Erik Chisholm Piano Music

[lontano]

The piano works of Erik Chisholm are always taking a journey around  the focus of my "current" music appreciation point (currently trying to become well acquainted with Medtner's large catalog of wonders).

I have 5 CDs of Chisholm's piano works, all performed by the marvelous and devoted Murray McLachlan. There are so many works in this set that are fascinating in different ways. From his best known Piano Sonata in A ("A Red Ribbon"), a true masterpiece, in the astonishingly well-integrated native Scottish influences, transformed into a grand 4 movement Sonata, all the way to the many shorter works with semi-generic titles, this music invigorates me, touching unexpected nerves of my Scottish heritage that was rarely mentioned in my youth.

Technically speaking, even the simplest works are often far from simple. In a similar vein as Bartok and his numerous works for children (of any age), so too are Chisholm's delightful little Airs for Children. But outside the realm of "short works for children", Chisholm explores and exposes his true brilliance as a composer of sophisticated and technically demanding scores. It's hard not to let go when listening to (maybe 30 minutes) of shorter works, and when the real wonders of his major piano works get one (like me) involved, especially with a few drams of a fine Isley SMS to sip, this music really takes me back to the homeland I never knew.

I encourage those seeking some really interesting, brilliantly crafted music, often as demanding as it is beautiful, finely roasted in the heather, honey, peat and ancient, rugged traditions of Scotland, do try to find, even demand, the scores of Erik Chisholm, a challenge in its own sad situation of negligence, and see what you can find!

Erik Chisholm's scores appear to be kept in a "millennium vault", mostly unpublished, but available upon request. His relatives & friends have established a "Erik Chisholm Society" and will provide scores (with a MAXIMUM of effort, it seemed to me) on request. It seems that most of his scores have yet to be published.  

I'm presenting excerpts of a couple of Chisholm's 24 preludes "From the True Edge of the Great World", a fascinating reflection on aspects of the many elements responsible for a "core reflection" of Scotland. Since I've never had the opportunity to visit, I'm just telling a tale from own desires. Maybe Alistair has some opinions worth sharing that I could never approach, as he is a true Scotsman (despite his name   ).

Enjoy!

"Never been to Orkney, but would wish my ashes tossed in the bay."

[thalbergmad]

"Never been to Orkney, but would wish my ashes tossed in the bay."

I have, and nearly was tossed into the bay.

Chisholm is of interest to me. Scores are beyond expensive.

Thal

[gep]

Speaking of Orkney; Thal, d'ya know (Maxwell) Davies' Piano Concerto?

Unless I'm wrong, I think Chisholm was a friend of Sorabji. Hmmm, perhaps the Sorabji Archive should take over distributing the scores?

[thalbergmad]

Never heard the Maxwell Davies concerto, I am only up to the 1950's so far. He lives on one of the outer Orkney Islands and when i went, the ferry was cancelled.

I think Chisholm did know Sorabji and if my memory is correct, there is a photo of the two of them together.

Alistair's prices for Chisholm scores would undoubtedly increase their sales

Thal

[retrouvailles]

Speaking of Orkney; Thal, d'ya know (Maxwell) Davies' Piano Concerto?

I've heard the work, and like much of the rest of his music, I am not sure exactly what I think of it. It is a work that begs me to listen to it again, though. It has a certain kind of curious, sly attitude to it. Haha, had I bought the sheets to it (saw them at a shop), I would have something else that Thal doesn't have!

[ahinton]

Unless I'm wrong, I think Chisholm was a friend of Sorabji.

You're far from wrong; they were very close friends and it was Chisholm who managed somehow to persuade the elder composer to overlook his customary reluctance to perform in public and give no less than four performances in his Active Society concert series in the 1930s. Chisholm is also the dedicatee of Sorabji's Piano Symphony No. 1 - Tantrik.

Hmmm, perhaps the Sorabji Archive should take over distributing the scores?

Thanks for the kind thought, but the answer to that has to "not until and unless it is asked!"...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Haha, had I bought the sheets to it (saw them at a shop), I would have something else that Thal doesn't have!

Not really my era, but i saw it for sale and bought it. It is in my loft in my "unlikely to look at again 20th century British bollox" box.

I would not pay too much attention to that list i posted a while ago, as it is 300 concertos out of date. No doubt though that the CPS has much work to do with 20th Century Concerti.

Thal

[lontano]

You're far from wrong; they were very close friends and it was Chisholm who managed somehow to persuade the elder composer to overlook his customary reluctance to perform in public and give no less than four performances in his Active Society concert series in the 1930s. Chisholm is also the dedicatee of Sorabji's Piano Symphony No. 1 - Tantrik.
Thanks for the kind thought, but the answer to that has to "not until and unless it is asked!"...

Hmmm! Maybe everyone here who likes the idea of Alistair taking on the distribution of Chisholm's scores should write to the Eric Chisholm Society ( https://www.erikchisholm.com/ect/index.php ) and suggest they contact The Sorabji Archive to discuss this very thing. I think it would be a great step forward toward bringing one of Scotland's finest composers to the people. Of course it would be a lot of work for Mr. Hinton, and he would have the final say on whether he's up for the job (should it be offered).

What say ye people?

[ahinton]

Hmmm! Maybe everyone here who likes the idea of Alistair taking on the distribution of Chisholm's scores should write to the Eric Chisholm Society ( https://www.erikchisholm.com/ect/index.php ) and suggest they contact The Sorabji Archive to discuss this very thing. I think it would be a great step forward toward bringing one of Scotland's finest composers to the people. Of course it would be a lot of work for Mr. Hinton, and he would have the final say on whether he's up for the job (should it be offered).

What say ye people?

I would indeed be "up for the job", just as I would be in the same context for the work of certain other people (no names mentioned) who were in one way or another connected with Sorabji, but I must stress that I have less than no desire to risk offending anyone (or having anyone else risk doing so on our behalf) in this regard; no one helped me put together the Sorabji colletion and and I really have less than no wish to have others taking possible umbrage at the idea that I might "take over" - or be recommended to take over - responsibility for such material as you suggest, most kind as it is that such suggestions are being made at all.

Best,

Alistair

[retrouvailles]

"unlikely to look at again 20th century British bollox" box.

What will you end up doing with those? Selling them? Giving them away? Hoarding them for all eternity? I am quite curious.

[thalbergmad]

I think it is an investment and at the moment it is pointless putting money into a bank, so I buy original scores and aim for those that are unusual or out of print.

Last month, i bought a big batch of ex library stock for £200. I don't think they will be worth less than that in 10 years. Buying copies is as waste of money. Once they are digitalised, they might just as well be burned.

That is my plan anyway. I might die broke

Thal

[richard black]

This thread caught my eye because I spent a couple of hours this afternoon recording some Chisholm songs with a singer friend. Nice stuff, really quite haunting. I find the piano music slightly variable but the best is well worth investigating.

[ahinton]

Sorry to make another spelling correction, but since it is that of the name of the composer who is the subject of this thread, it seemed reasonable to me to do it...

Best,

Alistair

[retrouvailles]

Well, that won't do much, for that only changes the topic of your particular post, rather than the topic of the thread itself. The original poster and the admin are the only ones who can change the topic.

[lontano]

Sorry to make another spelling correction, but since it is that of the name of the composer who is the subject of this thread, it seemed reasonable to me to do it...

Best,

Alistair

Oh golly, it was my error all along, and after reading through all the posts I was wondering who made what error...and there it was right in my face. Please accept my humble appopolylogies for being so impetuous in the moment and forgetting to triple-check the spelling of names. Erik, NOT Eric. 

My deepest regrets,
Lontano (the humbled)

[ahinton]

Well, that won't do much, for that only changes the topic of your particular post, rather than the topic of the thread itself. The original poster and the admin are the only ones who can change the topic.

I know that; what it nevertheless will do and has done is to draw attention to it.

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

Oh golly, it was my error all along, and after reading through all the posts I was wondering who made what error...and there it was right in my face. Please accept my humble appopolylogies for being so impetuous in the moment and forgetting to triple-check the spelling of names. Erik, NOT Eric. 

My deepest regrets,
Lontano (the humbled)

No need to go over the top! - but retrouvailles' post above does at least tell you what you can do about it for the thread as a whole.

Best,

Alistair

[lontano]

I trust it has been corrected.

L.