E.J. Moeran

[cbreemer]

Just wondering if there may be some interest in English music here. I just recorded some pieces
by underrated English composer Ernst John Moeran (chiefly known for his marvellous Symphony in G). A video of two of the pieces here

, and two other pieces attached. Comments welcome.

[birba]

Very lovely music and beautifully played.  I kept thinking, what makes this sound so English?!  Especially the first piece.  The harmonies?  Very thick writing with all those parallel chords.  I can't imagine it being easy.  I have to confess my ignorance, i had never heard of Moeran before.

[cbreemer]

Thank you Birba, glad you like them. Most of the greatest English composers shamefully neglected the piano, so it is up to the lesser gods to fill the gap. There is much wonderful material there.
Bank Holiday is a typical Morris Dance, a sort of traditional clog dance. It sounds much like the similar pieces by Grainger. Bloody hard work it is, I don't catch all the 9th and 10th chords perfectly - but I'm good at fumbling
A place like this Audition Room is a good place to get to know some new music, it seems to me that the usual repertoire choice here is a bit traditional (I could be wrong, not having been here for long).

[rachfan]

Hi cbreemer,

These Moeran pieces are beautiful and very well played as well.  Yes, although there is a heavy representation of standard repertoire here, I tend to play the "nonstandard" repertoire.  Many listeners have told me over the years that the lesser known and unknown works I've posted were precisely what they were looking for.  So you'll find a good audience here for more obscure works, I'm sure.

David

[cbreemer]

Thanks David
Yes I know of course you are also one who relishes repertoire off the beaten track. It is so exciting to explore music that you've never heard before. Out of these pieces, I only knew Bank Holiday from Youtube, the other ones I had no idea what they should sound like. In fact I'd almost given up on Stalham River as I couldn't make head or tail of it initially. I'm glad I didn't though

[rachfan]

In fact, Stalham River is my favorite among of all of them.  It's a piece of ravishing beauty in my opinion.

David