BaL 12.11.16 - Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony

[Petrushka]

May I chip in here, please?
My 'favourite' order is: 5, 3, 2, 6, 4, 9, 8, 7, 1.

Been playing a bit of RVW lately but my ranking never changes much, if at all.

6, 7, 9, 3, 5, 4, 8, 2, 1.

The problem with buying complete sets is that one gets yet another Sea Symphony that one doesn't want and in all likelihood will never get played.

[ardcarp]

Easy to praise a BaL which tallies with one's own prejudices

I take your point....but disagree! There is a classic way of doing BAL which includes playing contrasting extracts of a reasonable percentage of what is available and giving cogent reasons for making a final choice. This was it today. As far as RVW's London is concerned, I'm agnostic about the versions and would be happy with any of the front runners, tho' would quite like to hear Hickox's 'complete' account. But my shopping cart for Stocking Fillers is already full to busting.

[BBMmk2]

Ah the Hickox "original version", of The London, is sublime!

[HighlandDougie]

I take your point....but disagree! There is a classic way of doing BAL which includes playing contrasting extracts of a reasonable percentage of what is available and giving cogent reasons for making a final choice. This was it today. As far as RVW's London is concerned, I'm agnostic about the versions and would be happy with any of the front runners, tho' would quite like to hear Hickox's 'complete' account. But my shopping cart for Stocking Fillers is already full to busting.

Absolutely agree that this was, as is neatly, put, "it", in terms of how to do a BaL. Even if, as Beefy said earlier, he had chosen versions not to one's taste, it would be very hard to fault what was in most ways an exemplary programme. My sloppy wording - self-administered slap on the wrist and back to listening to Tod Handley.

[PJPJ]

Ah the Hickox "original version", of The London, is sublime!

I agree. A lovely production all round.

Although I listened with what I thought were both ears this morning, I missed any reference to Manze's new recording. Was it mentioned?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The problem with buying complete sets is that one gets yet another Sea Symphony that one doesn't want and in all likelihood will never get played.

Oh, I always play them - sometimes two or three times each - always in hope; always disappointed.

[Bryn]

Was any mention made of the 1920 revision (Yates)?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Was any mention made of the 1920 revision (Yates)?

Yes - for all the importance of the recording/edition, he didn't think very much of the performance and dismissed it with little regret.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... interesting that the second Boult ... which RVW authority Michael Kennedy so admired thirty-odd years ago was quickly left out of the running. I shall be interested to hear his reasons.

Ah! Less "grip on the structure" than the Mono recording, and some "moments of flawed ensemble".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Although I listened with what I thought were both ears this morning, I missed any reference to Manze's new recording. Was it mentioned?

Yes - on the i-Player, at around 59mins from the start of the programme (not the start of the review) focussed on the Scherzo.

Summary: "Manze knows his RVW ... fresh & thoughtful ... I like the tempo there ... buoyancy to the rhythm ... the whole performance seems to get better and better as it goes on; the last movement is terrific ... but the overall symphonic structure doesn't come across as well as it does with the very best. Well worth hearing, though."

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What I cannot find any reference to at all is the Hallé/Elder recording ... have I missed it, or did Mr Lowther?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

He he, me neither - I got the CFP Handley box some time ago, and very good it is, too.

It's also in the EMI 30 CD Vaughan Williams box set.

[Bryn]

Yes - for all the importance of the recording/edition, he didn't think very much of the performance and dismissed it with little regret.

Fairy Nuffield. Can't say I disagree. Perhaps someone with a greater grasp on RVW's muse will have a go at it at some point.

[LeMartinPecheur]

What I cannot find any reference to at all is the Hallé/Elder recording ... have I missed it, or did Mr Lowther?

He gave it a sentence or two mid-review. My notes(!) indicate that he felt it was too calculated, with too many little nudges that might come to annoy.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

He gave it a sentence or two mid-review. My notes(!) indicate that he felt it was too calculated, with too many little nudges that might come to annoy.

Thanks, LMP. There was so much information and food for thought in the programme, I <ahem> must have been contemplating and ruminating upon the points he'd just raised before mentioning this.