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

[Pulcinella]

Where?

In the run-up to the BaL slot in the programme (and possibly in trailers for it, I forget now!).
As in......And this morning we have a special edition of BaL in which......

[Bryn]

In the run-up to the BaL slot in the programme (and possibly in trailers for it, I forget now!).
As in......And this morning we have a special edition of BaL in which......

Ah, that explains why I could find no mention of it in the listing or other write-up. My guess would be that it was a reference to the RVW being flavour of the month or so.

[Parry1912]

In his Gramophone Collection article in May 2014, Andrew Aschenbach (who knows a thing or two about English music) concluded by saying:

“Berglund easily makes it on to my own shortlist, alongside Handley, Haitink and Oundjian. Among the historic contenders, Vaughan Williams himself, Barbirolli, Boult (1953) and Mitropoulos’s two versions also demand to be heard. In matters of interpretation, the composer remains my touchstone, but the shellac sound may prove a stumbling block for first-timers.

So my all-round choice for the shelves? Well, in the end it’s a fearsomely close run thing between Handley and Haitink, but by a whisker the victory palm goes to the Dutchman, whose incomparably lucid, resplendently played and intensely stimulating interpretation never fails to engage both head and heart.”

[Alison]

In his Gramophone Collection article in May 2014, Andrew Aschenbach (who knows a thing or two about English music) concluded by saying:

“Berglund easily makes it on to my own shortlist, alongside Handley, Haitink and Oundjian. Among the historic contenders, Vaughan Williams himself, Barbirolli, Boult (1953) and Mitropoulos’s two versions also demand to be heard. In matters of interpretation, the composer remains my touchstone, but the shellac sound may prove a stumbling block for first-timers.

So my all-round choice for the shelves? Well, in the end it’s a fearsomely close run thing between Handley and Haitink, but by a whisker the victory palm goes to the Dutchman, whose incomparably lucid, resplendently played and intensely stimulating interpretation never fails to engage both head and heart.”

[neiltingley]

American critic David Hurwitz does not mince his words about the Haitink. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxc80x0Z62I


I gave up after hearing the 2nd subject. Lifeless.

oops. How wrong I am. Listening again.

Tried the Mitropoulos last night. Enjoyed that.

Not sure I like 4 and much as 6.

[neiltingley]

Yes I think he's totally wrong about Haitink in the 4th. He's rarely complimentary about Haitink, Horenstein or Rattle. Perhaps it is Britphobia. Life is too short to fret about it.

[Bryn]

Yes I think he's totally wrong about Haitink in the 4th. He's rarely complimentary about Haitink, Horenstein or Rattle. Perhaps it is Britphobia. Life is too short to fret about it.

I think it's more a case of lack of musical acumen on his part.

[Keraulophone]

.
I only had RVW, Mitropoulos, Boult ('70s) and Handley, so was very pleased that the impressive Pappano landed in my porch this morning along with Chandos's reissue (on six surround sound hybrid SACDs) of their Richard Hickox/A.Davis cycle. It includes about an hour of broadcast interviews with Sir Adrian Boult and Sir John Barbirolli, and reminiscences from both Ursula Vaughan Williams and the composer himself.

The first recording of the longer 1913 version of the 'London' Symphony, was Gramopnone Recording of the Year in 2001. Without necessarily being 'first choices' in BaL-speak, the other symphonies also fare well in playing, interpretation and excellent recording quality, including 7 and 9, recorded in Bergen by Andrew Davis following Hickox's untimely death. Recommended.
.

[neiltingley]

.
I only had RVW, Mitropoulos, Boult ('70s) and Handley, so was very pleased that the impressive Pappano landed in my porch this morning along with Chandos's reissue (on six surround sound hybrid SACDs) of their Richard Hickox/A.Davis cycle. It includes about an hour of broadcast interviews with Sir Adrian Boult and Sir John Barbirolli, and reminiscences from both Ursula Vaughan Williams and the composer himself.

The first recording of the longer 1913 version of the 'London' Symphony, was Gramopnone Recording of the Year in 2001. Without necessarily being 'first choices' in BaL-speak, the other symphonies also fare well in playing, interpretation and excellent recording quality, including 7 and 9, recorded in Bergen by Andrew Davis following Hickox's untimely death. Recommended.
.

The 7th in that set is outstanding. The recording is stellar. You can hear the orchestration, and how extraordinary it is too. I rate the 7th as a great work. It's spooky, dark, brooding, powerful and ultimately very moving. Don't be put off by the fact he wrote the music for the film first. His decision to reshape it into a symphony is a triumph.

[richardfinegold]

The 7th in that set is outstanding. The recording is stellar. You can hear the orchestration, and how extraordinary it is too. I rate the 7th as a great work. It's spooky, dark, brooding, powerful and ultimately very moving. Don't be put off by the fact he wrote the music for the film first. His decision to reshape it into a symphony is a triumph.

The Seventh was my gateway to RVW (Haitink), and I rarely listen to it now because of sheer over familiarity.

[BBMmk2]

Yes I think he's totally wrong about Haitink in the 4th. He's rarely complimentary about Haitink, Horenstein or Rattle. Perhaps it is Britphobia. Life is too short to fret about it.

Sounds like a David Hurwitz remark! He normally makes remarks like that. I usually think, he may have a chip on his shoulder, re these conductors. (I couldn't find the original comment.)

Btw I don’t think Hurwitz is keen on Abbado, either! Or doesn’t like his recordings, very much.

[Bryn]

Sounds like a David Hurwitz remark! He normally makes remarks like that. I usually think, he may have a chip on his shoulder, re these conductors. (I couldn't find the original comment.)

Btw I don’t think Hurwitz is keen on Abbado, either! Or doesn’t like his recordings, very much.

I think that what he likes most is himself.

[BBMmk2]

I think that what he likes most is himself.

Indeed.

[Barbirollians]

Heavens - the Pappano is terrific .

[Barbirollians]

Heavens - the Pappano is terrific .

The Sixth is excellent too. Wonder if we will get more VW from him on this label.