Sargent recordings

[smittims]

Yes, maybe that was Kletzki's heyday, with Scheherazade and that marvellous Chopin concerto with Pollini too. And I cherish his Rachmaninov second symphony which was I think the first absolutely complete recording.

[makropulos]

Yes, maybe that was Kletzki's heyday, with Scheherazade and that marvellous Chopin concerto with Pollini too. And I cherish his Rachmaninov second symphony which was I think the first absolutely complete recording.

To that list, I'd certainly add his 1967 Beethoven symphony cycle with the Czech Phil on Supraphon – some terrific things in that set. I always enjoy listening to it.

[HighlandDougie]

And I cherish his Rachmaninov second symphony which was I think the first absolutely complete recording.

Veering ever more off-topic, I seem to remember that 33CX 1207 (of which I still have a copy somewhere) saw Mahler's 1st with the Israel Philharmonic being subject to some mild surgery by Kletzki or have I got that wrong?

[makropulos]

Veering ever more off-topic, I seem to remember that 33CX 1207 (of which I still have a copy somewhere) saw Mahler's 1st with the Israel Philharmonic being subject to some mild surgery by Kletzki or have I got that wrong?

Ha! Yes. The was my first introduction to Mahler 1 (in its MFP incarnation). I remember being more than a bit surprised to discover that there was a cut in the finale. I then got a Kubelik recording (on Ace of Clubs, I think) which had all the music...

[smittims]

I recently found a copy of the Ace of Clubs Kubelik Mahler1 and was overwhelmed with it. What a peformance. Mind you, it is the Vienna Philharmonic.

Kletzki did do a fine Mahler 9 on Columbia. That's on CD in an Intense Media 10-CD set .

To do justice to Sir Malcolm, I must mention his 1957 Vaughan Williams disc, including Serenade to Music, in the (surely most satisfying) version for four soloists and choir, and Toward the Unknown Region, for many years the only recording of this powerful work. Here Sargent is on home ground and gives wonderful readings of these pieces, a warm tribute to a composer he had known personally for 35 years.

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[oliver sudden]

The premiere of Vaughan Williams 9 on Somm is magnificent. Of course VW was still alive at this stage and the piece had yet to acquire its elegiac side, so the performance has an energy that not so many successors have managed (or wanted to).

[Barbirollians]

To that list, I'd certainly add his 1967 Beethoven symphony cycle with the Czech Phil on Supraphon – some terrific things in that set. I always enjoy listening to it.

The Mahler 4 and Das Lied with DFD and Murray Dickie. The first three Sibelius symphonies, Borodin 2 ,Manfred - all outstanding .

[smittims]

Yes, that Ninth premiere has been criticised, by Roy Douglas among others, but I've always thoiught it a fine performance.

[cloughie]

Ha! Yes. The was my first introduction to Mahler 1 (in its MFP incarnation). I remember being more than a bit surprised to discover that there was a cut in the finale. I then got a Kubelik recording (on Ace of Clubs, I think) which had all the music...

I also had the Mono MFP recording and if I am not mistaken when he made a Stereo recording with the VPO, which appeared on CFP and on a Disky CD, also had the cut finale. Both recordings, despite the cuts were beautifully played.

[makropulos]

To do justice to Sir Malcolm, I must mention his 1957 Vaughan Williams disc, including Serenade to Music, in the (surely most satisfying) version for four soloists and choir, and Toward the Unknown Region, for many years the only recording of this powerful work. Here Sargent is on home ground and gives wonderful readings of these pieces, a warm tribute to a composer he had known personally for 35 years..

Sargent's recording of Toward the Unknown Region was a complete revelation to the teenage me when I bought the MFP reissue of it. As you say, it's a nicely done Serenade too, but it's Toward the Unknown Region which continues to impress me, and to show Sargent at – for me at least – his best. Another I should mention is his record of the Delius Songs of Farewell which I still find very satisfying.

[Barbirollians]

I also had the Mono MFP recording and if I am not mistaken when he made a Stereo recording with the VPO, which appeared on CFP and on a Disky CD, also had the cut finale. Both recordings, despite the cuts were beautifully played.

Such a shame that Kletzki cut his VPO Mahler 1 - as otherwise it’s terrific !

[smittims]

Sargent of course conducted the premiere of Songs of Farewell, Beecham sadly being uninterested in Delius' late works. And his recording ofthe Cello Concerto was the only l one for some years.

[cloughie]

Such a shame that Kletzki cut his VPO Mahler 1 - as otherwise it’s terrific !

Indeed - At least the cut is in the rambling finale so still plenty to enjoy in the rest of it. I think Kletzki’s EMI recordings from the 50s ans early 60s is an exception I would make to not purchasing ‘big boxes’ despite some (actually many) duplications. I see that Presto have his Beethoven Syms (Supraphon) on offer for download at a very good price!

[Barbirollians]

Sargent of course conducted the premiere of Songs of Farewell, Beecham sadly being uninterested in Delius' late works. And his recording ofthe Cello Concerto was the only l one for some years.

Du Pre and Sargent ? Still my favourite recording of the piece .