Vaughan Williams, Ralph (1872-1958)

[BBMmk2]

Can any Vaughan Williams/Barbirolli experts out there tell me whether these two CDs are identical in all respects, including the actual quality of the recording - thank you!
Halle/Barbirolli/Vaughan Williams 2nd and 8th symphonies: CDM 7 64197 2
do. Barbirolli Society CDSJB 1021

Barbs be the person form this!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Barbs be the person form this!

Absolutely - the recordings are of the same Pye/Nixa studio recordings from the late '50s (the Eighth from just a few months after these artists gave the World Premiere of the piece - with composer Arthur Butterworth playing Second Trumpet). I cannot find any online comparisons of the pressings/remasterings (if any) between the two "publishers" - but I have the EMI Phoenixa release and it is very good, indeed (a high spot in the RVW discography, IMO).

[Pulcinella]

Can any Vaughan Williams/Barbirolli experts out there tell me whether these two CDs are identical in all respects, including the actual quality of the recording - thank you!
Halle/Barbirolli/Vaughan Williams 2nd and 8th symphonies: CDM 7 64197 2
do. Barbirolli Society CDSJB 1021

The EMI release says Digitally remastered 1992, if that's any help.

Absolutely - the recordings are of the same Pye/Nixa studio recordings from the late '50s (the Eighth from just a few months after these artists gave the World Premiere of the piece - with composer Arthur Butterworth playing Second Trumpet). I cannot find any online comparisons of the pressings/remasterings (if any) between the two "publishers" - but I have the EMI Phoenixa release and it is very good, indeed (a high spot in the RVW discography, IMO).

[LMcD]

A powerfully expressive performance, first broadcast in 2017, of 'On Wenlock Edge' was the last item on today's Lunchtime Concert. Ben Johnson was accompanied by 6 members of the Nash Ensemble. The ending of 'On Bredon Hill' was particularly affecting. I've greatly enjoyed all 4 days of this series of chamber and vocal works by Bruch and his pupil.

[LMcD]

'Harnham Down' - a piece which I haven't heard, or indeed heard of, before is scheduled to be broadcast at 2.55 in today's 'Afternoon Concert'.

[Serial_Apologist]

'Harnham Down' - a piece which I haven't heard, or indeed heard of, before is scheduled to be broadcast at 2.55 in today's 'Afternoon Concert'.

One of the Three Impressions, I believe, composed between 1903 and 1907, in which context people here may have heard this work, since it was broadcast about a year go.

[Pulcinella]

It's not very often that a BBC MM review gives more information than a Gramophone one, but in their reviews of the latest RLPO/Manze offering (which both reviewers like, it being the Orchestral Choice for BBC MM and one of the
Editor's choice listings for Gramophone) the BBC one is more detailed in that it points out a noticeable acoustical difference between pieces recorded in different venues. It doesn't say why two different venues were used, though!

PS: Just discovered that The Friary (which is where everything other than The Lark Ascending was recorded, it being recorded in Philharmonic Hall) is an RLPO rehearsal and recording venue:

https://www.liverpoolphil.com/about-us/hire-our-spaces/liverpool-philharmonic-at-the-friary/

[Edgy 2]

One of the Three Impressions, I believe, composed between 1903 and 1907, in which context people here may have heard this work, since it was broadcast about a year go.

I was at Media City to hear the live broadcast back in Jan this year.
All three Impressions are included on a lovely Albion Music cd ‘The Solent’

[BBMmk2]

'Harnham Down' - a piece which I haven't heard, or indeed heard of, before is scheduled to be broadcast at 2.55 in today's 'Afternoon Concert'.

I heard that too. Rather enjoyable.

[Serial_Apologist]

I was at Media City to hear the live broadcast back in Jan this year.
All three Impressions are included on a lovely Albion Music cd ‘The Solent’

Yes, Edgy - thanks!

[LMcD]

The CDs which I bought yesterday at a newly reopened charity shop included Andre Previn's 'London' symphony on RCA. Recording quality and clarity, performance and pacing all excellent. It seems to be one of those works that brings out the best in performers, both in the concert hall and on disc. A bonus was that I didn't previously have a recording of either of the fillers - the Concerto Accademico and the overture to The Wasps.

[Mario]

Time to revive my interest in this composer.

I’m really trying to get to know not only the music of Vaughan Williams, but also the man himself.

Boy, did he know some influential people!

But anyway, Wiki says,

“From 1904 to 1906 he was music editor of a new hymn-book, The English Hymnal, of which he later said, ‘I now know that two years of close association with some of the best (as well as some of the worst) tunes in the world was a better musical education than any amount (sic) of sonatas and fugues’".

I wonder how that phrase sits with some of the more musically trained posters here. This is, I think, a great composer, so his advice may be useful perhaps?

Currently working hard at home on Grade 6 Music Theory, I have indeed wondered whether I should sit down with some simple piano sonatas (maybe very early Mozart, or Schubert piano works), and analyse chords and cadences? Maybe these would be as beneficial, or maybe more so? I knew a really good jazz pianist in London, who was highly regarded, and he confessed to me that he had never had one single musical lesson (practical or theory) in his life. I doubt that he was trying to impress me.

Any input will be very gratefully received! Currently getting to know his First Symphony with the RLPO Ch & O under V Handley.

Mario

[Serial_Apologist]

Time to revive my interest in this composer.

I’m really trying to get to know not only the music of Vaughan Williams, but also the man himself.

Boy, did he know some influential people!

But anyway, Wiki says,

“From 1904 to 1906 he was music editor of a new hymn-book, The English Hymnal, of which he later said, ‘I now know that two years of close association with some of the best (as well as some of the worst) tunes in the world was a better musical education than any amount (sic) of sonatas and fugues’".

I wonder how that phrase sits with some of the more musically trained posters here. This is, I think, a great composer, so his advice may be useful perhaps?

Currently working hard at home on Grade 6 Music Theory, I have indeed wondered whether I should sit down with some simple piano sonatas (maybe very early Mozart, or Schubert piano works), and analyse chords and cadences? Maybe these would be as beneficial, or maybe more so? I knew a really good jazz pianist in London, who was highly regarded, and he confessed to me that he had never had one single musical lesson (practical or theory) in his life. I doubt that he was trying to impress me.

Any input will be very gratefully received! Currently getting to know his First Symphony with the RLPO Ch & O under V Handley.

Mario

My guessing that would have been Stan Tracey!?

[cloughie]

Time to revive my interest in this composer.

I’m really trying to get to know not only the music of Vaughan Williams, but also the man himself.

Boy, did he know some influential people!

But anyway, Wiki says,

“From 1904 to 1906 he was music editor of a new hymn-book, The English Hymnal, of which he later said, ‘I now know that two years of close association with some of the best (as well as some of the worst) tunes in the world was a better musical education than any amount (sic) of sonatas and fugues’".

I wonder how that phrase sits with some of the more musically trained posters here. This is, I think, a great composer, so his advice may be useful perhaps?

Currently working hard at home on Grade 6 Music Theory, I have indeed wondered whether I should sit down with some simple piano sonatas (maybe very early Mozart, or Schubert piano works), and analyse chords and cadences? Maybe these would be as beneficial, or maybe more so? I knew a really good jazz pianist in London, who was highly regarded, and he confessed to me that he had never had one single musical lesson (practical or theory) in his life. I doubt that he was trying to impress me.

Any input will be very gratefully received! Currently getting to know his First Symphony with the RLPO Ch & O under V Handley.

Mario

Others may disagree but I’d skip No1 for now and in no particular order try 2, 3, 4, 5, Job and the Wasps Suite, then 6.

THEN you will be prepared for any RVW that comes in your direction!

[Serial_Apologist]

Others may disagree but I’d skip No1 for now and in no particular order try 2, 3, 4, 5, Job and the Wasps Suite, then 6.

While there are (for some people) problems of structure and idiomatic consistency structural problems with the Sea Symphony, which would be overcome by the time of the London, I would have to say from an overriding perspective it probably contains VW's most passionate music and was, I think, his most profound declaration of faith, in a mystical, "trackless path" rather than in any Christian religious sense.