"Andre Jute" wrote in message
oups.com...
"Keith G" writes:
Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No. 1 by Zachar Bron ('Muza' label - SX
1536)

You put your finger on something with Szymanowski, Keith. Also try
Lutoslawski. There more Poles than one would expect who write good
music. It has something to do with their Catholicism. I concluded quite
a while ago (in conversation with John Tavener as it happens but I was
headed there anyway by simple dull statistical analysis) that among the
living composers the only ones really worth listening to believe in God
or are at least religious in some sense, even if only of strong
religious background.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/fiultra/C...MFTavener.html
http://members.lycos.co.uk/fiultra/C...20Rozario.html



Interesting.

I'm a sucker for the highly emotional playing of our Eastern European
friends - all the more so when the recordings are of their own, cherished
Eastern European works on the stunning Supraphon, Hungaroton and Melodya
labels, even if released by EMI.

The recordings made in the 'pre digital' 60s - 80s period retain 'certain
qualities' that I'm sure will be familiar to you and one or two others who
appreciate the distinctive sound of LPs not trying too damned hard to be
CDs....

"Andre Jute" wrote in message
oups.com...
"Keith G" writes:
Szymanowski's Violin Concerto No. 1 by Zachar Bron ('Muza' label - SX
1536)

You put your finger on something with Szymanowski, Keith. Also try
Lutoslawski. There more Poles than one would expect who write good
music. It has something to do with their Catholicism. I concluded quite
a while ago (in conversation with John Tavener as it happens but I was
headed there anyway by simple dull statistical analysis) that among the
living composers the only ones really worth listening to believe in God
or are at least religious in some sense, even if only of strong
religious background.



Hi Keith/Andre.

Must agree. there are many fine Polish composers, especially those from
the 18th Century, who are little known in the UK, and perhaps even
less known in the USA. The same probably applies to the Czech and
Dutch composers too.

Take a listen to Bartolomiej Pekiel "Three Polish Dances", and also to the
compositions of Feliks Jankiewicz and Iganacy Dobrzynski.

Regards to all
Iain

Andre Jute wrote:
Esther Lamandier: L'Esprit de Dieu et les Prophetes Alienor AL1061
(distr Harmonia Mundi)

These are a capella renditions of the words in Hebrew of the Old
Testament, according to Suzanne Haik-Vantoura's reconstruction of how
the Rabbis of old sang them.


I would have to say Frank Zappa's "Dumb all over" is easily as meaningful.

Agree with the Polish composer bit though. I was very lucky some years
ago to go to a Halle concert of Lutoslawski conducted by the man
himself. Quite extraordinary - I was already quite familiar with
recordings but live was utterly wonderful. Of course the middle-aged,
middle class, middle of the road Halle audience stayed away in their droves.

Roy.