Vaughan Williams's greatest champion

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I have many recordings of his symphonies in my collection (Handley,Thomson,Slatkin,Haitink to name but a few). Although there have been a lot of excellent versions since, Boult and Barbirolli knew this music inside out.

Thanks for mentioning the cycles by Slatkin and Haitink; you are quite right, they are "excellent". And I totally agree that Boult (in his first recorded set) and Barbirolli (in the four Symphonies that he recorded) have very special insights into these works. To their number, Sargent has to be added because of his championing of the choral works.

Of the subsequent generations, I think only Hickox showed equal dedication to the composer's total output.

SAls: sorry; I've mainly concentrated on recordings, too. Sadly, that's chiefly the way I got to know these pieces: restricted to Live performance, I'd only ever have heard the London Symphony (twice) and Dona Nobis Pacem (Bolton Choral Society, March 1977).

Best Wishes.

[EdgeleyRob]

Vernon Handley anyone? A pupil of Sir Adrian.

Anyone who hasn't got the Handley set , what are you waiting for

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Williams-Nine-Symphonies-Job/dp/B00006J3LP/ref=pd_ys_qtk_general_recs_164

[Ferretfancy]

salymap,

Of course we shouldn't just mention recordings. I was lucky enough to see Boult and Barbirolli conduct RVW, notably in performances of Nos. 2 & 6, and I went to the first London performance of No. 8 with Barbirolli and the Halle. Quite often the great man himself came onto the platform, looking like a giant farmer from the West Country.
There's a story of the orchestra being reduced to tears when VW conducted the London Symphony during the war, and it's difficult now to remember how much he was loved and revered.

[Norfolk Born]

Anyone who hasn't got the Handley set , what are you waiting for
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Will...neral_recs_164

Remembering what I paid over the years, I now kind of wish I hadn't followed your link But, if anybody out there is thinking of investigating the VW symphonies - GO FOR IT!

[EdgeleyRob]

Remembering what I paid over the years, I now kind of wish I hadn't followed your link But, if anybody out there is thinking of investigating the VW symphonies - GO FOR IT!

I dread to think how much I paid over the years for this little lot
[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Will...179276&sr=1-10

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thinking "outside the box" as they say (an expression that always makes me think of inadequately-prepared cricketers) shouldn't we also mention Michael Kennedy?

[EdgeleyRob]

Thinking "outside the box" as they say (an expression that always makes me think of inadequately-prepared cricketers) shouldn't we also mention Michael Kennedy?

Good shout.Not forgetting of course http://www.rvwsociety.com/

[Stanfordian]

Following a discussion I was involved in last night at a concert I was wondering which conductor and orchestra has over the years been the greatest champion of the music of Vaughan Williams. Surely Sir Adrian Boult and maybe the Hallé Orchestra?

When I posed the above Sir Adrian Boult and maybe the Hallé Orchestra immediately sprang to mind as champions of the music of RVW. I feel that Sir Mark Elder is doing sterling work today with the Hallé in championing RWV and English music in general.

[BBMmk2]

Another champion, I think that hasn't bwwn mentioned, yet, is Sir Andrew Davis.

[moeranbiogman]

Post No.2, Brassbandmaestro?

[EnemyoftheStoat]

I can't remember the last time I saw, say, Toward the Unknown Region programmed, or the Piano Concerto.

With BBC forces, SAD has programmed Toward the Unknown Region twice at the Proms and at least once at the Barbican Hall. He has also definitely programmed it in Cleveland.

[Ferretfancy]

Ashley Wass gave a fine performance of the Piano Concerto at the Proms on 12th August 2008, with the BBC PO conducted by Sinaisky. We heard it preceded by In the South, with Scheherezade after the interval. It was good to hear it, but I can't honestly say that I enjoy it very much. The Violin Concerto is better, in my view.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Stoatfoe and Ferretfriend (#26 & 27):
Excellent news! So much for my memory!

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Stoatfoe and Ferretfriend (#26 & 27):
Excellent news! So much for my memory!

Stoatfoe - I like that!

[akiralx]

When I posed the above Sir Adrian Boult and maybe the Hallé Orchestra immediately sprang to mind as champions of the music of RVW. I feel that Sir Mark Elder is doing sterling work today with the Hallé in championing RWV and English music in general.

I see he has now recorded the London Symphony with the Halle, should be good...