Leonard B Smith Plays the Cornet

Something a little different today. As my son is learning the trumpet, following in my footsteps..haha.., I went a diggin' and discovered this fine solo record played by famed cornetist Leonard B Smith. Here, we have a nicely arranged program (from Corelli to Clarke) which is varied in content and immaculately executed by one of the finest brass players of the previous century.

For those that don't know Leonard B Smith, I'll fill you in. Native of New York, the bulk of his career was spent in Michigan as principal trumpet of the Detroit SO, conductor of the famed Detroit Concert band and esteemed teacher and clinician. For many years, Smith also commuted back to New York for his role as solo cornetist with the illustrious Goldman Band. Leonard Smith, it is important to note, is in that line going back to Herbert L Clarke and Patrick Gilmore and he is considered to be the last great practitioner of the cornet, the smaller, gentler version of a modern Bb trumpet, you could say.

Smith plays in a style which has long past, one where the music is the most important part for the program and the artist is the mouthpiece for it. His playing is honest, true, unfussy and crystalline. By any stretch, this is a recital which is well thought out, well judged and very well played. Smith is admirably joined by pianist Bernard Leighton.

I encourage you to have a listen, you will not be disappointed. This series, "Award Artists" was produced by the legendary Enoch Light. I'm guessing the recording is from the early 60's though it is monaural.
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Schubert played by Johanna Martzy

Here is a Mace reissue of recordings made by Electrola in 1955. Violinist Johanna Martzy is joined by her longtime accompanist Jean Antonietti in readings that capture the lyrical beauty of Schubert's writing, effectively making the case that Schubert was truly the first romanticist. Though closely modeled on Beethoven, nonetheless, I hear a unique and progressive voice, one that seeks to break free from classical models.

Here's what reviewer Gary Lemco had to say regarding this recording's reissue on Testament some while back:

"These pieces were published posthumously, though Schubert composed them when he was nineteen, likely as vehicles for his brother Ferdinand. The D Major flows so effortlessly we might miss the suave artistry that conceals art. The Andante enjoys pellucid articulation of its motto theme, and then Martzy breaks out into a seamless legato statement that expands its natural lyricism. More than one commentator has remarked on the exquisite tone she elicits from her G and D strings. No small contribution emanates from Antonietti’s delicate but firm keyboard support.

The A Minor Sonata, D. 385 presents largest of the three canvases: though delicate in its opening motto for the Allegro moderato, its emotional tenor has a sturm und drang affect, troubled waters below an otherwise balanced surface. Martzy projects an edgy violence into the melos that will bear repeated hearings. Marty’s expressive control then invests the wonderful Andante with an exquisite melancholy, restrained but ardent. A no less anxious Menuetto leads to the final Allegro, whose dark color and demure sense of tragedy find an eloquent realization whose capacity for visceral passion must be heard–those last chords!

Finally, the impassioned G Minor Sonata, D. 408, clearly a Beethoven clone but nonetheless revealing Schubert’s idiosyncratic dramatic sense. Playing in something of the “gypsy” tradition Martzy imbibed as a student of Hubay, Martzy invests the piece with dazzling personality, and Antonietti can be heard clearly warming to his own task. The purity of line in the Andante induces us to want to hear Martzy’s Mozart, Schubert’s spiritual model extraordinaire. Martzy and Antonietti appear to relax in the Menuetto and Allegro moderato movements, though Martzy’s razor-sharp intonation drives the music into our collective imagination."

Indeed, a special and unique recording by a truly gifted artist.

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Thomas Schippers with the Scarlatti Orchestra of Naples

I'm very pleased to have discovered this excellent record of 18th century music led by the highly talented and tragically short lived Thomas Schippers. Here, we have a program of 18th century compositions by Italian born composers. Vivaldi was a well known entity by the 1950's though Durante and Salieri were seldom heard when Schippers set down this record.  The release of this lp must have been quite a novelty. I'm not sure if this was the first record made by Maestro Schippers  but what I can say is that it is an impressive outing for a conductor not yet out of his 20's.

It's sad that Thomas Schippers did not have the opportunity to have the long and successful career that he was destined for. Certainly one of the most gifted of his generation, he possessed a wide repertoire and moved with ease between the concert hall and the opera house. I'd say he was probably the American version of a Carlo Maria Giulini and had he lived far longer, he would probably have become one of the best known and most respected of podium leaders.

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Reine Gianoli plays the French Suites of J S Bach

Originally from 1953, here are the later reissues on Westminster, over two volumes, of Reine Gianoli playing the French Suites of J S Bach. This might have been one of the first integral recordings of these delightful works as played on a modern piano.

Gianoli has a splendid touch, which when combined with a keen sense of structure, yields a first rate performance. This is a magnificent achievement from start to finish and Gianoli makes the strongest possible case for these works being viable within the sound world of a modern piano.


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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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