Vaughan Williams: The symphonies

[rauschwerk]

He has recorded some of them.

3 & 5, to be precise.

[Petrushka]

3 & 5, to be precise.

I thought that a complete cycle from RN was intended but the project fell through.

[cloughie]

3 & 5, to be precise.

2 3 and 5 pretty good actually but were LPO recorded long before the Stuttgart - don't give me your vibrato - period!

[Bryn]

He has recorded some of them - 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Indeed, and Decca even went so far as to put the 'gold' embossed RVW logo on the jewel case 'doors' of a couple of the issues, resorting to printing it on the booklet cover for the other. I'm particularly sorry that RN did not manage to record 8 and 9 for that series. All five that he did record for Decca (plus the Tallis Fantasia, unfortunately replete with excessive vibrato) are well worth hearing. Strangely, RN seems not to have recorded any RVW with the Stuttgarters. More's the pity. The Tallis Fantasia shorn of sickly excessive vibrato would suit me fine. Just leave it for the string quartet to use with care.

[Parry1912]

I haven't listened to Norrington's 'London' for a while. The main reason I got it was to have another recording of the original version of the 'Serenade to Music'.

[Ferretfancy]

Dare I ask if Norrington has ever tackled any of the symphonies? (ducks)

I don't think so Micky. I'm very far from being a Norrington fan, but in fairness he conducted a fine performance of the London Symphony at the Proms a few years ago.

[Ferretfancy]

Re the above, obviously I'm wrong !

[Pabmusic]

That's because they are the best symphonies ever written BBM,simples.

Normally I'd steer clear of such 'simples' statements. But...as a set...? I think I listen to all the VW more often than I listen to all Beethoven's, or Dvorak's, or Mahler's, or Bruckner's, or indeed anyone else I can think of who wrote a large set.


I'd certainly say that they are by far my favourite set, and have been for longer than I can recall. They certainly seem to match any mood I can bring to them.

[rauschwerk]

I haven't listened to Norrington's 'London' for a while. The main reason I got it was to have another recording of the original version of the 'Serenade to Music'.

I have been reminded that Norrington's Serenade was a BaL recommendation about ten years ago (preferable to Best's, it would seem) and have ordered a copy of that. I shall listen to the other pieces on the CD (Symphony 2, Tallis Fantasia) with interest.

[verismissimo]

I've been considering purchasing the Previn cycle on and off for several decades. Now I see that on Amazon it's seven times the price of the EMI Boult.

Worth the difference?

[Pabmusic]

I've been considering purchasing the Previn cycle on and off for several decades. Now I see that on Amazon it's seven times the price of the EMI Boult.

Worth the difference?

The earlier Previn is an inspired cycle, some performances very great ones - 2, 3, 5*, 8 & 9 being especially good. There are two Boult sets - the Decca (and Everest) set from the 1950s, and the EMI from the late 60s and early 70s. The earlier set had the benefit of the composer at most sessions, but only 8 & 9 were in stereo. Some of the performances are very great - the Sea Symphony was for long a demonstration record for recording quality, and 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9 are very fine indeed. The EMI set is very fine, too - nos. 2**, 3, 5, 6 & 9 are particularly good.

* My favourite 5th
** My favourite 'London'

[antongould]

Did anyone listen to the R4 Great Lives on RVW? Apologies if it has already been mentioned/discussed.

[Bryn]

Did anyone listen to the R4 Great Lives on RVW? Apologies if it has already been mentioned/discussed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pfxj3

[richardfinegold]

I have LSO/Previn and BBCSO/Andrew Davis. Previn's set is a runaway winner and am surprised it's not on your shelves, BBM!

I'd welcome any comment on Boult's second set http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Will...6780183&sr=1-1. A real bargain by the look of it.

The only snag is getting yet another Sea Symphony, a work I find really difficult to take (sorry to all fans but...).

I have that issue as well.
My first exposure to RVW was the Sea Symphoony, and that put me off from exploring him for years. I became enamored with this Composer after hearing the Bryden Thompson Chandos disc coupling the 5th with The Lark Ascending, which next led me to Haitink's recording of the Antarctica

[EdgeleyRob]

Normally I'd steer clear of such 'simples' statements. But...as a set...? I think I listen to all the VW more often than I listen to all Beethoven's, or Dvorak's, or Mahler's, or Bruckner's, or indeed anyone else I can think of who wrote a large set.


I'd certainly say that they are by far my favourite set, and have been for longer than I can recall. They certainly seem to match any mood I can bring to them.

I know what you mean by matching any mood Pab.
I've mentioned before I can't' go for more than 3 or 4 days without listening to Vaughan Williams.
I find it difficult to put into words but his music is almost like a drug that is essential to my well-being,to the point where it's comparable to withdrawal symptoms if I go without,no other composer has such a profound effect on me.

Is this normal or am I a little bit mad ?
Anyone else affected so extremely by their favourite music ?.