Vaughan Williams: The symphonies

[EdgeleyRob]

Apropos the foregoing comments ... do these mean that complete cycles by one conductor are preferable to single performances by lots of different ones? ... Purely personally, I wouldn't be without Goossens and the Cincinnati Orchestra in the "London" as it is not only a terrific performance but is of the 1920 edition with some extra music. Mitropoulos in No. 4 and Stokowski in No. 6, both with the New York Philharmonic, are also of the "original" scores while Koussevitzky and the Boston SO in No. 5 is another essential performance for any RVW collection. However, they are all non-British and "historic" so I guess they won't appeal to those who think only English orchestras can play RVW and want modern versions. Having said that, Barbirolli and the Halle are essential in the "Antartica", an excellent 'first recording', as is Boult's Decca version of the "Pastoral". Reverting to US orchestras, Bernstein and the NYPO did a thrilling RVW4 for Sony on a CD that also has a very starry line-up in the "Serenade to Music," with Jon Vickers, Eileen Farrell, Shirley Verrett, George London and others. This is a beautifully sung and played performance too and is well worth seeking out.

As an RVW nut and an obsessive completist,all recordings of his music are essential to me (although I don't have everything yet).
I certainly don't think only English orchestras can do the symphonies justice.
I would add to your examples the extraordinary 6th,Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Colin Davis and the complete State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture set under Gennady Rozhdestvensky.

[Suffolkcoastal]

Surprisingly, I won't invest in the Previn, I'm not one for having lots of different versions of a particular work/works. I'm happy with what I've got, plus I don't have the money these days for CDs (I haven't bought any for several months).

[Conchis]

I have complete sets by Andrew Davis and Haitink. The Haitink one contains some valuable supplements in the form of song cycles, etc.

Not got the LSO/Previn but have been very impressed by the individual discs I've picked up via charity shops - a particularly great pairing of 3&4, I recall.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm not one for having lots of different versions of a particular work/works..

[Beef Oven!]

As an RVW nut and an obsessive completist,all recordings of his music are essential to me (although I don't have everything yet).
I certainly don't think only English orchestras can do the symphonies justice.
I would add to your examples the extraordinary 6th,Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Colin Davis and the complete State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture set under Gennady Rozhdestvensky.

Hi Rob,

I've been ripping all my RVW CDs to my hard-drive this weekend and been dipping in and out (#3 Previn as I type). I'm hearing your Rozhdestvensky steer, loud and clear!

I subscribe to the Apple Music streaming service and it's available on there, so I can listen to them all over the coming weeks.

[Ferretfancy]

Surprisingly, I won't invest in the Previn, I'm not one for having lots of different versions of a particular work/works. I'm happy with what I've got, plus I don't have the money these days for CDs (I haven't bought any for several months).

For me, collecting avidly over the years, it seems important to have different versions of many works. In fact, I'm not really sure that the BAL approach is very helpful. There is always the risk that certain recorded versions of familiar works become frozen in the mind and become a yardstick against which all other performances are judged, including live ones in the concert hall. Having alternative versions is necessary in my view, but of course cost and shelf space do come into the argument!

[Barbirollians]

No feeling of inadequacy here, I'm pleased to say.
Boult (EMI), Haitink, Handley, and Previn (in a previous incarnation: RCA Complete Collections) sets already weighing the shelves down, supplemented by Barbirolli 2/8, Handley (LPO 2/6), Hickox (original 2), Berglund/Gibson (4/5/6), and Menuhin (5, coupled with a two-piano version of the piano concerto, if you see what I mean!).
I'm in accord with the comments about the Previn set.

Ah but you are missing the live Barbirolli 6 and the Barbirolli EMI Antarctica - essential VW recordings for me . I only have the Previn 5 on LP and have always loved it and cannot wait for this .

[Beef Oven!]

For me, collecting avidly over the years, it seems important to have different versions of many works. In fact, I'm not really sure that the BAL approach is very helpful. There is always the risk that certain recorded versions of familiar works become frozen in the mind and become a yardstick against which all other performances are judged, including live ones in the concert hall. Having alternative versions is necessary in my view, but of course cost and shelf space do come into the argument!

I used to be meticulous in avoiding duplications, for years I only had 1 Russian Easter Festival! And I wouldn't dream of buying a second version of any work I already owned. Then one Saturday, I heard a BaL (I think) of either Antar or Boridin 2 (can't remember now), and it blew me away - the difference between the performances on BaL and the Naxos version I owned. From that day on, my mind (and cheque-book) was opened to the marvellous variety of different approaches. I could not get by with just the one performance of say, La Mer.

I totally agree with you that BaL is not very helpful, it's just ironic that through BaL, I made my discovery.

[teamsaint]

I used to be meticulous in avoiding duplications, for years I only had 1 Russian Easter Festival! And I wouldn't dream of buying a second version of any work I already owned. Then one Saturday, I heard a BaL (I think) of either Antar or Boridin 2 (can't remember now), and it blew me away - the difference between the performances on BaL and the Naxos version I owned. From that day on, my mind (and cheque-book) was opened to the marvellous variety of different approaches. I could not get by with just the one performance of say, La Mer.

I totally agree with you that BaL is not very helpful, it's just ironic that through BaL, I made my discovery.

Perhaps to state the obvious, and as you discovered,the BaL approach possibly has most added value most often for those wishing to add a second or third recording to their collection.

[Pulcinella]

Perhaps to state the obvious, and as you discovered,the BaL approach possibly has most added value most often for those wishing to add a second or third recording to their collection.

More like hoping not to have to in my case, usually!
But always grateful for being able to hear different interpretations (I wish R3 would bring back Interpretations on record), if only to rid the idea that the version you have, and have grown to like and love above all others, just might not be the best!

[Beef Oven!]

I wish R3 would bring back Interpretations on record

I don't remember that programme, please tell us more!

[Pulcinella]

Ah but you are missing the live Barbirolli 6 and the Barbirolli EMI Antarctica - essential VW recordings for me.

Yes, but sometimes one has to make sacrifices.
(I have just finished rereading His dark materials, so am in that sort of mood!)

[Pulcinella]

I don't remember that programme, please tell us more!

I'm sure you can imagine from the title.
Knowledgable presenter talking about a specific work with examples from different performances.
But more substantial snippets than we normally get on BaL.
Perhaps less easy to do nowadays with more versions/interpretations.

PS: I found this link:

http://5against4.com/2008/05/23/interpretations-on-record-messiaens-turangalila/

[Beef Oven!]

I'm sure you can imagine from the title.
Knowledgable presenter talking about a specific work with examples from different performances.
But more substantial snippets than we normally get on BaL.
Perhaps less easy to do nowadays with more versions/interpretations.

Thanks

[Pulcinella]

Thanks

See PS added: link to a 70-min edition on Turangalîla.