Barbirolli - favourite recordings

[vibratoforever]

It is a matter for regret that so little has emerged from Houston. The off-air material I have heard is of very low quality recording-wise and only the Mahler 5 recorded on tour in New York adds much to what is available from other orchestras.
An early Halle Mahler 2 and a Berlin Bruckner 9 do likewise. As Slarty has mentioned the Boston material is good and a Haydn Oxford Symphony is a welcome change from the multiple versions of La Poule, another of which is being released on Monday!

[Barbirollians]

I see that in addition to some concerts in Lugano in 1961 and New York in 1962 the Barbirolli Society are re-releasing what appear to be the Pye recordings of the Dvorak 7-9 and Tchaikovsky 4-6 symphonies .

[slarty]

I see that in addition to some concerts in Lugano in 1961 and New York in 1962 the Barbirolli Society are re-releasing what appear to be the Pye recordings of the Dvorak 7-9 and Tchaikovsky 4-6 symphonies .

The Pye recordings which EMI released after acquiring the PRT catalogue, on the long defunct EMI Pheonixa label had a short life, then they were released on Royal Classics, which did nothing to enhance their reputations, now at least the JBS will give them a happy home and I expect a decent remastering.
The Dvorak recordings are suberb and the Tchaikovsky, one of the best sets ever.

The ICA release is important for the appearance of JB'S last Symphonie Fantastique given in this 1969 Radio concert in Stuttgart, with the ever present Haydn no. 83.
A pity that they did not use the Overture to Rossini's "La Gazza Ladra" which was also given in this concert.

Of even more importance is the announcement of a double CD issue from JB's 1962 NYPO concerts. including -

Darius MILHAUD Ouverture philharmonique
Frederick DELIUS Intermezzo from ‘Fennimore and Gerda’
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.4 in G major, Op.58
Johannes BRAHMS Symphony No.2 in D major, Op.73
Josef HAYDN Cello Concerto in D major, Op.101

Gina Bachauer, piano
Aldo Parisot, cello
New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by
Sir John Barbirolli
Recorded ‘live’: Philharmonic Hall, New York
30 November 1962 [Milhaud/Delius/Beethoven/Brahms]
9 December 1962 [Haydn]
first release – previously unpublished ‘live’ recordings

The 1961 Lugano concert and Berne Radio recordings CD's are also released the same day (9th september) -


[CD1 stereo]
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No.8 in D minor (dedicated to Sir John Barbirolli)
arr: Sir John BARBIROLLI An Elizabethan Suite
Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio espagnole, Op.34
Emmanuel CHABRIER España, rhapsody for orchestra
[CD2 stereo]
Felix MENDELSSOHN Symphony No.4 in A major, Op.90 ‘Italian’
Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio espagnole, Op.34

It warms my heart to see that so many of JB's great recordings with some new live material are to be issued.
All are already listed on Amazon UK.

[Barbirollians]

Me too - and all already ordered here !!!

[Exonian]

Hmmm....Favourite Barbirolli recordings? Most of them, personally!

[Barbirollians]

That Turin live Mahler 9 has just joined high up the list. I think it includes the most stunning performance of the finale I have ever heard.

[Barbirollians]

What an interesting thread!

I was lucky enough to see Barbirolli conduct on numerous occasions, and have happy memories of the first London performance of RVW's eighth at the Festival Hall, and another occasion at the Proms, standing right on the rail in the Arena for a splendid La Mer.

There have been so many great performances listed already by others on this thread, I've looked at just the orchestral part of my catalogue, and absolutely endorse so many recommendations.
Here are just a few favourites, some less well known,

Arensky Variations on a theme of Tchaikovsky

Bax Tintagel and The Garden of Fand ( coupled with Colin Horsle's performance of the John Ireland Piano Concerto )

Debussy La Mer ( Orchestre de Paris )

Lehar Waltzes

Sibelius Pohjola's Daughter The best since Koussevitsky, I think.

Strauss Rosenkavalier suite and the Symphonic Fragments from Der Liebe der Danae

Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini

There are so many more, but could I also recommend the 2 disc set from Dutton entitled Glorious John, which includes a fascinating interview with him.

It seems entirely apt that both Barbirolli and Beecham recorded Das Heldenleben just before they died. Heroes both!

PS Dutton have just added some new titles to their sale, this may be the last chance to catch some of them.

Some crackers indeed in your list FF . The one that has been thrilling me this evening is his La Mer with the Orchestre de Paris . Apparently, they were very keen for him to come back and make more recordings with them but of course fate intervened .

The third movement is simply unparalleled in my opinion , Giulini , Abbado and HVK ( my other favourites ) don't really come close .

[Barbirollians]

A new one for the list for me his Pye recording of the Symphonie Fantastique on Phoenixa , another overstocks bargain . What a thrilling performance this is and particularly , unlike all too many that fall off , in the Witch's sabbath - scary stuff indeed and making the work sound more modern than ever .

Not to be missed I reckon .

[Dave2002]

A new one for the list for me his Pye recording of the Symphonie Fantastique on Phoenixa , another overstocks bargain . What a thrilling performance this is and particularly , unlike all too many that fall off , in the Witch's sabbath - scary stuff indeed and making the work sound more modern than ever .

Not to be missed I reckon .

Do you have the details of that one? The orchestra, dates of recording, and/or the supplier listing?

PS: Actually it's this one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Symphonie-Fa...ioz+barbirolli I didn't realise that Phoenixa was a sub label within EMI.

There are some other interesting looking Barbirolli recordings up the river - some probably hard to identify, and some by seemingly unlikely orchestras.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=barbirolli+berlioz+&rh=n%3A229816%2Ck%3Abarbirolli+berlioz+

This one doesn't have a full description - it's probably the same as the old version in one of the Membran or Documents boxes - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maestro-Gent...irolli+berlioz

[Bryn]

Do you have the details of that one? The orchestra, dates of recording, and/or the supplier listing?

PS: Actually it's this one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Symphonie-Fa...ioz+barbirolli I didn't realise that Phoenixa was a sub label within EMI.

There are some other interesting looking Barbirolli recordings up the river - some probably hard to identify, and some by seemingly unlikely orchestras.

ASIN: B00000DO79 at amazon.co.uk. I just grabbed a 51p Zoverstocks, but there is also one (Used: Veru Good) at 52p from another marketplace vendor.

[Dave2002]

The SWR recording has really odd sounding bells in the final movement, and maybe a gong added in for good measure - http://open.spotify.com/track/3nREhqBZv46usQhRMs8HdA I've never heard it sound like that before.

I've heard wilder versions, but not ones with that particular sonority.

[richardfinegold]

The SWR recording has really odd sounding bells in the final movement, and maybe a gong added in for good measure - http://open.spotify.com/track/3nREhqBZv46usQhRMs8HdA I've never heard it sound like that before.

I've heard wilder versions, but not ones with that particular sonority.

That recording was criticized in Fanfare due to the odd sounding bells and what the critic thought to be somnolent paceing.

[johnb]

ASIN: B00000DO79 at amazon.co.uk. I just grabbed a 51p Zoverstocks, but there is also one (Used: Veru Good) at 52p from another marketplace vendor.

Snapped up!

[Barbirollians]

Despite the mono sound the five stars given to the live Czech PO/Barbirolli 1960 Mahler 1 on the Barbirolli Society label in BBCMM this month are completely justified .

The first movement is shorn of its repeat but otherwise it is magnificent and the third movement is just perfect .I have never heard it played more characterfully I was on the edge of my seat for every bar anticipating every fresh thrill .

The finale is terrific too and the Czech PO sound like they are having a ball throughout .

It has the freshness of Kubelik, the character of Bernstein and the warmth of Walter .

Buy buy buy !!!!

[Barbirollians]

Just been listening to the new Warner remastering of his Brahms symphonies set with the VPO .

I know many regard these recordings generally as just too slow but listening to the a First tonight in which does seem a better transfer than that made by Royal Classics some years ago I am just struck by his beautiful the playing is and how remarkably Barbirolli exposed the inner life of these works . I think I can forgive the odd slow tempo when these performances have so much to tell us .