BaL 12.11.16 - Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony

[visualnickmos]

Not at all. I was requested to merge the two threads, so all comments on the Summer BaL thread are now moved to this one.

Thanks All is now clear now....
and a great listing (as always)
RVW's "London" is a remarkable work - I have a few recordings, but I think Boult's (EMI stereo) really does it for me - but the others are equally spellbinding in different ways.... a good BaL in prospect, I hope.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

How about the Yates entry. That still needs editing.

Done.

[Bryn]

Done.

Thanks. The performance may not be all that one might have hoped for but it's the only modern recording of the 1920 revision, as far as I am aware. However, I would just point out that Leon McCawley and John Lenehan do not participate in the performance of the London Symphony, only in the 2 piano version of the Piano concerto.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

However, I would just point out that Leon McCawley and John Lenehan do not participate in the performance of the London Symphony, only in the 2 piano version of the Piano concerto.

Now sorted.

[EdgeleyRob]

A lovely symphony that I was only just listening to last night, containing one of the most beautiful slow movements in the symphonic repertoire. I'd love to know what instrument(s) play(s) the haunting motif that recurs in it. It's reappearance and elegiac tone I find reminiscent of the 'Aino' trombone motif in Sibelius's 7th.

I'd probably plump for Haitink/LPO though was listening to the Manze last night; I remain undecided about it and whether he rather overeggs the motif in the slow movement.

Manze is my current favourite,the Lento not OTT to my ears Throppers.
Wouldn't be surprised it won.
All the makings of another super RLPO cycle.
Bakels on Naxos doesn't get the credit it deserves IMVHO

[Alison]

Manze is my current favourite,the Lento not OTT to my ears Throppers.
Wouldn't be surprised it won.
All the makings of another super RLPO cycle.
Bakels on Naxos doesn't get the credit it deserves IMVHO

I am with Edge here. Probably the best and most often played disc I've acquired this year. Can't wait for the next Manze release.

[richardfinegold]

I am with Edge here. Probably the best and most often played disc I've acquired this year. Can't wait for the next Manze release.

Hopefully you can be patient, because according to the promo blurb in Arkiv, Onyx plans to release the discs at the rate of one per year, to finish in 2019

[Alison]

Hopefully you can be patient, because according to the promo blurb in Arkiv, Onyx plans to release the discs at the rate of one per year, to finish in 2019

Well in a way I am happy with that especially if the quality level remains high. I did read which symphonies were next but have since forgotten.

[EdgeleyRob]

Well in a way I am happy with that especially if the quality level remains high. I did read which symphonies were next but have since forgotten.

3 & 4,due to be released March 2017 chuck.
Which means IIRC this cycle is mirroring the previous RLPO/Handley couplings

[visualnickmos]

So many marvellous recordings - all with vastly different approaches - but Boult - he's yer man. However, I find that I enjoy every recording I hear of this wonderful oeuvre, which is no bad thing.

[Alison]

3 & 4,due to be released March 2017 chuck.
Which means IIRC this cycle is mirroring the previous RLPO/Handley couplings

Ooh, I think 3 and 4 make a magnificent pairing. Roll on the Spring!

[BBMmk2]

Let's see... I have Boult's re-mastered 1951, Handley, Andrew Davies, Andre Previn. Be a very interesting BaL, methinks.

[Bryn]

My favourite remains the Nixa Barbirolli which today can be found, like the new Manze, coupled with the 8th, Barbirolli's 10" Nixa having been my introduction to that work too.

[Stanley Stewart]

My last 'live' performance of the London Symphony was at the York Barbican, circa 1991; Halle Orch/Yehudi Menuhin.

However, at this time of the year, I revisit an off-air video, now on DVD, of Ken Russell's,
RVW - A Symphonic Portrait - South Bank Show, in which, accompanied by a feisty Ursula VW, they
trace the background to each symphony, often with archive footage. Affectionate and enllightening.

[Tony Halstead]

A lovely symphony that I was only just listening to last night, containing one of the most beautiful slow movements in the symphonic repertoire. I'd love to know what instrument(s) play(s) the haunting motif that recurs in it. It's reappearance and elegiac tone I find reminiscent of the 'Aino' trombone motif in Sibelius's 7th.

I'd probably plump for Haitink/LPO though was listening to the Manze last night; I remain undecided about it and whether he rather overeggs the motif in the slow movement.

If you mean the tune in C major about 2'30" in ( 2nd mvt) it's played by the 1st trumpet, quite low in its register, doubled by 1st flute, also low down, with the 1st horn softly 'shadowing' the tune's 3rd- 4th notes and 8th-9th notes,
a rising interval of a 4th.
During the Previn/ LSO recording session, when I was playing that horn part, I was quite worried about the potential balance problem, what with the trumpet and flute being so low and relatively 'unresonant' compared to the horn which is pitched in its most 'ringing' register... I had the feeling at the time that I was 'sucking' rather than blowing!