The Music of David van Vactor

Hurricane Sandy got me down a bit what with no power in the house but well, here we go at an alternate location.

This Everest record of music by David van Vactor first got my attention in high school and then somewhere along the way, I lost the lp but, fear not, found it at a second hand shop recently. Its delightful, tonal music and the programming is well judged since it covers all facets of instrumental combinations. We have van Vactor's Overture to a Comedy, No 2 for Orchestra, Bagatelles for Strings, Octet for Brass and Variazione Solenne for Quintet for Flute and Strings.

David van Vactor had a rich and varied professional career. he was an orchestral flautist, conductor, composer and respected teacher. As a conductor of the Knoxville SO and professor at the University of Tennessee, van Vactor contributed greatly to the cultural life of that state. This record captures music that is well crafted, fun to listen to and far from boring.

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Jean Fournier and Ginette Doyen play Faure

A lovely 1952 Westminster issue of the Violin Sonatas Nos 1 & 2 performed by husband and wife team of Jean Fournier and Ginette Doyen. Both were excellent performers in the Gallic repertoire and with beautiful melodies like the ones Faure crafts, the results are impressive.

It's too bad that Jena Fournier has pretty much faded into oblivion. He was every much the equal of his more famous brother Paul.


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Khachaturian's First Symphony from Palermo

A novelty here and possibly a mystery to boot. On the Aries label, famed for pirated recordings comes Khachaturian's First Symphony conducted by Ermanno Berladini with the Palermo Symphony Orchestra. Aries LP-1608 is billed as, and is, a true stereo record, probably recorded sometime during the mid to late 60's.

Ermanno Berladini was an authentic figure and the Palermo SO is an actual ensemble (now known as the Sicily SO). What we have here is a rather spirited recording of a second tier work performed by a rather decent orchestra. Whether it is Sicilian or conducted by Berladini is anyone's guess. Again, Aries was notorious for pseudonyms, as witnessed by its series of records dedicated to the orchestral works of Havergal Brian.

This record is a bit of an oddity though I enjoyed it and hope you will too.

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Schubert and Schumann with Leonard Shure and John Barrows

An interesting find, this VOX lp from the late 40's. Catalog number VL6050 features Leonard Shure performing Schubert's  Moments Musicaux along with Schumann's Andante and Variations highlighting duo pianists Appleton & Field, Ralph Oxman and Bebe Sarser on cello, and John Barrows as the horn soloist.

I really, really enjoyed Shure's marvelous take on the Moments Musicaux. His keyboard touch and sense of phrasing are ideal and the results are effervescent. What a wonderful artist he was! Also, nice to hear the fine horning John Barrows too in this not often heard Schumann work.


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Lukas Foss leads the Zimbler Sinfonietta in Bartok, Ives and more

A quick post today as I get myself ready to head north to Mount Snow, Vermont for their annual Oktoberfest festivities. Last weekend, the band was performing at the Harpoon Brewery on the Boston waterfront. Though rain put a damper on Friday night, the weather held for Saturday and the event drew over 10,000 thirsty patrons!

Here is the Turnabout reissue of the Unicorn record pictured above. I dissed the electronic stereo enhancement and returned the record back to its monophonic charm. Rather cutely, if you look at the cover of the Unicorn issue Lukas Foss, the conductor, has his name spelled "Lucas." Foss leads the reliable Zimbler Sinfonietta in engaging performances of the following works:

Ives - The Unanswered Question, trumpet solo Roger Voisin
Milhaud - Symphony no. 4 for strings
Skalkottas - Little Suite for strings
Bartok - Divertimento for string orchestra

There is vigorous leadership here, you might say, youthful, as Foss was in his mid 30's at the time of the recording. I think a lot of people forget just how gifted Foss was. Indeed, he was a close second in popularity to his esteemed associate Leonard Bernstein. Both shared teachers, had rich and varied talents, and were able to cross over easily into more popular forms of musical expression. Brilliant men both, without question. This record makes a strong case for Lukas Foss the modern conductor and his grasp on each piece is strong and musical.

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