Boyce Symphonies on CD

[LaurieWatt]

I used to have a recording of the Boyce Symphonies on a Turnabout recording with the Wurtembourg Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jorg Faerber. I would be hugely grateful if any of you could enlighten me as to the best recordings of these works available now - and, indeed, whether those performances by Jorg Faerber are still rated?

[mathias broucek]

I learned these from the Marriner / Decca which still sounds well to me. The Pinnock is also good (HIP but in tune!). I've not heard the Faerber but it's listed on Amazon in both CD and MP3 form.

If you like the symphonies, you may enjoy the Trio Sonatas. In the recording below, half of them are performed in the alternative concerto grosso versions.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boyce-Trio-Sonatas-Nos-1-15/dp/B003LT2KVE/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1384163849&sr=1-1&keywords=boyce+holman

[Colonel Danby]

Well I've got Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert on Archiv in the Boyce Symphonies, and they are a fairly safe bet if, like me, you prefer performances on "authentic instruments" (what ever that means).

DG Archiv 419 631-2

[cloughie]

I used to have a recording of the Boyce Symphonies on a Turnabout recording with the Wurtembourg Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jorg Faerber. I would be hugely grateful if any of you could enlighten me as to the best recordings of these works available now - and, indeed, whether those performances by Jorg Faerber are still rated?

Those old Turnabouts were good - there was a Brandenburgs set and Four Seasons which were worth a listen too. I had an LP of the Boyce by Menhuin and 1/4 bt ECO Hurwitz. I agree with mathias about the Marriner and Pinnock (who I like even if I'm not the World's biggest HIPP fan)

[Barbirollians]

Pinnock for me - Micky D I think recommended some a few months back .

[umslopogaas]

The 2010 Penguin Guide recommends Pinnock and the English Consort, and Thomas and the Bournmouth Sinf. I have two old LP versions: Menuhin and the Menuhin Festival Orch., and Marriner and the ASMF. I'd be happy with either, I dont think Menuhin is HIPP, but that doesnt bother me.

[MickyD]

Pinnock for me - Micky D I think recommended some a few months back .

I did indeed! The Pinnock is excellent and was, I think, the first HIP version. But he takes artistic licence and puts in flutes in the slow movement of Symphony No.1 which I understand were never there. A few years later, Hogwood did another admirable version (minus flutes!), which I think is probably now my preferred choice. It can be had in two different editions from Decca:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Music-Collection-William-Symphonies/dp/B000068QS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1384179838&sr=1-1&keywords=boyce+hogwood

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boyce-8-Symphonies-Op-2-Aam/dp/B00000E557/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1384179838&sr=1-2&keywords=boyce+hogwood

I prefer the latter because of its original Florilegium cover!

[Dave2002]

It can be had in two different editions from Decca:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Music-Collection-William-Symphonies/dp/B000068QS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1384179838&sr=1-1&keywords=boyce+hogwood

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boyce-8-Symphonies-Op-2-Aam/dp/B00000E557/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1384179838&sr=1-2&keywords=boyce+hogwood

I prefer the latter because of its original Florilegium cover!

Don't you mean Oiseau-Lyre?

[MickyD]

Yes, L'Oiseau Lyre, but Florilegium was the title given to the separate series of recordings on period instruments recorded by the artists on the Decca roster such as Hogwood and Anthony Rooley etc. Maybe you are too young to remember their LP incarnation, Dave!

[mathias broucek]

I tend to find Pinnock's EC recordings have better playing / tuning than Hogwood's AAM recordings but I've not heard the latter's Boyce.

[MickyD]

Hogwood is well worth a listen - he also varies the continuo sound between symphonies by alternating with an organ and harpsichord.

[LaurieWatt]

I tend to find Pinnock's EC recordings have better playing / tuning than Hogwood's AAM recordings but I've not heard the latter's Boyce.

Thank you, MB and everyone else. Most interesting with Trevor Pinnock coming well ahead with Hogwood a close second. Much appreciated.
LW

[pastoralguy]

Lovely works. A great way to start the day!

[gurnemanz]

I used to have a recording of the Boyce Symphonies on a Turnabout recording with the Wurtembourg Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jorg Faerber. I would be hugely grateful if any of you could enlighten me as to the best recordings of these works available now - and, indeed, whether those performances by Jorg Faerber are still rated?

I also had the LP, now vanished, but did snap up a CD version by pure chance while browsing at a shop in Swindon market of all places a while ago. It went under the Carlton Classics label and is dated 1996. Prompted by your post, I'm just enjoying listening to them again. It is a fairly old cheap label recording and I suppose the sound is not what reviewers like to call "refined" but it is perfectly satisfactory. I did find an internet source which includes Stanley Sadie's original very enthusiastic Gramophone review with nostalgic references to pre-decimal currency (marvellous value at two shillings per symphony!). I certainly paid a lot less than their 16 Dollar asking price.

[richardfinegold]

Well I've got Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert on Archiv in the Boyce Symphonies, and they are a fairly safe bet if, like me, you prefer performances on "authentic instruments" (what ever that means).

DG Archiv 419 631-2

That is the one to have