Willem Pijper - Sym No. 3, K 71 - Eduard van Beinum, ACO (10-2-57, live) [Philidor; FLAC]

From Wikipedia:

"Pijper occasionally gave piano recitals, but his activity as a critic was of greater importance. At the end of the First World War, he became a critic for the Utrechtsch Dagblad, and in that capacity was at least partly responsible for the departure of Jan van Gilse, then chief conductor of the Utrechts Stedelijk Orkest. Pijpers constant vitriolic (and often ad hominem) attacks upon Van Gilse forced the latter to demand the orchestra board to refuse Pijper at concerts; after the board had stalled the issue for some time, Van Gilse resigned in 1921. Pijper has since been criticised for his role in the affair, also because his combined functions of critic and advisor for the Tivoli concert hall at least suggested a conflict of interest.

"In 1926, with Paul F. Sanders, he established the periodical De Muziek, to which he contributed many essays. Collections of his essays were published by Querido under the title De Quintencirckel and De Stemvork.

"Pijper spent much of his time during the war years working on a new opera, Merlijn, based on the Arthurian legend. Although he worked on the project for over six years, the work was never completed. In late 1946, he was diagnosed with cancer. During the closing weeks of his life he rewrote the orchestration to his Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra. Pijper died on 18 March 1947."

Pijper's predominantly Neo-Classical style was out of sync both with his more conservative colleagues, and the generation that followed him. This live performance by Eduard van Beinum conducting the Amsterdam Concertgebouw reveals the clarity, rigorous musical logic, and expressive range of the composer well. It's not the latest sound, but it is pretty good for a live recording of its day.

Full bio of Pijper included with the music, and image.


You can find my classical uploads here by searching on Philidor, or in this thread:

http://kickasstorrents.ee/community/show/philidor-s-classical-stuff/?page=4#post15682801