DISCOVERIES

This page has come into being as a result of some of my observations regarding YouTube in another earlier posting.

How often do we come across things which "open our eyes and ears" by accident or perhaps because someone has recommended something that we were previously unaware of. For me personally, during my lifetime, I have been introduced to many pieces of music etc. in passing which I would never have discovered if someone hadn't told me.

Therefore, the purpose of this page is to introduce visitors to all sorts of things that they might otherwise not have discovered. For the most part these "discoveries" are to do with music or performances of music but there may be some that are unrelated to music or organs in any way and are included because they are just interesting.

Of course, many who read my website pages will already be totally aware of some of the composers, pieces or performances that I intend to suggest but some will have a far wider knowledge of a particular composer or their pieces than I could ever hope to have. In other cases, my suggestions may be completely new. Some may have a note(s) attached, others not. Obviously, my leanings are towards the classical side and also towards the organ but I can be quite eclectic in my musical likes and dislikes so there will be other genres.

It is quite likely that as a result of this page, readers may suggest their own discoveries to me (via email), and some of these will be totally new to me. These may therefore warrant inclusion here.

One other aspect of this is that having been introduced to a composer or a performer, this may very well lead to the discovery of more of the works of a particular composer or performer by readers / listeners.

I will start the ball rolling with the following.............................

Jacob Collier: World O World:

I first discovered the remarkable Jacob Collier a year or so ago and was very impressed with his work. I can't say that I like everything he does but there are some things that he has done that are quite mind blowing. His 'a capella' multi-track singing certainly warranted the several Grammy awards that he has achieved but lately he has penned some highly original songs which are very pleasant. However, it is his World O World that is stunning in its emotional impact especially at the end. What an incredible choir and what an incredible sound.

Jacob Collier - World O World (Official Score Video)

Poulenc: Concerto for two pianos:

I have known this particular piece for many years along with his Concert Champetre, Aubade, Piano concerto (single) Organ Concerto and Les Biches to name just a few of his works. Obviously, I like Poulenc a lot however, this performance by the Jussen Brothers stands out particularly. The Jussen brothers are quite a phenomenon in themselves and it is worth listening to their other YouTube presentations. The whole concerto is very fine but I have chosen the second movement as being particularly excellent as an introduction.

Lucas & Arthur Jussen – Poulenc Concerto For Two Pianos | Second Movement (2017)

Just purely for fun, check out their Strauss Die Fledermaus encore as well.........

Rachmaninov: Piano concertos

The Rach. concertos are so very well known to almost everyone. Which one is anybody's favourite probably vies between No 2 and No. 3 with possibly No. 3 coming out on top. No 1 and No 4 tend to be performed rather less. There are of course that many performances and most of them are fairly excellent so it is difficult to single out individual performances.

I always liked the Earle Wild performances but thanks to YouTube, I have recently discovered several others. Sticking with Rach 3, I suppose the one that really comes out on top for me is the Alexander Gavrylyuk Proms performance conducted by Thomas Dausgaard. I find the Daniil Trifonov performance quite mesmerising because he is so completely manic and I quite like the Alexandеr Malofeev performance but it doesn't quite reach the emotional heights of the other two. However, what completely blows my mind is the SOLO performance (piano and orchestral transcription) by Christopher Falzone (very tragically no more) who has YouTube performances of both no 2 and No 3. There are a few others by other arrangers mostly Far Eastern performers but the Falzone performances take some beating.

Rachmaninoff-Falzone Concerto op. 30/3 (transcribed and performed by Christopher)

Nikolai Medtner: The 3 Piano Concertos

Rachmaninov and Tchaikowski are certainly the best known Russian composers of piano concertos and many people won't have  heard of Medtner but there is more written about him in Groves than Rachmaninov. Rachmaninov is certainly very difficult to play but many consider that Medtner is even more difficult.

Undoubtedly, the second concerto is perhaps the most attractive but the launch of the first concerto is bold to say the least with its melodramatic theme. All three concertos are very fine but they weren't heard until relatively recently and it was only thanks to the Maharajah of Mysore that recordings of his works came to be heard in the first place.

There are several YouTube performances of many of Medtner's works now and his output was quite large. I prefer the (Chandos) recordings by Geoffrey Tozer given the choice. You can hear Medtner's own performance as well although it dates from 1947 and understandably lacks the clarity of later performances. As an introduction, I suggest No 2 which can be found at:

Nikolai Medtner : Concerto No. 2 in C minor for piano and orchestra Op. 50 (1926-27)

How shall I sing that Majesty

It was only fairly recently that I discovered this hymn written by Ken Naylor and it has certainly become one of my favourites and it seems I am not alone in this. It is also known as Coe Fen

However, in my search on YouTube I was accidentally led to something completely different which I find is quite magical.

Also titled How shall I sing that Majesty, it is an entirely different piece by Robert Prizeman and sung by a very beautiful sounding boy's choir called Libera (who I had never come across before either). There are several performances available but I rather like the one from the Washington Basilica which is very atmospheric.

Libera in America: How shall I sing

Hedwig's Theme transcribed for organ

I have long been a fan of John Williams who has composed so much memorable music for film and I certainly enjoyed watching the Harry Potter films. I came across this absolutely phenomenal organ transcription whilst searching for something else completely. This transcription is amazing and the filming is pretty creative too. I had not come across Esther Assuied before, but I certainly look forward to hearing a lot more from her.

Harry Potter - Hedwig's Theme on Pipe Organ - Esther Assuied

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