Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[Roasted Swan]

I was looking to get the full score of London Symphony (1920 version) but can't afford what it was going for right now.  To my surprise, I discovered I already owned it as the dover score is the 1920 version.  When does that ever happen where the object you desire is already in your possession?

Thanks again for this info - I picked up an "as new" 2nd hand copy and its lovely - so pleased to have this 1920 edition!

[LKB]

Slightly more OT,

As l was commencing my normal routine at work last night the Sea Symphony whispered itself, and l happily made room in my consciousness for the next half hour or so, thinking through the last three movements in turn.

Then it was time for email, computer tasks and all of the rest of the job.... but those first thirty minutes were really nice.

[calyptorhynchus]

I was looking to get the full score of London Symphony (1920 version) but can't afford what it was going for right now.  To my surprise, I discovered I already owned it as the dover score is the 1920 version.  When does that ever happen where the object you desire is already in your possession?

A couple of times I have hit buy on a download, only to realise that I had already bought it. 

[Luke]

I bought the Blomstedt box set of Nielsen symphonies, concertos etc the other day, on the strength of what someone was saying about it here. I already have it. 

[DavidW]

I bought the Blomstedt box set of Nielsen symphonies, concertos etc the other day, on the strength of what someone was saying about it here. I already have it. 

Haha that feels like a cdcdcdcd post!

[Roasted Swan]

A new Albion release;



Beautifully presented disc which includes the 1st ever recordings of the Concerto Accademico & Violin Sonata and just the 2nd (of thousands!!!!) of the Lark Ascending.  Grinke was the dedicatee and first performer of Jeffrey's much-admired RVW Sonata - the only work he so titled - and this is a tremendous performance - fiery and no holds barred.  Something I didn't know; Grinke suggested to RVW that the scale of the work and difficulty of the solo part suggested a concerto perhaps rather than a sonata but RVW was unmoved.  Perhaps something for Martin Yates to consider....??  Much like Christopher Palmer did so well with the Walton Violin Sonata for Chandos.

PS:  The Benjamin Sonatina is a cracking little work too.

[vandermolen]

A new Albion release;



Beautifully presented disc which includes the 1st ever recordings of the Concerto Accademico & Violin Sonata and just the 2nd (of thousands!!!!) of the Lark Ascending.  Grinke was the dedicatee and first performer of Jeffrey's much-admired RVW Sonata - the only work he so titled - and this is a tremendous performance - fiery and no holds barred.  Something I didn't know; Grinke suggested to RVW that the scale of the work and difficulty of the solo part suggested a concerto perhaps rather than a sonata but RVW was unmoved.  Perhaps something for Martin Yates to consider....??  Much like Christopher Palmer did so well with the Walton Violin Sonata for Chandos.

PS:  The Benjamin Sonatina is a cracking little work too.

Very good to hear this! I ordered this CD when it was first announced but it's still in its cellophane by the CD player. I must play it very soon. 

[Roasted Swan]

Very good to hear this! I ordered this CD when it was first announced but it's still in its cellophane by the CD player. I must play it very soon. 

Hope you enjoy it - do report back!  Another thing I gleaned from the excellent liner - nearly every other version of the sonata is significantly slower than Grinke.  The liner writer suggests that this might be because a) it very hard at "full speed"(!) and b) an attempt - concious or otherwise - to "smooth out" the angularity of the work.  I thought this interpretation was very convincing - perhaps I prefer Bean's slower more 'mystical' finale.

[vandermolen]

Hope you enjoy it - do report back!  Another thing I gleaned from the excellent liner - nearlt every other version of the sonata is significantly slower than Grinke.  The liner writer suggests that this might be because a) it very hard at "full speed"(!) and b) an ateempt - concious or otherwise - to "smooth out" the angularity of the work.  I thought this interpretation was very convincing - perhaps I prefer Bean's slower more 'mystical' finale.

This is indeed a fabulous CD and I have thoroughly enjoyed every work on it. I was delighted to find a 'new' work by VW until I realised that I was listening to the (very good) Sonata by Arthur Benjamin (who wrote a very fine Symphony). I found the central movement of the Concerto Accademico to be especially moving and the ubiquitous Lark was also more moving for being presented in a somewhat understated way, rather than being given the usual sentimental/Romantic treatment. The Hymn Tune Prelude was lovely and, as with the Lark, my old friend the late, craggy Violin Sonata (taken quite fast) was most affecting. This is one of my favourite of the Albion VW releases (v.detailed notes and a great cover photo with the composer, in his raincoat, conducting Frederick Grinke).

[Roasted Swan]

This is indeed a fabulous CD and I have thoroughly enjoyed every work on it. I was delighted to find a 'new' work by VW until I realised that I was listening to the (very good) Sonata by Arthur Benjamin (who wrote a very fine Symphony). I found the central movement of the Concerto Accademico to be especially moving and the ubiquitous Lark was also more moving for being presented in a somewhat understated way, rather than being given the usual sentimental/Romantic treatment. The Hymn Tune Prelude was lovely and, as with the Lark, my old friend the late, craggy Violin Sonata (taken quite fast) was most affecting. This is one of my favourite of the Albion VW releases (v.detailed notes and a great cover photo with the composer, in his raincoat, conducting Frederick Grinke).

I agree with everything you say.  The Benjamin is quite a find for sure.  Not that it should be a find since its on a Hyperion disc I have along with the Benjamin Violin Sonata but the Sonatina made a significantly greater impact with Grinke.  As you say the Lark works well for an unsentimental approach - by timing alone its one of the quicker performances although "flowing" rather than "quick" is a better term.  I think the fact that it was only the 2nd recording helps in the sense that it has now become so ubiquitous and is burdened with this perception of being a work of dewy-eyed pastoralism.  The presentation/booklet is 1st class.  The sort of thing that makes the listening experience all the more immersive and rewarding.

[vandermolen]

I agree with everything you say.  The Benjamin is quite a find for sure.  Not that it should be a find since its on a Hyperion disc I have along with the Benjamin Violin Sonata but the Sonatina made a significantly greater impact with Grinke.  As you say the Lark works well for an unsentimental approach - by timing alone its one of the quicker performances although "flowing" rather than "quick" is a better term.  I think the fact that it was only the 2nd recording helps in the sense that it has now become so ubiquitous and is burdened with this perception of being a work of dewy-eyed pastoralism.  The presentation/booklet is 1st class.  The sort of thing that makes the listening experience all the more immersive and rewarding.

Thanks. I note that it's the Sonatina not Sonata by Benjamin. The Lark can drag a bit sometimes but not on this disc. I've already played the CD through twice with much pleasure. I was also struck by how good the recording quality was for the VW Violin Sonata.