BaL 14.05.22 - Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 4 in F minor

[makropulos]

It will be a travesty if it is not mentioned, though.

I'm sure it will be –it's one of the most thrilling composer-conducted performances on record and in its WRC LP transfer, the way I first got to know the piece. But it'll be very interesting to see who rises to the top among more recent versions.

[cloughie]

I'm sure it will be –it's one of the most thrilling composer-conducted performances on record and in its WRC LP transfer, the way I first got to know the piece. But it'll be very interesting to see who rises to the top among more recent versions.

For me there is a very strong field of older versions eg Boult -Decca 50s and EMI 60s - Previn, Bernstein and Mitropoulos - of recent versions I think Manze will be there or thereabouts - I don’t claim to be a barometer of these things but I felt a breathe of fresh air when I first heard it!

[Bryn]

I recall the performance by the BBCSSO under Norman Del Mar (BBC Music Magazine cover disc) being very fine, though neither that nor the rather less inspired recent cover disc with Wilson will be up for consideration. I must dig out the former.

[Pulcinella]

I recall the performance by the BBCSSO under Norman Del Mar (BBC Music Magazine cover disc) being very fine, though neither that nor the rather less inspired recent cover disc with Wilson will be up for consideration. I must dig out the former.

Oops: I'd forgotten that that was on the shelves too.
Post #3 amended accordingly and CD dug out for a spin.

[Barbirollians]

I'm sure it will be –it's one of the most thrilling composer-conducted performances on record and in its WRC LP transfer, the way I first got to know the piece. But it'll be very interesting to see who rises to the top among more recent versions.

I had the HMV Treasury LP with Barbirolli’s first ever recording of the Fifth on Side 2 . Almost wore it out.

[Pulcinella]

I'm sure it will be –it's one of the most thrilling composer-conducted performances on record and in its WRC LP transfer, the way I first got to know the piece. But it'll be very interesting to see who rises to the top among more recent versions.

Certainly is: I've just streamed it (in a Dutton coupling with Barbirolli's recording of S5).

[makropulos]

Certainly is: I've just streamed it (in a Dutton coupling with Barbirolli's recording of S5).

I like that Dutton transfer –it makes the best of it, I think.

Was anyone else at the RFH performance in 1973 (I think?) when Haitink did it with the LPO, as part of a wonderfully odd programme: scenes from Mozart's Entführung in the first half, then In the South and VW4 in the second. It was an amazingly exciting performance of the VW –really visceral–and I'm sorry that BH's studio recording doesn't quite recapture that, though I still find plenty to like in it.

I've been listening to few more recent ones and the two which stand out for me have been Slatkin (honestly, it's really worth a listen) and Pappano. Having said that, I keep being drawn back to RVW's own, and to Boult's 1938 NBC Symphony live performance on Pristine which is a quite a roller-coaster.

[Master Jacques]

Like makropulos and other posters, I'm also continually drawn back to the composer's own account, as simply having much more visceral excitement than any other. There's a great danger in this symphony - exemplified (for me) in Pappano's virtuosic but over-manicured rendition - that the sense of danger is lost; and the scrambling BBC strings under RVW convey the perfect sense of an orchestra on the edge of sanity!

Among more conventional versions, Bernstein and Berglund's RPO version stand out for me, as getting closest to the symphony's grim heart.

[Parry1912]

I've been listening to few more recent ones and the two which stand out for me have been Slatkin (honestly, it's really worth a listen) and Pappano. Having said that, I keep being drawn back to RVW's own, and to Boult's 1938 NBC Symphony live performance on Pristine which is a quite a roller-coaster.

I’ve listened to Slatkin again this morning - I’d forgotten how good it is. Definitely up there with Pappano, Berglund and Haitink among stereo recordings to my mind.

[makropulos]

I’ve listened to Slatkin again this morning - I’d forgotten how good it is. Definitely up there with Pappano, Berglund and Haitink among stereo recordings to my mind.

I'd not listened to Berglund for ages and reading your message had me scurrying off for my copy –it really is terrific isn't it?

[Master Jacques]

I'd not listened to Berglund for ages and reading your message had me scurrying off for my copy –it really is terrific isn't it?

It certainly is! Down the years, the Berglund 4th remains one of my most-played RVW symphonic records. I only wish that certain more recent - and disappointing - 4ths could muster half such power, half such poetry or half such symphonic logic.

[Edgy 2]

I’ve listened to Slatkin again this morning - I’d forgotten how good it is. Definitely up there with Pappano, Berglund and Haitink among stereo recordings to my mind.

I've been listening to the whole cycle this last few days, it really is very good

[Retune]

Those Vaughan Williams symphony box set covers are getting a bit daring:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Williams-Symphonies-Greensleeves-Fantasias/dp/B0014DAI9U

[Bryn]

Those Vaughan Williams symphony box set covers are getting a bit daring:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Wil.../dp/B0014DAI9U

[cloughie]

Those Vaughan Williams symphony box set covers are getting a bit daring:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Wil.../dp/B0014DAI9U

…and I thought Dangerous Davis was a TV detective!