BaL - 2.02.13: Walton's Symphony no. 1 in B flat minor

[pastoralguy]

Previn with the
LSO for me too. However, Sir Charles with the LPO does have fabulous timpani playing at the end of the 1st movement!

[Petrushka]

The 1966 LSO/Previn has managed to fight off all challengers for the past 47 years, an astonishing feat, and it would still be my top choice. I purchased the LPO/Slatkin adter a recommendation on the earlier thread a few weeks back and it is highly impressive. It would join RPO/Ashkenazy and LPO/Bryden Thomson as the modern recordings that get closest to the impact of the Previn.

[seabright]

Also shown on Amazon are these, though not listed in #1, so presumably they're not "currently available" in BAL parlance:

Adrian Leaper/Gran Canaria Philharmonic (Arte Nova)
Bryden Thomson/LPO (Chandos)
Jascha Horenstein/RPO (Intaglio)
Vernon Handley/RLPO (Resonance)
Herbert von Karajan/RAI Roma Orchestra (IMG Artists)

Am I right in thinking that this superb work has never been recorded by any of the great American orchestras (New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, etc.) or indeed any of the great European ones (Berlin Philharmonic, Concertgebouw, etc.)? If so, maybe it's yet another case of "English music doesn't travel." Still, George Szell made a terrific recording of Walton 2 in Cleveland, so it's a pity he didn't follow up with No. 1 as well!

[Bryn]

Beware the Karajan. He makes unauthorized cuts in the first movement, and there seems to be some tinkering with the orchestration too. Legge wanted Herbie to record the work with the Philharmonia but Walton rightly rejected HK's demands for re-writes, so that never came about.

The Horenstein can be found on YouTube.

[Pabmusic]

Ashkenazy/RPO on Decca is a good recording (maybe not currently available) that had good reviews.

[seabright]

Mention of You Tube led me there to find I was wrong about the Berlin Philharmonic! ... Semyon Bychkov did it with them and a video of their live performance is evidently available from the BPO's own website, or so a brief You Tube clip of the performance says.

Bychkov also conducted the work with the West German Radio Symphony and a complete performance of that is also on You Tube. Although I've only dipped into the 1st mvt. it sounds like another first-rate reading.

You Tube also yields up Horenstein complete, as stated above; Michael Seal, Associate Conductor of the CBSO in a broadcast of the work with them; and the Hamilton Harty premiere recording, in a transfer from the old 78s.

[seabright]

Ashkenazy/RPO on Decca is a good recording (maybe not currently available) that had good reviews.

That's another one you'll find on Amazon (both the Walton symphonies on one CD) but again, although you could readily buy a copy there by tapping a few keys, to BAL it isn't "currently available"!

[Mahler's3rd]

Just have the two
1. CBSO/Rattle, OK
2. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins On Hyperion, Fantastic

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Just have the two
1. CBSO/Rattle, OK
2. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins On Hyperion, Fantastic

I'd agree with your assessment of the Rattle, M3 - and what good is a merely "OK" performance of this explosive work?
I don't know the Brabbins, but much admire this conductor and would be delighted if he received the laurels - so would Ladbrooks! I have the Brabbins recording of the Second that was issued with a BBCMusMag some years ago - the best overall performance of the work I've heard (he makes the Finale fit in perfectly, whereas I've had problems with this movement in other performances) - the First Movement lacked the glow and shimmer of Mackerras'.

[Mahler's3rd]

Fair Play to Martyn Brabbins I think he champions the cause of the British Works as good as most along with Mark Elder & Edward Gardner, the performance of the 1st Is Electric

[Pabmusic]

...and the Hamilton Harty premiere recording, in a transfer from the old 78s.

I have this on CD from Dutton.

[seabright]

The Horenstein can be found on YouTube.

...

I've just been having a listen ... and very good it is too!

[salymap]

There should be a Malcolm Sargent recording somewhere. As someone said earlier,he was first rate with this symphony.

[Black Swan]

Ah... That's one not to miss! Trouble is, smart money would have to be on the Previn, I suppose.

What do we think of Martin Cotton, I can't remember...?

Also I wonder when Walton 1 last appeared on BAL. Have there been many new versions since then? Paul Daniel perhaps - I reckon it might be worth having a flutter on his excellent Naxos performance...

I too am looking forward to this as I only have the BBC Music Magazine recording by Tadaakii Otaka and teh bBC National Orchestra of Wales.

[gradus]

If I want hear this piece I put on the Walton conducted performance but I suppose the recording is getting on a bit now but I think its terrific. I've listened to the Previn/LSO and liked that too.