Any fans of the music of Henryk Melcer (1869-1928)

[lontano]

Henryk Melcer (1869-1928) was a Polish composer/pianist who's Piano Concertos #1 & 2 are featured on Vol. 44 of Hyperion's "Romantic Piano Concerto" series. I was just looking for any opinions on his music.

Thanks

L.

[retrouvailles]

I really really love those two concertos on the Hyperion label. Other than that, I don't think I have heard any of his other music. However, I think the only three people he would appeal to are me, you, and Thal, which is a shame. His piano concertos are very good music, despite being nothing really unique or groundbreaking.

[thalbergmad]

If you told me his Concerti were by Moskowski, i would undoubtedly believe you.

In my top 5 from the Hyperion Series, but i very much prefer the 1st to the 2nd. Typical Polish romanticism with soaring melodies, octaves and majestic statements. My only other experience with his music are 2 transcriptions of Moniuszko which i have briefly looked at and a Morceaux Fantastique which almost used to be in my repetoire.

A composer worth a look, but too much sugar for some.

Thal

[retrouvailles]

I don't think these two concertos are THAT similar to Moszkowski. Moszkowski's concerto is in a much closer vein to Chopin, and has that kind of delicacy to it. Melcer's are a bit more harder edged and with a bit more harmonic invention. Just look at the opening of the finale of the second concerto!

[lontano]

Well, thanks 2 both of you. Now, if you don't mind, can you give me a rundown of you're favorite X. Scharwenka's 4 concerti, as well as his piano music in general. I recall seeing several of his pieces in my family's music collection, and may have played a few smaller works when I was young, but I've never had a chance to explore his output, and from some of the reading I've done, he seems undeservedly underrepresented in performance (and recordings?). There must be some low-cost CDs of his music available, but I haven't done any searches for the best deals yet.

Thanks again,

L.

[retrouvailles]

I love all four of the Scharwenka concerto. I can't give you my favorite, but I can give you my least favorite, and that one would be the second one. The first and fourth are nice places to begin with his music in general. The second and third are for more seasoned fans. There is a great recording of Seta Tanyel playing the first one (coupled with Chopin's 1st concerto), which I highly recommend. Stay far away from Hamelin's recording of that one on Hyperion, though (however, his account of Rubinstein 4 on that disk is great). Earl Wild also recorded the first one, but it's just about as bad as Hamelin's. For the fourth concerto, get Stephen Hough's recording of that one on Hyperion. Unfortunately, the Tanyel is out of print as far as I know, and the Hough is going to be expensive because it is on Hyperion. Best of luck getting these! They're well worth the trouble and/or money. Perhaps try eBay.

[thalbergmad]

I don't think these two concertos are THAT similar to Moszkowski. Moszkowski's concerto is in a much closer vein to Chopin, and has that kind of delicacy to it. Melcer's are a bit more harder edged and with a bit more harmonic invention. Just look at the opening of the finale of the second concerto!

Similar enough for those that do not know the composers to get confused perhaps.

A lot of Polish romantic concerti are drawn along similar lines whilst still retaining individuality. Zarzycki, Zelenski, Moszkowski & Melcer are different to each other, but created from the same gene pool.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

Well, thanks 2 both of you. Now, if you don't mind, can you give me a rundown of you're favorite X. Scharwenka's 4 concerti, as well as his piano music in general. I recall seeing several of his pieces in my family's music collection, and may have played a few smaller works when I was young, but I've never had a chance to explore his output, and from some of the reading I've done, he seems undeservedly underrepresented in performance (and recordings?). There must be some low-cost CDs of his music available, but I haven't done any searches for the best deals yet.

Thanks again,

L.

If you are gonna buy CD's from this composer, I would avoid the Hamelin recording of the 1st concerto. It contains some of the most boring and unimaginative playing in history. It would be better to try and find a piano roll rather than listen to that dross.

Thal

[lontano]

If you are gonna buy CD's from this composer, I would avoid the Hamelin recording of the 1st concerto. It contains some of the most boring and unimaginative playing in history. It would be better to try and find a piano roll rather than listen to that dross.

Thal

Interesting observations, and you both certainly agree about the  Hamelin - I will avoid. (Like a lot of people, I have very mixed regard for Hamelin; in some places he really is astonishingly fine, while in others he tends to buff the furniture into sawdust (if you get my drift). I greatly admire his promotion of the forgotten great composer-pianists, and when one compares, for example, his rendition of the Godowsky "53 Chopin Etudes" against G.D.Madge (Oh! What a kick in the nads that guy's going to get if I ever catch up with him! ), there's certainly no comparison, but in other areas it's a mixed bag).

But what can you tell me of Scharwenka's solo piano music? There's a lot of it, and plenty of scores to be had at IMSLP, not that I have the chops to play most of it, but I'm curious how it fairs among the late-romantic Polish composers in general, who I'm woefully unfamiliar with, and would like to bring my knowledge up to date without exploring every tidbit of every composer with a name ending with ski/sky/enc(? ). And if there's other, greater Polish composers from this period I might not know of, give me a clue.

My main instruction (and interest) in piano music up to my early 20's was Chopin, Liszt, Bartok, Stravinsky, and the other crew most people considered "popular classical/romantic/modern" in the 60's and 70's. Then I discovered Bach, Mozart, Messiaen, Scriabin, and Stockhausen (etc) and spent way too much time focusing on abstract modern stuff. So here I am with a lot of time on my hands trying to fill in the gaps I missed from too many hours trying to comprehend serialism, and weirder stuff.

Just filling in the gaps, hoping to find a few gems along the way.

Anyone like Myaskovsky? I've admired some of his (many) Symphonies and I think he's likely to offer more, the more I listen. Don't know the piano music though.

L.

[thalbergmad]

But what can you tell me of Scharwenka's solo piano music?

Absolutely nothing as i am only really interested in works for piano and orchestra. Apart from the once extremely popular Dances Op.3 I have no experience of his solo works. I think i remember hearing one of his sonatas was of some value, but i cannot remember which one.

Thal

[retrouvailles]

I've heard some of Scharwenka's piano music and it isn't on par with any of his piano-orchestra or chamber works (which are decent).

I personally really admire Myaskovsky for his symphonies (particularly the masterly 6th). However, his piano sonatas have their moments (particularly the 3rd one). He wasn't one of the better piano composers, though. His symphonies are where his legacy lies. Too bad he didn't compose a piano concerto!

[thalbergmad]

Oh dear, that explains why i have been unable to find one

What a der brain.

Thal

[retrouvailles]

I couldn't imagine you liking Myaskovsky anyways. His music seems like it would be too heavy (and harmonically advanced) for your tastes. But what do I know, you've surprised me before!

[furtwaengler]

I personally really admire Myaskovsky for his symphonies (particularly the masterly 6th). However, his piano sonatas have their moments (particularly the 3rd one). He wasn't one of the better piano composers, though. His symphonies are where his legacy lies. Too bad he didn't compose a piano concerto!

I'll chime in agreement to these comments on Myaskovsky's symphonies. If you don't have the 16 CD set of Svetlanov conducting them all, currently published by Warner Music France, then by all means, scoop it up! They are not terribly expensive, nor should they be hard to find.

And goodness I also lament that no piano concerto did he compose!

Here is the 3rd Sonata mentioned above, performed by Sviatoslav Richter, live 1973.

[opus10no2]

Love this piece.