Moeran, Ernest John (Jack) (1894–1950)

[Ein Heldenleben]

I remember buying the Lyrita Lp of the Violin Concerto played by the late, great John Georgiadis. It made a big impression on me as a teenager but less so when it was re-issued on cd. I must listen again soon.

A good example of an underplayed work. As good as Korngold IMV…which is now overplayed.

[gradus]

First time of hearing the symphony for me yesterday and I thought it terrific. Must dig out the ancient recording by the Guildford Philharmonic if I can find it.

[Roger Webb]

Out of retirement as the thread of Moeran caught my eye (the one that's still functioning...albeit at reduced capacity!.....(the eye, not the thread!)

I thoroughly researched Moeran's life and works for an article I was writing back in '87 - I'm not sure but Pulcinella may have proof-read it!

I went so far as to visit Kenmare, where EJ spent his last years, and stayed in a house overlooking the pier from which he fell to his death. It's worth a visit to Kenmare as the Hotel where he often stayed has (well, did in '86!) a board in 'Jack's Bar' giving information about EJ's stay there.....looking it up online it looks a bit 'gentrified' now - we were lucky in that the locals still sang in the bar every night. EJ is buried at the Anglican graveyard just north of Kenmare.

Looking at my recordings (the article had a discography) I have just about all the LPs issued at that time, Sym. in G EMI ED 290187-1....Sym. in G min, Lyrita SRCS 70....Vln Conc. Lyrita SRCS 105.....Cello Conc. Lyrita 43.....Cello Son. and Piano works Lyrita 42.....Piano works (Loveridge) Lyrita RCS 3......and Str. Trio Pearl SHE 563.....Ser. in G Revolution RCF 003.....Songs Meridian E77031-2.

What I didn't have on LP I have now on CD....Rhapsodies CHAN 8639.....Sym in G min CHAN 8577.....Vln Conc. CHAN 8807.....Cello Conc. CHAN 8456....Ser. in G (complete version) CHAN 8808.....Rhapsody for Cello Lyrita SRCS 91......Sym 2 (realised by Martin Yates) Dutton CDLX 7281......Str. Qt in A min/Vln Son. CHAN 8465......Str Qts 1 and 2/Pno Trio/Fant. Qt. ASV CD DCA 1045.....Piano works JMS CD 2 (recorded by J Martin Stafford)......Choral Songs CHAN 9182....and lastly a very good set of the Songs on two CDs from Chandos, CHAN 10596(2) (mentioned by Gurnemanz above).......oh, just remembered that lovely Boult recording of the Sinfonietta (which I filed under Bax!) on Lyrita SRCS 37.

This is not an exhaustive list, just my own collection, and I know that several new recordings have emerged since I stopped collecting......but a look at Qobuz seems to have them!

Smittims mentions the Seven Poems of James Joyce which I discovered via the Violin Concerto, with which they share themes....particularly that lovely slow last movt of the concerto is brought to mind - was there ever a lovelier ending?! ..........'We take sad leave at close of day'.

[oliver sudden]

Out of retirement as the thread of Moeran caught my eye (the one that's still functioning...albeit at reduced capacity!.....(the eye, not the thread!)

Not wanting to derail the thread but your absence has been noted and regretted!

[smittims]

Welcome back, Roger,and best wishes for the eye.

[Roger Webb]

Thank you both....I'm very touched. I'll do an occasional post......should the subject be as important as Moeran!!

[antongould]

Welcome back, Roger,and best wishes for the eye.

indeed a very welcome return

[Pulcinella]

Thank you both....I'm very touched. I'll do an occasional post......should the subject be as important as Moeran!!

I'll join in the good wishes!

[Roger Webb]

Thanks also AG & P (sounds like an engineering union!), but to return to Moeran, just have the Boult Sinfonietta LP on Lyrita playing - an excellent perf and recording.....didn't Boult make some superb recordings later on in his career, especially for Richard Itter.

[Maclintick]

Thanks also AG & P (sounds like an engineering union!), but to return to Moeran, just have the Boult Sinfonietta LP on Lyrita playing - an excellent perf and recording.....didn't Boult make some superb recordings later on in his career, especially for Richard Itter.

I've been re-playing the Boult Lyrita CD comp issue with the G minor Symphony & Sinfonietta, and agree it all still sounds wonderful. There's been much appreciation of the EJM Violin Concerto by FoR3 boarders, so I made a mental note to acquire that as well -- then realised that Tasmin Little's version with the BBC Phil & Andrew Davis had lain unplayed in the Chandos 40 year Landmark box for 6 years. (Welcome back Roger, & good wishes )

[Roger Webb]

I've been re-playing the Boult Lyrita CD comp issue with the G minor Symphony & Sinfonietta, and agree it all still sounds wonderful. There's been much appreciation of the EJM Violin Concerto by FoR3 boarders, so I made a mental note to acquire that as well -- then realised that Tasmin Little's version with the BBC Phil & Andrew Davis had lain unplayed in the Chandos 40 year Landmark box for 6 years. (Welcome back Roger, & good wishes )

Thanks Macl. Glad you like the Boult Sym and Sinf...as I said I've had them on vinyl in the reissued Nimbus pressings (early eighties), and have always loved them....along with the Georgiadis/Handley Violin Conc.....although, of course the Tasmin L is very fine. I wish Georgiadis had performed it live - he may have done, but I missed it - but was in tha Hall for his Bax Vln Conc at a Prom....ooh, must have been '80s I suppose.

The Lyrita version of the Cello Conc. I'm not so keen on.....and in fact gave it a sniffy review in our in-house newsletter. Some how Peers Coetmore's third or forth husband ( she had been married to Jack Moeran) got hold of it and sent me an irate letter (from Australia)....have a listen if you get the chance, and see what you think - it's a lovely work....with perhaps the saddest slow movt ever written!

[CallMePaul]

The Lyrita version of the Cello Conc. I'm not so keen on.....and in fact gave it a sniffy review in our in-house newsletter. Some how Peers Coetmore's third or forth husband ( she had been married to Jack Moeran) got hold of it and sent me an irate letter (from Australia)....have a listen if you get the chance, and see what you think - it's a lovely work....with perhaps the saddest slow movt ever written!

I couldn't agree more - the Moeran is, after the E;gar, my favourite British cello concerto. I have the Wallfisch/ Del Mar recording and it is a pity that few cwllists seem to have taken it up. Having said that,Yo-Yo Ma's advocacy and recording of the Finzi concerto has not led to a great increase in popularity of this work. Maybe a "name" cellist could play and record the work (are you reading this Shehu Kanneh-Mason - you would make a good advocate!)

[Maclintick]

I couldn't agree more - the Moeran is, after the E;gar, my favourite British cello concerto. I have the Wallfisch/ Del Mar recording and it is a pity that few cwllists seem to have taken it up.

The Guy Johnston/Ulster Orch/Falletta has a good write-up on MusicWeb International. From what I can make out, MWI don't carry advertising or cosy up to certain labels, as has been alleged re Gramophone. Anyone any views ?

[LMcD]

The Guy Johnston/Ulster Orch/Falletta has a good write-up on MusicWeb International. From what I can make out, MWI don't carry advertising or cosy up to certain labels, as has been alleged re Gramophone. Anyone any views ?

An attractive compilation of shorter works which would be a pretty good starting-point for anyone thinking of giving Moeran a try.