You've over-stressed the negative, CJS; i wasn't raising any "objections to the Volans". On the contrary, i thought it was obvious that i found much to praise about the piece, both on its own terms as well as Volans' particular compositional approach. As i said, it lacks memorability, but i don't believe that necessarily makes it less of a piece.
Anonymous
13 years ago
CJS from the Brian Gothic liveblog (Hello, if anyone is here!!) –
Thank you very much for your service in posting all of this wonderful material, above all the historic Gothic Symphony performance (I became a Havergal Brian fan because of the Guinness Book of World Records at age 8!).
I understand the objections to the Volans; I also understand that my judgement is swayed by the fact that I am a currently frustrated composer who is very much in sympathy with Volans’ philosophy – indeed, I have substantial creative problems most likely caused by my having over-familiarised myself with more mainstream philosophies which are not congenial.
That said, I do find the piece enchanting; for much the same reasons that I find the latter portion of Mr. Volans’ comments very beautiful. I humbly — in all sincerity — suggest to those presently unconvinced that this is a piece which one wants to give a ssecond chance someday. It is, at least, by far the finest and most interesting Volans work I have heard.
Thank you again.
Anonymous
13 years ago
Couldn't agree more, an unbelievably fantastic blog! This Kevin Volans piece is great – thanks for making the recordings of new pieces downloadable; a real godsend when nobody is otherwise releasing this music for anyone to hear. 🙂
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You've over-stressed the negative, CJS; i wasn't raising any "objections to the Volans". On the contrary, i thought it was obvious that i found much to praise about the piece, both on its own terms as well as Volans' particular compositional approach. As i said, it lacks memorability, but i don't believe that necessarily makes it less of a piece.
CJS from the Brian Gothic liveblog
(Hello, if anyone is here!!) –
Thank you very much for your service in posting all of this wonderful material, above all the historic Gothic Symphony performance (I became a Havergal Brian fan because of the Guinness Book of World Records at age 8!).
I understand the objections to the Volans; I also understand that my judgement is swayed by the fact that I am a currently frustrated composer who is very much in sympathy with Volans’ philosophy – indeed, I have substantial creative problems most likely caused by my having over-familiarised myself with more mainstream philosophies which are not congenial.
That said, I do find the piece enchanting; for much the same reasons that I find the latter portion of Mr. Volans’ comments very beautiful. I humbly — in all sincerity — suggest to those presently unconvinced that this is a piece which one wants to give a ssecond chance someday. It is, at least, by far the finest and most interesting Volans work I have heard.
Thank you again.
Couldn't agree more, an unbelievably fantastic blog! This Kevin Volans piece is great – thanks for making the recordings of new pieces downloadable; a real godsend when nobody is otherwise releasing this music for anyone to hear. 🙂
Best blog ever. Thanks a million!