Prom 33 (12.08.20) Vaughan Williams Symphonies 4, 5 & 6

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

At the 2012 season Andrew Manze tackled three very different, powerful symphonies by Vaughan Williams which, whatever their own emotional back-stories, may still be seen as chronicling our national life in troubled times. While he was Associate Guest Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Manze conducted all nine Vaughan Williams symphonies, commenting: "Vaughan Williams is one of those composers some people have fixed ideas about… I’m on a bit of a mission to rehabilitate him in people’s minds as an important figure in the music-making of this country".


Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 4 in F minor
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5 in D major
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 6 in E minor

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Manze (conductor)

(From BBC Proms 2012, 16 August)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I remember this being well received at the time. I also remember not liking yet another example of BBC saturation programming. In retrospect, hearing these works performed in the order in which they were composed does work, with number 5 providing such a contrast.

[Nick Armstrong]

I remember this being well received at the time. I also remember not liking yet another example of BBC saturation programming. In retrospect, hearing these works performed in the order in which they were composed does work, with number 5 providing such a contrast.

Yes it was one of the best evenings I’ve ever spent in the RAH and I’m looking forward to hearing it again

[LMcD]

Yes it was one of the best evenings I’ve ever spent in the RAH and I’m looking forward to hearing it again

I have recordings of Nos. 5 and 6 on my TV hard disc (video) and also Manze's outstanding, more recent, 2nd (audio).

[Nick Armstrong]

Manze's outstanding, more recent, 2nd (audio).

Was lucky enough to be there for that one too, sitting (thanks to chance returns) in a sonically-perfect spot up in the choir behind the orchestra. Magical.

[DracoM]

Even after a second or third hearing, that still has to be one of the most intense and riveting 6ths.

PS: is it my imagination, or has the BBC largely edited out the absurd between-movements applause that became fashionable - I don't mean in the 2012 RVW concert, but in others?

[edashtav]

Was lucky enough to be there for that one too, sitting (thanks to chance returns) in a sonically-perfect spot up in the choir behind the orchestra. Magical.

Encore une fois.