Vaughan Williams: The symphonies

[verismissimo]

Am I alone in finding the Sinfonia Antarctica one cliche after another?

On the other hand, liking the ninth a lot. Don't think I heard it before.

[richardfinegold]

Am I alone in finding the Sinfonia Antarctica one cliche after another?

On the other hand, liking the ninth a lot. Don't think I heard it before.

I don't know if you are alone, but I find Antartica to be a very original sounding work, particularly the inner movements.
The music originated as film music, and there are some moments that may strike some listeners as kitsch, such as the final pages with the depiction of the cold wind sweeping over what are presumably the dying explorers. It doesn't sound like kitsch to me, any more than the wind effects of the last movement of Chopin's Piano Sonata #2, for example, or the wind effects of the Alpine Symphony, for another.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I don't know if you are alone, but I find Antartica to be a very original sounding work, particularly the inner movements.

Took the words from my keyboard, richard.

Haitink shares our view, I think: it was the first, and for some time the only, work by RVW he recorded.

[Parry1912]

I don't know if you are alone, but I find Antartica to be a very original sounding work, particularly the inner movements.

For me, one of the great symphonies of the 20th Century.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

For me, one of the great symphonies of the 20th Century.

I agree. It was among my first introductions to RVW and it has retained its impact.

[Ferretfancy]

Scott of the Antarctic is on BBC2 this Saturday at 1.15, so if you fancy a bit of stiff upper lippery, now's your chance! I was at school when the film came out, and we were taken to a showing at the dear old Loughton Odeon. It seems rather old fashioned today, but it is a good example of what Ealing could do. If I remember correctly the use of VW's music as they reach the Beardmore Glacier is very spectacular.

I've been lucky enough to visit Scott's hut on Ross Island, and I found myself standing there with the music going through my head.Everything is lovingly preserved by a special trust, not only for Scott, but for Shackleton as well. Incidentally the recent absurd claim to part of Antarctica by this absurd government is of course nonsense, and Cameron must know this. We have been party to the Antarctic Treaty since the late 1950s, as is Argentina. Nobody owns the continent, not even the United States, it is a last sanctuary for international research.

[BBMmk2]

Yes indeed Ferret.it is a very good film! That musicat bearmore Glacier is sopmething else! But as far as the Sinfonia Antartica goes, it is one of my favourite RVW scores. indeed the inner movements are very original!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Am I alone in finding the Sinfonia Antarctica one cliche after another?

So far, veris!

[Sir Velo]

Am I alone in finding the Sinfonia Antarctica one cliche after another?

Wonderful work. The passage which evokes the ascent of the Beardmore never ceases to chill the spine! Much of what some may hear as cliche is precisely due to the impact VW's visionary score had on a generation of film composers.

[Colonel Danby]

For what it's worth, my favourite RVW symphonies in order, and the best conductors: needless to say I adore them all, and anybody that has the good sense to record any of them has my life long friendship, but here goes:

RVW: 3, 2, 9, 8, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1 (sorry, cannot stand the text of Whitman)

and as for conductors...

Sea: Haitink
London: Hickox
Pastoral: Handley
Fourth: Boult
Five: Handley
Six: Goldilocks
Antartica: Haitink (although the superscriptions recorded by dear old Ralphie on Previn's recording are to die for)
Eight: Thomson
Nine: Thomson

but I'll probably change my mind in a few minutes...

[Barbirollians]

For what it's worth, my favourite RVW symphonies in order, and the best conductors: needless to say I adore them all, and anybody that has the good sense to record any of them has my life long friendship, but here goes:

RVW: 3, 2, 9, 8, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1 (sorry, cannot stand the text of Whitman)

and as for conductors...

Sea: Haitink
London: Hickox
Pastoral: Handley
Fourth: Boult
Five: Handley
Six: Goldilocks
Antartica: Haitink (although the superscriptions recorded by dear old Ralphie on Previn's recording are to die for)
Eight: Thomson
Nine: Thomson

but I'll probably change my mind in a few minutes...

I assume Sir Rog hasn't recorded any

[HighlandDougie]

Six: Goldilocks

OK, I know I'm thick but who he (or she)? I can only think Stokowski (fine performance indeed) as Boult didn't have many locks to engolden.

[verismissimo]

So far, veris!

Democracy. Hmmmm.

[Barbirollians]

Anyone know why Barbirolli only seems to have recorded 2,5,7 & 8 ? There is as mentioned above also the live no 4 on the Barbirolli Society recording and the live Bavarian No 6 and whether he ever conducted the others in concert . I should have thought that the Sea Symphony would have been right up his street .

[Petrushka]

Anyone know why Barbirolli only seems to have recorded 2,5,7 & 8 ? There is as mentioned above also the live no 4 on the Barbirolli Society recording and the live Bavarian No 6 and whether he ever conducted the others in concert . I should have thought that the Sea Symphony would have been right up his street .

Michael Kennedy's excellent biography of Barbirolli makes mention (page 243) of a complete RVW cycle in 1951/2 with JB playing the cello in the orchestra in the Sea Symphony at a Sheffield performance with RVW conducting - what an extraordinary thing to do! - but makes no mention of him conducting the work himself.
Kennedy doesn't mention for which RVW symphonies JB took the baton in that cycle but the implication from having just read the passage is that JB conducted all but the Sea.