BaL 9.07.22 - Walton: Symphony no. 1

[mahlerfan]

It's a pity that the Colin Davis/LSO is recorded at such a low voltage as I remember the R3 broadcast being fine. However, I recall a 1977 performance from Sir Colin and the BBCSO that was terrific (as heard on R3). The same goes for a knockout performance from the 1982 Proms with James Loughran, again with the BBCSO (also heard on R3).

It seems to me to be one of those pieces that benefits from being heard live.

Well, you may have a point.

I too have attended at least one Colin Davis. Memory says perfectly ok. But I don't rate the LSO Live release...

But some 'lower-voltage' performances such as Mackerras and Handley bring out some of the best from the score. As per my post #3, I think Slatkin is an electric performance with excellent percussion and brass. The loved Andrew Preview doesn't quite cut it for me, but I'm not strictly a Brit!

Vlad is a dark horse - I'd be surprised if the broadcast gives it much consideration. Fabulous sound quality.

[Petrushka]

Well, you may have a point.

I too have attended at least one Colin Davis. Memory says perfectly ok. But I don't rate the LSO Live release...

But some 'lower-voltage' performances such as Mackerras and Handley bring out some of the best from the score. As per my post #3, I think Slatkin is an electric performance with excellent percussion and brass. The loved Andrew Preview doesn't quite cut it for me, but I'm not strictly a Brit!

Vlad is a dark horse - I'd be surprised if the broadcast gives it much consideration. Fabulous sound quality.

The 1966 LSO/Previn does now sound its age but, paradoxically, the sound does help give the performance that edginess. Slatkin and Ashkenazy have long been my second choices while Bryden Thomson (LPO, Chandos, nla?) is up there with them. I've not heard the Mackerras and must make amends.

[Wolfram]

Is Sir Simon's recording out of the catalogue?

Seems that it is currently out of the catalogue. That's a pity; I'm sure it would have been a contender if it had been available. It came coupled with an excellent Belshazzar.

[mahlerfan]

The 1966 LSO/Previn does now sound its age but, paradoxically, the sound does help give the performance that edginess. Slatkin and Ashkenazy have long been my second choices while Bryden Thomson (LPO, Chandos, nla?) is up there with them. I've not heard the Mackerras and must make amends.

Blimey, 1966? Older than I realised - thought it was from the 1970s.

I don't think I've got the Bryden Thomson - I looked and on looking, I found I also have the Rattle in addition to my list in post #3!

Mackerras is a very good performance, IMO. Perhaps not as 'muscular' as is the expectation in this work in the first movement, but a beautifully realised performance through all movements. He was a very special musician who doesn't quite get the credit he deserves outside of his Czech and Mozart recordings.....

[mahlerfan]

Seems that it is currently out of the catalogue. That's a pity; I'm sure it would have been a contender if it had been available. It came coupled with an excellent Belshazzar.

Just realised I have that CD (while looking for the Bryden Thomson CD). I remember I bought it for the Belshazzar, not the symphony. Great disc.

[richardfinegold]

Just realised I have that CD (while looking for the Bryden Thomson CD). I remember I bought it for the Belshazzar, not the symphony. Great disc.

Thomson interests me as a Conductor

[mahlerfan]

Thomson interests me as a Conductor

Me too. Very much.....

[Pulcinella]

Ten commercial recordings here of a work I first encountered in 1969 at the tender and impressionable age of 17 (coincidentally in the same week that I first heard the Missa Solemnis, the BaL subject for the week before this one, live as part of The Three Choirs Festival), in a listening booth in a record shop in Worcester: I think it must have been the Pye/Nixa Boult version.

ENP/Daniel
LSO/Davis
PO/Haitink
Bournemouth SO/Handley
Bournemouth SO/Litton
LPO/Mackerras
LSO/Previn
CBSO/Rattle
LPO/Slatkin
PO/Walton

I also have two BBC MM issues.
BBCNOW/Otaka (1993 Prom)
BBCSO/Boult (1975 RFH)

The Previn is indeed special, but there's lots to admire in several of the others, though I sometimes crave for more malice in the second movement.

[Petrushka]

Ten commercial recordings here of a work I first encountered in 1969 at the tender and impressionable age of 17 (coincidentally in the same week that I first heard the Missa Solemnis, the BaL subject for the week before this one, live as part of The Three Choirs Festival), in a listening booth in a record shop in Worcester: I think it must have been the Pye/Nixa Boult version.

ENP/Daniel
LSO/Davis
PO/Haitink
Bournemouth SO/Handley
Bournemouth SO/Litton
LPO/Mackerras
LSO/Previn
CBSO/Rattle
LPO/Slatkin
PO/Walton

I also have two BBC MM issues.
BBCNOW/Otaka (1993 Prom)
BBCSO/Boult (1975 RFH)

The Previn is indeed special, but there's lots to admire in several of the others, though I sometimes crave for more malice in the second movement.

I'd recommend a listen to RPO/Ashkenazy which is missing from your list, most of which I also have. It's the closest to the classic Previn I've heard and it's in far better sound.

[Pulcinella]

I'd recommend a listen to RPO/Ashkenazy which is missing from your list, most of which I also have. It's the closest to the classic Previn I've heard and it's in far better sound.

I'll see if I can stream it; thanks!

[Barbirollians]

I'll see if I can stream it; thanks!

Surprised the terrific Hamilton Harty pioneering recording is out of the catalogue.

LSO/Previn for me too. Sargent deserves a favourable mention though.

[mahlerfan]

Just found 2 more on my shelves - Otaka and Sargent

[Pulcinella]

I'd recommend a listen to RPO/Ashkenazy which is missing from your list, most of which I also have. It's the closest to the classic Previn I've heard and it's in far better sound.

Found and streamed (S2 still streaming); one of the best final movements I can recall, but I still want more malice (aforethought?) in the second.
Good sound though, as you say.
Thanks for the steer.

[makropulos]

Very glad to see Slatkin getting the praise he deserves here –his is a terrific Walton 1. Others I have and rate highly include:

Boult LPO (FSM)
Boult BBCSO (Carlton)
Daniel (Naxos)
Gibson (Chandos)
Haitink (EMI)
Harty (Decca/Dutton, very special and important)
Karabits (Onyx)
Litton (Decca – under-rated? I like it a lot)
Mackerras (Eminence)
Previn LSO (RCA)
Previn RPO (Telarc)
Walton himself (EMI, mono)

I also have a live (unpublished) Mackerras/Chicago SO performance from 1978 which is pretty stunning, as might be expected.

Of these, I hope it doesn't sound contrary to say that Previn/LSO is not the one I reach for first...good as it is.

Ones I've had but not kept: Handley, Thomson, Ashkenazy, Colin Davis, Frémaux, Rattle. Gardner, Brabbins and Sargent. Of these, for me the last two are actual duds (one sleepy, the other lumpy), Rattle seems to hang fire and Davis is weirdly recorded and ultimately disappointing. To my ears, the others don't quite have the character or energy of the best, but that's always going to be a personal reaction (clearly Ashkenazy has his supporters, but his Walton doesn't grab me as it clearly does others here).

[Barbirollians]

Surprised the terrific Hamilton Harty pioneering recording is out of the catalogue.

LSO/Previn for me too. Sargent deserves a favourable mention though.

As does Boult judging by the performance on First Hand records . It is depressing that Harty is out of the catalogue .