Saturday, July 27, 2024

July 27 - Georges Onslow (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 27th are here: Enrique Granados (2019), Bobbie Gentry (2020), Vladimir de Pachmann (2021), Mauro Giuliani (2022), and Enrique Granados (2023)

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Georges Onslow (27 July 1784 – 3 October 1853) was a French composer of English descent.  Onslow was esteemed by critics of his time, but his reputation declined swiftly after his death. It has only been revived in recent years. 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missed Opportunity


In 1834, Chopin and Liszt played Onslow's Grand Sonata for four hands Op. 22 at their debut joint performance in Paris. – Wikipedia


The originality - particularly the harmonic diversions and unexpected modulations, the fresh ideas, and the clever, often contrapuntal distribution of parts - is apparent on every page [of Onslow’s duet sonata, Op. 22]. - Newman, The Sonata since Beethoven, 477


Georges Onslow’s sonata for piano duet,

  In performance by Chopin and Liszt,

Was an evening of piano one wouldn’t forget,

  An evening it’s sad to have missed.


But what of the piece that these musical titans

   Performed on that magical night?

Well, Newman opines (and he often enlightens)

   That it’s quite a surprising delight.

 

 

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