Walton: Symphony No. 1 / Violin Concerto (Edward Gardner / Chandos)

[Petrushka]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTU_KMyy_es

Veering totally off topic, I was present at that performance of the Shostakovich 4, one of the very first Proms I attended, and still find it a thrilling performance.

[HighlandDougie]

I've just listened to Gardner (right through) and then to Previn (ditto) - and gone back to selected sections of both of them. IMUO - and despite punting Gardner in the first place - Bryn and Petrushka are right: Previn - 4; Gardner - 0. I agree with Ams that it's probably not fair to judge new performances on the basis that, "well, it's not Previn, is it", but the Previn simply sweeps all before it. The sound is more than acceptable and, as Petrushka says, suits the performance. If I want to hear the work in good modern sound, I'll listen to Gardener but, if I want to be thrilled by it, it has to be Previn.

[Ferretfancy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTU_KMyy_es

Wonderful stuff! It's always Rozhdestvensky I return to on CD, his performance with the USSR Ministry of Culture SO on an Olympia disc from Melodiya. Not the best sound, but the ending is slower than on your clip, and therefore right for me. How wonderful to see the exquisite gestures as he has complete control, thanks for posting it.

[Nick Armstrong]

I've just listened to Gardner (right through) and then to Previn (ditto) - and gone back to selected sections of both of them. IMUO - and despite punting Gardner in the first place - Bryn and Petrushka are right: Previn - 4; Gardner - 0. I agree with Ams that it's probably not fair to judge new performances on the basis that, "well, it's not Previn, is it", but the Previn simply sweeps all before it. The sound is more than acceptable and, as Petrushka says, suits the performance. If I want to hear the work in good modern sound, I'll listen to Gardener but, if I want to be thrilled by it, it has to be Previn.

Most interesting, HD!! Thanks for this "flash BAL" !

My mind is racing as to what IMUO might mean. In My Unapologetic Opinion? Untenable? Unassailable? Unashamed?

Do tell

[Rolmill]

My mind is racing as to what IMUO might mean. In My Unapologetic Opinion? Untenable? Unassailable? Unashamed?

Do tell

I assumed HD was in Uriah Heep mode...(or mood?).

[Barbirollians]

I assumed HD was in Uriah Heep mode...(or mood?).

My thoughts exactly - Mr Copperfield.

[Thropplenoggin]

A timely thread, as I've only just got round to listening to the BaL podcast where Previn was the library choice (even though all the way through it sounded like Litton was going to be). Another work I don't own, but I found it a compelling listen. I wasn't expecting such passion from an Englishman.

[Roehre]

Szell is the man who it is really a shame did not record Walton 1 . His record of No 2 , Partita and Hindemith Variations is quite magnificent .

The Amsterdam recording?

[HighlandDougie]

My mind is racing as to what IMUO might mean.

As I don't subscribe to the notion that opinions are 'umble, IMUO = in my unhumble opinion aka being a self-opinionated .... err, something. Prat?

[Thropplenoggin]

Veering totally off topic, I was present at that performance of the , one of the very first Proms I attended, and still find it a thrilling performance.

I've got tickets to see Shostakovich 4 at this year's Proms because a friend liked the sound of this plus the Berio. I don't know the latter, and Shosta 4 has always proved more difficult to 'get' than, say, 5 and 8 and 11. But given the love it receives on the Forum, I think it will be an 'experience'. Bychkov is conducting, and whilst I disdained his Tristan last year, his Shostakovich on disc sounds good.

Perhaps athe kindly host who began this thread could dispatch these OT musings to a new thread on said symphony, as I know he also struggles with Shosta 4.

[Barbirollians]

The Amsterdam recording?

Is there one ? I was referring to the Cleveland on CBS masterworks.

[akiralx]

I've just listened to Gardner (right through) and then to Previn (ditto) - and gone back to selected sections of both of them. IMUO - and despite punting Gardner in the first place - Bryn and Petrushka are right: Previn - 4; Gardner - 0. I agree with Ams that it's probably not fair to judge new performances on the basis that, "well, it's not Previn, is it", but the Previn simply sweeps all before it.

I've never really rated the Previn, just another fine old recording that was the best of its day but has since been surpassed - what I want to know is this new recording better than Simon Rattle's?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've never really rated the Previn

just another fine old recording that was the best of its day but has since been surpassed

what I want to know is this new recording better than Simon Rattle's?

[slarty]

I'm still with Previn. However -
There is a good live performance on the Chicago Symphony website -http://csosoundsandstories.org/category/cso-radio/

scroll down until you see the Bychkov conducts Walton & Prokofiev. It is very good.

I still love the old scratchy live performance with Karajan and the RAI orchestra from 1953 which was issued on GCOC.

[Bryn]

I still love the old scratchy live performance with Karajan and the RAI orchestra from 1953 which was issued on GCOC.

What, the re-writes and all? What a preening poser that guy was. A sort of unmusical Malcolm Sargent, what?

Still, he certainly knew his way around Honegger's 2nd and 3rd Symphonies.