard.  Works by composers that are controversial on 88street.

Yes, 88th Street, Anytown, USA. 

I'm out of the loop here. Both works have a single tonal center yet have not triggered a memory, so, honestly I can't guess.

I'll swap you one that probably never hit 88th Street, but I'm moving closer to works that are finally getting some respect some 88 years after their release.

[retrouvailles]

Wow, I am stumped by those last three samples. Any hints?

[anodibu]

These shouldn't be too hard.  Works by composers that are controversial on 88street.

First one must be Finnissy. I don't recognise the piece but the style is his.
The second one I don't recognise either but I think it's Sorabji.

[anodibu]

Ok, here are 2 for you.

[pies]

A

[lontano]

These shouldn't be too hard.  Works by composers that are controversial on 88street.

Listening to your 2 selections again, and the first reminds me of Messiaen's "Mode de valeurs et d'intensités", except that it is not 12-tone, but I like the sound.

And the 2nd does sound something like Sorabji, but of all the works I know, the only one that I thought it might be from is "Concerto per suonare da me solo", but looking through the score I can't find that repeating note, so I'm still at a lost on that one.

[lontano]

Yup, first is Finnissy's Folklore II.  Second is Sorabji's Rosario d'Arabeschi.

I have no idea what yours are.


I've attached a new piece that's a bit crazy 

Finnissy. It had to be Finnissy. And Rosario d'Arabeschi, the one Sorabji CD I was looking all over for just 2 days ago, for a completely different reason (I'm almost certain I have it, but I can't find it, and don't want to replace it if in fact I do have it!).

And that last clip could have been cut down by about 80% to get the idea across. Any chance it's Clarence Barlow?

[retrouvailles]

Yeah, pies, your last one definitely sounds like one of Barlow's pieces for player piano. Not sure which one though.

[lontano]

Wow, I am stumped by those last three samples. Any hints?

Re: My Mystery7. A hint: It isn't Paul Dukas, so it just might be the middle movement of <this composer>'s piano sonata.

[pies]

Yep, it's Barlow.  It's his variations on Beethoven's last sonata.

[lontano]

Yep, it's Barlow.  It's his variations on Beethoven's last sonata.

Woopie! I (almost) nailed one!

[anodibu]

Any takers on the clips I uploaded?

[lontano]

Ok, here are 2 for you.

The style of composition is familiar, and I can easily understand how these works might be special to you, but the same unforeseen (by me, as the initiator of this thread) problem is that very short clips from the immense world of classical (or as my dad lovingly called it "longhair music", which suited me just fine by 1969, much to his chagrin), from so many periods, just can't be kept in the "locally-accessible, yet long term" areas of the average human mind.

In other words, make the clips a little longer, or a little less vague, please.

L.

[anodibu]

It's ok, to be honest I didn't think anyone would recognise them (well the second one should be recognised by at least one person on this forum!) but you're right the clips could be longer. I saw this as an opportunity to present some works that could peak interest without prejudice of knowing the composer.

You're right that the style of composition is familiar because the composer of the first clip has been featured on this thread already. The work is WAM by Finnissy, quite an interesting work.

The second clip is by none other than Alistair Hinton (hence my earlier remark). It's the beginning of the Scherzo of his String Quintet.

[retrouvailles]

Hmm, I should have known the Hinton nomination. I actually sort of admire that work, but I like his Variations on a Theme of Grieg far more (not just because I am a pianist).

[lontano]

Hmm, I should have known the Hinton nomination. I actually sort of admire that work, but I like his Variations on a Theme of Grieg far more (not just because I am a pianist).

As Hinton's Variations are the only work of his I know, despite recommendations, it's the only one I know, and that hardly helps when trying to ID a string work. Interesting choices though.

L.

[cygnusdei]

So many mystery pieces - I lost track of which are being referred to ....

Anyway, here is one. I'm pretty sure someone knows it.

[lontano]

So many mystery pieces - I lost track of which are being referred to ....

Anyway, here is one. I'm pretty sure someone knows it.

Well, this a realm of many examples of "<Preludes> And/Or <Fugues>" of which there are thousands. I'm going out on a limb and suggesting the composer as Shostakovitch, but it could be JS Bach. Sorry.  

I'll offer up a couple, one I'm pretty certain someone will ID quickly, and the other probably not, but it may be an interesting treat.

[retrouvailles]

Well, this a realm of many examples of "<Preludes> And/Or <Fugues>" of which there are thousands. I'm going out on a limb and suggesting the composer as Shostakovitch, but it could be JS Bach. Sorry.  

I'll offer up a couple, one I'm pretty certain someone will ID quickly, and the other probably not, but it may be an interesting treat.

Mystery 8 is the 1st movt of the Carter piano sonata. No idea about the other one.

So many mystery pieces - I lost track of which are being referred to ....

Anyway, here is one. I'm pretty sure someone knows it.

All I know is that it's something in F minor and is probably the beginning of a fugue. Why did you do such a short sample, though?

[lontano]

Mystery 8 is the 1st movt of the Carter piano sonata. No idea about the other one.

Yes, the first was Carter, and Mystery9 is from Eric Chisholm's big "Sonata in A" (first movement).

L.

[gep]

That's Simeon Ten Holt's Canto Ostinato. I really don't care for that work at all. It isn't the kind of minimalism that I like, and he really isn't one of the better modern Dutch composers. Look at Hendrik and Louis Andriessen, Theo Verbey, Willem Pijper (early 20th century), Tristan Keuris, Jakob van Domselaer (gep posted some of his music, also early 20th century), and many, many more. Dutch composers have been a focal point for me lately. I am having a lot of fun exploring their music, which is rather rich and unique. There are even some good romantic Dutch composers, too, but they aren't as significant as most of the more modern ones, in my opinion.

As for Tristan Keuris, there is now out a box with his complete works (but perhaps you already have it); I ordered it a while ago, but have not received it yet. I did hear a String Quartet live recently though, quite impressive!

Here's a link, in Dutch, but there's an "English" button too.https://www.muziekcentrumnederland.nl/hedendaags/nieuws/artikel/artikel/3024/

gep

[lontano]

As for Tristan Keuris, there is now out a box with his complete works (but perhaps you already have it); I ordered it a while ago, but have not received it yet. I did hear a String Quartet live recently though, quite impressive!

Here's a link, in Dutch, but there's an "English" button too.https://www.muziekcentrumnederland.nl/hedendaags/nieuws/artikel/artikel/3024/

gep

Unfortunately, for some reason, when I click on the English tab the article on T. Keuris appears to be replaced by articles on Louis Andriessen (and iPhones as musical instruments). So I remain rather ignorant of Tristan Keuris music.

L.

[john11inc]

I added some clicking so iTunes can't figure out what these are (hopefully), but at least two of them are from labels that won't work on, so we'll see D:

Mostly a challenge to retrouvailles, who has been crazy-good at this D:  Like, I think the only one I would have gotten was the Skalkottas.

I went for hard-to-find performances of weird pieces, but all the composers are ones you'll (he'll) be familiar with.

[john11inc]

Easier ones for everyone else D:

[retrouvailles]

I've listened to all of those quickly, and I don't know any of them. They're all a bit short, and, as for the first four which you've prepared for me, there is nothing really distinctive about them, so there's probably no way I'll be able to get them. I'll listen harder to the easier 4 though.

[john11inc]

Why do you guys download them?

That just makes me think they're being played in a program that can find out what they are.  There's no reason not to stream a 128kbps that's 45'' long.

[john11inc]

I've listened to all of those quickly, and I don't know any of them. They're all a bit short, and, as for the first four which you've prepared for me, there is nothing really distinctive about them, so there's probably no way I'll be able to get them. I'll listen harder to the easier 4 though.

If you don't get them and Alistair isn't playing, nobody is going to get them.  They were:

Scodanibbio- Only Connect (30 Print CD)
Barrett- Adrift (Not Published)
Babadjanian- Color Piece (OOP)
Johnson- Suite for Piano and Electronics (Mislabeled; thusly a trap!)

lol

[retrouvailles]

Why do you guys download them?

That just makes me think they're being played in a program that can find out what they are.  There's no reason not to stream a 128kbps that's 45'' long.

I didn't download any of them. When you play them in pianostreet's built-in player, it shows it as a download. And no, I haven't used any such programs (honest), and I don't even know of any that exist.

If you don't get them and Alistair isn't playing, nobody is going to get them.  They were:

Scodanibbio- Only Connect
Barrett- Adrift
Babadjanian- Color Piece
Johnson- Suite for Piano and Electronics

Yeah, there was absolutely no way. I am not into these 4 composers very much, and I know you're a fanatic for these sort of people. Although, to me, Babadjanian sticks out like a sore thumb in that list, heh. I don't even think I've heard of Johnson, though (first names help with modern composers, you know).

[john11inc]

I didn't download any of them. When you play them in pianostreet's built-in player, it shows it as a download. And no, I haven't used any such programs (honest), and I don't even know of any that exist.

Really?  I listened to them a couple times and it still said 1 download.  Maybe it's a per-user thing.  Also, iTunes can typically identify something.

[john11inc]

I don't even think I've heard of Johnson, though (first names help with modern composers, you know).

Oh no, like I said, it's mislabeled.  It's pulled off an LP and I relabeled it as Richard Johnson.  The composer is actually John Richards.  Sorry; I added that note while you were responding X:

[retrouvailles]

Oh no, like I said, it's mislabeled.  It's pulled off an LP and I relabeled it as Richard Johnson.  The composer is actually John Richards.  Sorry; I added that note while you were responding X:

Haha, well, that still doesn't help me much. Don't think I've ever heard of John Richards. Also, pulling it off an LP (which is probably long out of print and hard to find) was a bit mean, haha. Oh well, the other ones were impossible anyways for the reasons you stated.

[gep]

Unfortunately, for some reason, when I click on the English tab the article on T. Keuris appears to be replaced by articles on Louis Andriessen (and iPhones as musical instruments). So I remain rather ignorant of Tristan Keuris music.

L.

How strange and annoying! Done some more searching for you, and this link should work better (I hope!):
https://www.challenge.nl/index.php?group=product&serial=1253006959
You should be able to buy it from there too, if interested. That's 11CD's + 1 DVD for just under €50 (this being something like $ 7,600 by now I think?).

gep

[lontano]

Well, that's a much better link. Thanks. I did find a couple of links to performances with a simple google search, including his piano sonata. Also I read an interesting bio that indicated at the time of his death he believed he had finally discovered a masterful technique for composing (see Symphony in D, et al) - unfortunately he died after a brief illness shortly thereafter.

As for the 11-CD + DVD at 50 euros, I'll have to skip it (it's not a bad price, really), but I'll keep his music in mind.

L.

[retrouvailles]

I should be getting that Keuris set soon. I have quite a few CDs of his music, for there's just something unique about him as a composer that I like. He has a pretty good piano concerto which I know some people here would like, for it isn't anything out of the ordinary and shouldn't offend anyone.

[thalbergmad]

Picked up some weirdo looking stuff recently.

Name the composer who requires what looks to be a rather large percussion set up.

Thal

[john11inc]

Picked up some weirdo looking stuff recently.

Name the composer who requires what looks to be a rather large percussion set up.

Thal

I don't think it's a percussion solo piece, is it?  None of the pieces I know that would fit that are solo.  So, is it for full orchestra/chamber ensemble that includes instruments other than percussion?  If so, I know Cage, Xenakis and Kraft were meticulous about specifying stuff like that, but other than that, I wouldn't want to think too much about it before knowing what the ensemble is.


Actually:

Looks very similar.