BaL 8.02.14 - Vaughan Williams Symphony no. 9

[BBMmk2]

I don't think that, even in the late '50s, any single critic (and certainly not a "young" one) would've had the clout to turn an entire corpus of appreciation on its head, Bbm. Wasn't it more the lukewarm response from older critics who had been enthusiastic about RVW's earlier works that set the general response?

This isn't all that remarkable: the Ninth is a work whose subtle masteries cannot be immediately assimilated (especially if the only performance they had to build their response upon was one which didn't reveal those masteries completely) - critics with memories of the premiere of the Sixth (as well as the accumulation of insights into that work since its first performance) were bound to regard the Ninth as suggesting the composer's waning powers in these circumstances.

Yes, that's it, Ferney! thank you for calling that up. The 8th is certainly different to what had gone before and to think that age, composing a symphony that was again, something new to say! Always changing, RVW, right till the end.

[visualnickmos]

I'd be happy for BaL to occupy an hour each week (with Interpretations on Record every Sunday afternoon, of course )

I agree. Gets my vote.....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

If you haven't tuned in you're missing a treat.

[PJPJ]

I'd be happy for BaL to occupy an hour each week (with Interpretations on Record every Sunday afternoon, of course )

And so would I.

[Thropplenoggin]

If you haven't tuned in you're missing a treat.

I'm no fan of VW's symphonies, but lovely to hear the dulcet tones of Swain (so perfect for TTN) used somewhere else. He and John Shea are two of my favourite R3 presenters - understated presentation, they make each word count, rather than waxing lyrical (often nonsensical) about the music like so many daytime presenters.

Swain's analysis has been excellent, enriched with poetic language ('the wind sighing among the stones' IIRC), insight (the Hardy/Tess section) and humour ('the xylophone player losing the plot'). He really knows the score and all its mood markings. Top marks.

[Phileas]

Swain and John Shea are two of my favourite R3 presenters - understated presentation, they make each word count, rather than waxing lyrical (often nonsensical) about the music like so many daytime presenters.

+1

[Barbirollians]

Exemplary as always from Jonathan Swain.- liked the Boult extracts best although the Handley was very fine too .Thought he was a tad harsh on previn.

Time to get that big VW boult box before Warner delete it.

[edashtav]

Swain's analysis has been excellent, enriched with poetic language ('the wind sighing among the stones' IIRC), insight (the Hardy/Tess section) and humour ('the xylophone player losing the plot'). He really knows the score and all its mood markings. Top marks.

So, it was Vernon Handley and the RLPO by a short head. I sense that the definitive RVW 9th has yet to be recorded. Will it be Andrew Manze's ?

[Bryn]

If anyone is looking for the Andrew Davis recording which member Swain wished he had been able to consider, there's one currently up for auction on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vaughan-Williams-SYMPHONY-No-9-Parry-ELEGY-FOR-BRAHMS-cd-/360852129709?

I will be spinning my copy during the drive to work later this morning.

[soileduk]

If anyone is looking for the Andrew Davis recording which member Swain wished he had been able to consider, there's one currently up for auction on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vaughan-Williams-SYMPHONY-No-9-Parry-ELEGY-FOR-BRAHMS-cd-/360852129709?

I will be spinning my copy during the drive to work later this morning.

That's the blighter! I knew I had it. The BBC music magazine disc of the Andrew Davis recording of the Tallis fantasia is worth looking into too.

[Roehre]

....lovely to hear the dulcet tones of Swain (so perfect for TTN) used somewhere else. He and John Shea are two of my favourite R3 presenters - understated presentation, they make each word count, rather than waxing lyrical (often nonsensical) about the music like so many daytime presenters.

Swain's analysis has been excellent, enriched with poetic language ('the wind sighing among the stones' IIRC), insight (the Hardy/Tess section) and humour ('the xylophone player losing the plot'). He really knows the score and all its mood markings. Top marks.

[HighlandDougie]

Swain's analysis has been excellent, enriched with poetic language ('the wind sighing among the stones' IIRC), insight (the Hardy/Tess section) and humour ('the xylophone player losing the plot'). He really knows the score and all its mood markings. Top marks.

And no bloody whistling this week - or wearing one's learning very heavily indeed. Sorry but I find DON teeth-grindingly irritating - the expression "smackable" comes to mind - unlike JS, who had me immediately go and play the symphony.

[FoxyTheCat]

An excellent BAL from Jonathan Swain and his recommendation of Handley with the RLPO was a safe one fot those new to this work.

I think the Haitink/LPO has better sound and an almost Brucknerian grandeur. Although he dismissed Previn's LSO account
suggesting that the conductor was bewildered by the last movement I think it needs serious consideration it's by far the longest
a brooding, mysterious landscape and a powerful ending.

I would agree that a definitive account of this symphony has yet to be recorded. Andrew Davis live performance at the 2008 Proms
was IMHO the best so far but the CD of it that came with BBC Music magazine was not considered. Davis is conducting the symphony with
the BBC Philharmonic this year so maybe a recording with Chandos?

Barbirolli did conduct the symphony in the Halle's 1959 season.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

It would make a lot of sense if Chandos or Onyx or somebody licensed the Proms recording.

In fact I will have a chat to an industry contact and suggest it.

[EdgeleyRob]

Stonking hours worth of radio.
The bookies favourite probably was the winner.
If I could only have one it would be Boult '58,I can hear the Saxophones,but then again I do know they're there.