Kevin Sutton:

>I would also be curious to learn more about this composer.  I don't
>have handy access to a Grove and a search on Classical net turned
>up with no entries for this composer.  A web search turned up very
>little useful information.  I am quite taken with this man's music and
>would love to hear more.  Recommendations by listers of any
>recordings of his music that are noteworthy would be appreciated.

I've been very happy with the symphonies on a 3CD set on EMI by Michel
Plasson.  It includes several short orchestral works which I think are not
otherwise available.  I've only heard one of the Ossonce set and none of
Sanderling's, but the reviews I've read prefer Ossonce to Plasson.  The old
Ansermet of #3 on Decca remains a favourite and I'd love it to make it to
CD.

Without re-reading the Magnard bio, I think my memory correctly recalls:
He was a very self-critical composer and so his work list is comparatively
small.  He died defending his home from the advancing Germans in WW1 and
the house was destroyed.  I have a vague memory of a rave review of an
opera, Guercoeur.

Richard Pennycuick
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