Walton's Symphony no.1

[BBMmk2]

One of my all time favourites is this symphony.

Andre Previn's vynl was often played. Then I purchased the cd version and now I have Rattle's, APs, Sir Colin Davis(LSO Live), and Slatkin.

[Nick Armstrong]

One of my all time favourites is this symphony.

Andre Previn's vynl was often played. Then I purchased the cd version and now I have Rattle's, APs, Sir Colin Davis(LSO Live), and Slatkin.

Mine too, BBM! I remember the sort of dark lilac coloured LP cover for the Previn. I have those you mention (Rattle's I remember waiting for for years, and it being somewhat of a disappointment, largely due to the recorded sound I think), plus Haitink's rather different but splendid version with the Philharmonia, Paul Daniel's very good one, and Bryden Thomson's version also very good and sounding great on my system on Chandos. Probably Previn remains the all-round favourite.

That sounds like enough versions... but still, no one quite plays it as I imagine it in my head! The oboe solo near the start is never quite jazzy enough.

Guess I'll just have to learn how to conduct...

[Beef Oven]

Have a few Walton 1s, all the usual suspects - my fave is Slatkin by an urban kilometre.

[mercia]

just listening to Hamilton Harty in the year of its completion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG1_jND0a94

recorded in the spare bedroom by the sound of it

[Parry1912]

my fave is Slatkin by an urban kilometre.

I've just ordered this for a penny on the Amazon Marketplace so it had better be good!

[Ferretfancy]

In the venerable days of radio in the 1940s there used to be a programme called Scrapbook which raided the archives to paint a portrait of a particularly year.1935 featured that marvellous opening to the last movement, at the age of about 12 I was thrilled by it, but it was years before I heard the whole work. The version they used must have been the first ever recording with Hamilton Harty, who had given the premiere of the complete work that year.

I still enjoy the Previn, but there are now a number of good alternatives, how about Hamilton Harty ? Well, it's worth a spin. The composer's own version with the Philharmonia is certainly a must, and sounding much better than it did on LP. Then there's Boult's Nixa recording from 1956. Sargent's rather interesting EMI performance seems to have disappeared.
How about H von K ? Yes, he did record it with the Rome SO in 1953, and it can be found on the Great Conductors of the 20th Century double CD. It was made without Walton's approval after Herbert had visited him and asked for a few cuts ! It's certainly interesting to hear an Italian orchestra struggling a bit in an unfamiliar idiom.

One recording not mentioned so far is Mackerras with the LPO on EMi Eminence, coupled with the Second Symphony played by the LSO. Both these performances are a strong recommendation.

As a very junior technical operator at the Beeb in 1960 I was on duty at the Grafton studio one evening nervously standing over a BTR2 recorder with a music line from Edinburgh, ready to press the record button for the premiere of the Second Symphony with the RLPO and John Pritchard. I've often wondered whether the tape still exists. The music didn't get an enthusiastic reception like its predecessor, but seems to work better when heard today.

[Beef Oven]

I've just ordered this for a penny on the Amazon Marketplace so it had better be good!

I paid £11 over 20 years ago!

[Nick Armstrong]

I paid £11 over 20 years ago!

Me too

[Beef Oven]

Me too

We should've realised the price would come down to 1p 23 years later

PS The firm I bought it from paid corporation tax, so they could not pass so much of a saving onto the customer

[Petrushka]

The LSO/Previn has held sway now for an astonishing 46 years, surely approaching as unique a feat as you can get in the classical recording world. Many have come and gone but none have surpassed it.

No-one has yet mentioned Ashkenazy and the RPO who, along with Bryden Thomson, come closest to seriously challenging the Previn and they have much better sound. Like Caliban I was eager for the appearance of Rattle's account after a blistering live performance in 1984 but have to agree that it was a terrible let-down when it finally appeared. Similar comments apply to Colin Davis who gave a scorching RFH performance in 1977 with the BBCSO. Davis's LSO Live CD is another one let down by indifferent sonics, which is odd as I remember the broadcast of the same concert as being pretty good.

Other also-rans are Boult in 1975 (BBCMM) and 1956, Andrew Litton and, it has to be said, the composer himself. Walton's own recording is another where the engineers couldn't cope with the explosive dynamics. Haitink comes into his own in the finale which is excellent.

I really, really, wish that Sir Georg Solti had recorded it. His superb Belshazzar gives us a hint of what it would have been like. I haven't heard Slatkin or Daniel.

So to round off, we are still awaiting the ideal recording and one that can be said by common consent to surpass the astonishing 1966 Previn.

[EdgeleyRob]

The LSO/Previn has held sway now for an astonishing 46 years, surely approaching as unique a feat as you can get in the classical recording world. Many have come and gone but none have surpassed it.

No-one has yet mentioned Ashkenazy and the RPO who, along with Bryden Thomson, come closest to seriously challenging the Previn and they have much better sound. Like Caliban I was eager for the appearance of Rattle's account after a blistering live performance in 1984 but have to agree that it was a terrible let-down when it finally appeared. Similar comments apply to Colin Davis who gave a scorching RFH performance in 1977 with the BBCSO. Davis's LSO Live CD is another one let down by indifferent sonics, which is odd as I remember the broadcast of the same concert as being pretty good.

Other also-rans are Boult in 1975 (BBCMM) and 1956, Andrew Litton and, it has to be said, the composer himself. Walton's own recording is another where the engineers couldn't cope with the explosive dynamics. Haitink comes into his own in the finale which is excellent.

I really, really, wish that Sir Georg Solti had recorded it. His superb Belshazzar gives us a hint of what it would have been like. I haven't heard Slatkin or Daniel.

So to round off, we are still awaiting the ideal recording and one that can be said by common consent to surpass the astonishing 1966 Previn.

As someone on here once said (was it Jayne ? and where is she these days,missing her ),Previn nailed it!

[Beef Oven]

As someone on here once said (was it Jayne ? and where is she these days,missing her ),Previn nailed it!

Rob, check out the Slatkin , there's something pretty right about it.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've just ordered this for a penny on the Amazon Marketplace so it had better be good!

It is, Parry!

I also have the Makerras and a BBCMusMag CD with the BBCNOW/Otaka: they're all excellent - the work seems to inspire good performances.

I got to know the work through Previn (the RCA Gold Label re-issue from c1980) - an LP that quickly got worn down with playing. Over the years, I bought the CDs mentioned above, but never got round to the Previn re-issues. And then I found it in a Library sale; 50p - I know how to splash my money around! It really is the very best recording of the work I've ever heard!

[Beef Oven]

It is, Parry!

I also have the Makerras and a BBCMusMag CD with the BBCNOW/Otaka: they're all excellent - the work seems to inspire good performances.

I got to know the work through Previn (the RCA Gold Label re-issue from c1980) - an LP that quickly got worn down with playing. Over the years, I bought the CDs mentioned above, but never got round to the Previn re-issues. And then I found it in a Library sale; 50p - I know how to splash my money around! It really is the very best recording of the work I've ever heard!

Yes!!

I forgot about that Otaka BBC Musicmag CD - it's awesome!!

[EdgeleyRob]

Rob, check out the Slatkin , there's something pretty right about it.

Thanks Beef,will investigate,I also have Mackerras.