BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Oliver Knussen; undated performance.
Peter Serkin, conducted by Oliver Knussen (orchestra not identified; undated performance).
4 Comments
Guy Holloway
on August 10, 2022 at 9:10 am
Thanks for posting these, Colin.
Google tells us the orchestra for the piano concerto is the London Sinfonietta – recorded by the BBC on 18 June 1993 at Snape Maltings Concert Hall.
Jack rightly extols Goehr’s illustrious career as a teacher…he was magnificent.
But I want to add equal emphasis to the tremendous powers he has as a composer of totally uncompromising music. It is music born of deep thought and humanity. His attention to the state and condition of the human spirit has given birth to often stern and sometimes almost impenetrable music, but also episodes of elegiac beauty.
Sandy has almost certainly received more honorary doctorates than any other living composer and I know that his deep dislike for establishment conservatism has seen him refuse those tokens of ‘honours’ spawned in the establishment.
Indeed, although he actually once worked for the BBC, he has never shied away from criticising the top management of that often self-congratulating governance. But the price for his frankness and honesty (and I speak from personal experience in this matter), is that this so-called bastion of musical culture has yet again snubbed and ignored Sandy at a time when we should literally surge with pleasure and pride at the sums of a great man’s contributions to the world of musical ideas. Shame on you Radio 3!
A great deal is being written about the demise of this once vivid, vital, vociferous, valedictory, and valuing radio station. I intend (in spite of undoubted further damage to my own standing with the BBC, in whom I have discovered my music can thrive without their support), to formally protest at this shocking disregard for the recognition of musical greatness.
I urge you all, who care about honouring humanity and creative genius, to join me and also write to protest. Don’t bother writing to Radio 3, they’ve made their stance and ignorance clear. Write to the top – the Director General!
My love, admiration, respect, and appreciation for Sandy’s gifts is unbounded … but please let’s not compound the horrific decline in musical culture in this country by allowing Sandy’s birthday to come and go without just praise for a very great man.
Thanks for posting these, Colin.
Google tells us the orchestra for the piano concerto is the London Sinfonietta – recorded by the BBC on 18 June 1993 at Snape Maltings Concert Hall.
Thanks Guy, or should I say Sherlock.
Edward Cowie writes:
I don’t know how many have picked up on Jack Van Zandt’s excellent British Music Society tribute to the brilliance and genius of Alexander Goehr, who turns 90 today. https://www.britishmusicsociety.co.uk/2022/07/notes-from-my-apprenticeship/?fbclid=IwAR2wiagIk0QE1r7gqEBQS5zjVCKVA2qGBkHtwlw2zzrsBVk5RZX3XpOEzGQ Perhaps it’s only composers of my generation who will KNOW fully what an extraordinary and revolutionary contribution Sandy has made to British – indeed, the world of music.
Jack rightly extols Goehr’s illustrious career as a teacher…he was magnificent.
But I want to add equal emphasis to the tremendous powers he has as a composer of totally uncompromising music. It is music born of deep thought and humanity. His attention to the state and condition of the human spirit has given birth to often stern and sometimes almost impenetrable music, but also episodes of elegiac beauty.
Sandy has almost certainly received more honorary doctorates than any other living composer and I know that his deep dislike for establishment conservatism has seen him refuse those tokens of ‘honours’ spawned in the establishment.
Indeed, although he actually once worked for the BBC, he has never shied away from criticising the top management of that often self-congratulating governance. But the price for his frankness and honesty (and I speak from personal experience in this matter), is that this so-called bastion of musical culture has yet again snubbed and ignored Sandy at a time when we should literally surge with pleasure and pride at the sums of a great man’s contributions to the world of musical ideas. Shame on you Radio 3!
A great deal is being written about the demise of this once vivid, vital, vociferous, valedictory, and valuing radio station. I intend (in spite of undoubted further damage to my own standing with the BBC, in whom I have discovered my music can thrive without their support), to formally protest at this shocking disregard for the recognition of musical greatness.
I urge you all, who care about honouring humanity and creative genius, to join me and also write to protest. Don’t bother writing to Radio 3, they’ve made their stance and ignorance clear. Write to the top – the Director General!
My love, admiration, respect, and appreciation for Sandy’s gifts is unbounded … but please let’s not compound the horrific decline in musical culture in this country by allowing Sandy’s birthday to come and go without just praise for a very great man.
Recent R3 broadcasts of Goehr’s music:
July 30, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0019kr6, includes an interview with the composer.
August 6, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0019s9z
Goehr world premieres are included.