Cracking Walton 1 from BBC Phil / John Wilson

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  • LMcD
    Full Member
    • Sep 2017
    • 8851

    #16
    Originally posted by Lordgeous View Post
    Truly excellent from the brilliant John Wilson. Always one of my favourite pieces and never heard such clarity as in this performance. Also a favourite performance, in a different way, this Prom performance from Previn. Brassy but exciting:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr3WVje-C3o
    Thanks for the link - I shall definitely give it a listen should I happen to find myself stuck at home for an extended period!

    Comment

    • Lordgeous
      Full Member
      • Dec 2012
      • 840

      #17
      I'm sure there was a video posting of this on YT but can't find it now!

      Comment

      • Simon B
        Full Member
        • Dec 2010
        • 782

        #18
        Originally posted by Lordgeous View Post
        I'm sure there was a video posting of this on YT but can't find it now!
        You mean the Previn/LSO Prom? I've a half recollection of seeing video of that but it could be a false memory. Can't find it now.

        The BBCPO/Wilson was recorded in Manchester last September - no cameras present.

        I remember being literally on the edge of my seat - takes an awful lot to do that these days. Constant ratcheting up of tension and almost malevolent enough to meet my probably unattainable ideal in this.

        It probably helped that the BBCPO have played this piece a lot over recent years - with Yutaka Sado, Vasily Sinaisky, Juanjo Mena and possibly others. Really laying into it in the way it demands must take guts given the rhythmic challenges and limited rehearsal - I've heard more than a few slightly nervy performances from top rank orchestras. It also helps having Paul Turner's undiminished brilliance driving the orchestra from the timps...

        It sticks in the mind for being on the Saturday in September which was the very last day of glorious weather before someone flicked a switch suddenly tipping us into 6 months of rain. Who'd have thought our troubles were only just beginning?

        Not that long before, Wilson did the Walton with the Philharmonia - it was ok but all a bit pedestrian by comparison. Such is the mercurial nature of live performance. I'd happily sit through a second rate one right now!

        Comment

        • Nick Armstrong
          Host
          • Nov 2010
          • 26601

          #19
          Originally posted by Simon B View Post
          The BBCPO/Wilson was recorded in Manchester last September - no cameras present.

          I remember being literally on the edge of my seat - takes an awful lot to do that these days. Constant ratcheting up of tension and almost malevolent enough to meet my probably unattainable ideal in this.

          It probably helped that the BBCPO have played this piece a lot over recent years - with Yutaka Sado, Vasily Sinaisky, Juanjo Mena and possibly others. Really laying into it in the way it demands must take guts given the rhythmic challenges and limited rehearsal - I've heard more than a few slightly nervy performances from top rank orchestras. It also helps having Paul Turner's undiminished brilliance driving the orchestra from the timps...
          Envious, Simon B! Would love to have attended that performance. Thanks for your description.
          "...the isle is full of noises,
          Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
          Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
          Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

          Comment

          • jayne lee wilson
            Banned
            • Jul 2011
            • 10711

            #20
            ...EG in the Gramophone:
            “a version of this much-recorded symphony that competes with the finest ever, and outshines most”

            And it still is - obvious from the first few bars really.
            But about which, often overlooked recording, did he say that, d'you think?
            Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 02-04-20, 02:46.

            Comment

            • Nick Armstrong
              Host
              • Nov 2010
              • 26601

              #21
              Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post
              “a version of this much-recorded symphony that competes with the finest ever, and outshines most”

              ....EG in the Gramophone. But about which, often overlooked recording, d'you think?
              Bryden Thompson?
              "...the isle is full of noises,
              Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
              Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
              Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

              Comment

              • jayne lee wilson
                Banned
                • Jul 2011
                • 10711

                #22
                Originally posted by Caliban View Post
                Bryden Thompson?
                ...Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again....

                Intending a mere sample I just played [***] - right through - WOW! Sounds even more astonishing than I remembered!

                So nervous energy at peace. Off to bed now. If sleep may only come....ravell'd sleeve, balm of hurt minds, etc...

                Comment

                • HighlandDougie
                  Full Member
                  • Nov 2010
                  • 3129

                  #23
                  Andrew Litton/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra? Great recording - and very good performance

                  Comment

                  • Bryn
                    Banned
                    • Mar 2007
                    • 24688

                    #24
                    Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post
                    ...EG in the Gramophone:
                    “a version of this much-recorded symphony that competes with the finest ever, and outshines most”

                    And it still is - obvious from the first few bars really.
                    But about which, often overlooked recording, did he say that, d'you think?
                    ENP/PD.

                    Comment

                    • Nick Armstrong
                      Host
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 26601

                      #25
                      Originally posted by Bryn View Post
                      Ah yes! I even have that CD!
                      "...the isle is full of noises,
                      Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
                      Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
                      Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

                      Comment

                      • LMcD
                        Full Member
                        • Sep 2017
                        • 8851

                        #26
                        Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post
                        ...EG in the Gramophone:
                        “a version of this much-recorded symphony that competes with the finest ever, and outshines most”

                        And it still is - obvious from the first few bars really.
                        But about which, often overlooked recording, did he say that, d'you think?
                        Colin Davis/LSO Live (2006)?
                        The Naxos recording mentioned above is also admirable.

                        Comment

                        • Nick Armstrong
                          Host
                          • Nov 2010
                          • 26601

                          #27
                          Originally posted by LMcD View Post
                          Colin Davis/LSO Live (2006)?
                          The Naxos recording mentioned above is also admirable.
                          Um... but Bryn’s link sources the quote from Gramophone mentioned by Jayne...

                          (I also have the Davis / LSO but recall it being somewhat uninvolving - one of the ‘dry Barbican’ LSO Live recordings, iirc)
                          "...the isle is full of noises,
                          Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
                          Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
                          Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

                          Comment

                          • Bryn
                            Banned
                            • Mar 2007
                            • 24688

                            #28
                            Originally posted by Caliban View Post
                            Um... but Bryn’s link sources the quote from Gramophone mentioned by Jayne...
                            Yes. I cheated and just stuck the quote in an Internet search engine.

                            Comment

                            • Nick Armstrong
                              Host
                              • Nov 2010
                              • 26601

                              #29
                              Originally posted by Bryn View Post
                              Yes. I cheated and just stuck the quote in an Internet search engine.
                              Nice one, Sherlock
                              "...the isle is full of noises,
                              Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
                              Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
                              Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

                              Comment

                              • jayne lee wilson
                                Banned
                                • Jul 2011
                                • 10711

                                #30
                                Originally posted by Bryn View Post
                                Yes. I cheated and just stuck the quote in an Internet search engine.
                                ......thats the way to do it...!

                                There are a few Walton 1sts that hit the spot in their different ways, Previn perhaps sui generis, but there is something truly special about the Daniel...it glows out of every bar. Shows there's more to rhythm than just being on the cut-and-button.
                                The full G-review is in 2/98.

                                The same performers followed it up with a marvellous Hindemith Variations a few years later, which I soon came to prefer to the Szell...
                                Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 02-04-20, 12:43.

                                Comment

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