Vaughan Williams: The symphonies

[cloughie]

Maybe, just maybe, the 9th might have become more widely accepted in its early years of existence, had Barbirolli conducted the 1st performance (as he had for Sinfonia Antartica and no. 8) rather than Sargent. The first recording being made by Boult on Westminster rather than Decca (who had recorded 1-8 of the cycle) might have been a factor too.

I think it was Everest - one of the other labels that appeared on WRC!

[Flosshilde]

I have aquired this since the thread was started Floss,I think it's splendid.
This RVW Society member seems to like it too (page 10).

http://www.rvwsociety.com/journal_pd...journal_14.pdf

Indeed - I think I might splash out on it

[EdgeleyRob]

Indeed - I think I might splash out on it

Used copies for less than 3 quid (inc p&p) here http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-lis...condition=used

[Flosshilde]

The grocer has them for £3.99, postage free.

(I think they are marginally better than the tax-dodgers; at least, I've not heard anything against them on that, & some members of the family give hefty wads of money to 'the arts')

[BBMmk2]

Have naxos done anymore? They seem to be serving British music rather well.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Have naxos done anymore? They seem to be serving British music rather well.

The complete cycle, Bbm - shared between Bakels and Paul Daniel. I have the 5 & 9 coupling; it didn't strike me as an earth-shattering account on the lines of Handley, Boult or the Live Davis, "just" a very good performance of the work. I shall give it another hearing later in the day.

[BBMmk2]

The complete cycle, Bbm - shared between Bakels and Paul Daniel. I have the 5 & 9 coupling; it didn't strike me as an earth-shattering account on the lines of Handley, Boult or the Live Davis, "just" a very good performance of the work. I shall give it another hearing later in the day.

Please let us know!!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I was just wondering.
The Vernon Handley recording of A Sea Symphony". Does anyone have one of the early release CDs? It was one of those rare recordings that gives a real concert hall balance, without pushing the soloists forward. I lost my copy in a burglary in the early 90's. Subsequently I bought the Handley cycle, but it has been remixed (by popular demand?) so some of the atmosphere has been lost. If anyone can help me track down a copy, I'd be most grateful.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Please let us know!!

Well, now, you see; here's the thing. I got the case off the shelf - and the disc isn't in it!

So I played the Maggini CD of RVW's String Quartets (next on the shelf) - lovely, but not doing much to jog my memory about the quality of Mr Bakel's performance of #9!

[EdgeleyRob]

Well, now, you see; here's the thing. I got the case off the shelf - and the disc isn't in it!

So I played the Maggini CD of RVW's String Quartets (next on the shelf) - lovely, but not doing much to jog my memory about the quality of Mr Bakel's performance of #9!

[Pabmusic]

Well, now, you see; here's the thing. I got the case off the shelf - and the disc isn't in it! ...

So I'm not alone in experiencing this.

[BBMmk2]

So I'm not alone in experiencing this.

I have the same! James Ehnes and the Walton VC!!

[Dave2002]

I have the same! James Ehnes and the Walton VC!!

One CD I had disappeared without trace years ago when we had some cleaners in. I can't believe they took it, though maybe they threw it away! Perhaps it'll turn up when/if we move.

I don't always put CDs back in their cases, usually because there's a case missing, so rather than have them lying around loose I put them itno another case which I expect to be opened again soon. For goodness sake don't put CDs into those huge box sets - 50 or more, unless at the very least they belong to the set. That's a sure way to lose them almost for ever!

[seabright]

Sir Colin Davis's recent death reminds me that he gave terrific performances of RVW4 with the New York Philharmonic (it's in one of their own multi-CD boxed sets) and RVW6 with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra (BR Klassik) but as far as I know he never bothered with any of the others. I'd have thought he might have recorded at least one complete RVW symphonies cycle instead of rather unecessarily duplicating three of Sibelius's (one with the Boston SO and two with the LSO). I guess he thought Sibelius the superior composer, though personally speaking I'd rather listen to RVW6 than Sibelius 6 any day of the week!

[Tony Halstead]

I'd rather listen to RVW6 than Sibelius 6 any day of the week!