03.05.2022 - RVW Sea Symphony & Symphony No 6 (Elder)

[LeMartinPecheur]

Very decent performances of two cracking works tonight. But one thing had me baffled in the closing pages of the Sea Symphony. Both soloists and the choir were very clearly singing 'O further sail', over and over again.

But Whitman and the score have 'farther', which surely makes a much brighter, more aspiring, exciting vowel. Why the change, and is there any precedent for it? It can't have been to prevent confusion with 'father' can it?

Hosts: OK, move this to Pedants' Paradise or Pronunciation Watch if you think it necessary...

[Nick Armstrong]

Very decent performances of two cracking works tonight.

Yes, I tuned in for the Sea Symphony and was impressed and moved. Particularly by Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha - one of the few singers in my occasional following of the Cardiff competition who really bowled me over, and this was the first time I’ve heard her in concert. What a voice, rich and pure, riding over the orchestra.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I’ve never known the word change before. It’s bizarre to do such a thing, and utterly pointless, unless someone can think of a good reason.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I've listened to the Elder/Halle recording quite recently. In a not exhaustive (streamed services) survey, so far his recording has the most clarity generally, in particular between chorus and orchestra. (And it so happens I've taken part in a performance this weekend, no question about change of the text).

Listening again to the recording its "farther", and as would be expected so is the pdf booklet. A mystery, it seems..........

[Cockney Sparrow]

Yes, I tuned in for the Sea Symphony and was impressed and moved. Particularly by Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha - one of the few singers in my occasional following of the Cardiff competition who really bowled me over, and this was the first time I’ve heard her in concert. What a voice, rich and pure, riding over the orchestra.

I knew I'd looked her up - Soprano in the Proms 1st Night - Verdi Requiem. Your impression bodes well.......

[Nick Armstrong]

Your impression bodes well.......

Two reviews echoing my response to this concert (and to this exceptional singer, the final paragraph of the Arts Desk piece in particular):

https://bachtrack.com/review-vaughan-williams-elder-rangwanasha-williams-halle-bridgewater-hall-manchester-april-2022

https://theartsdesk.com/classical-music/rangwanasha-williams-hall%C3%A9-orchestra-and-choirs-elder-bridgewater-hall-manchester