Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[calyptorhynchus]

Not sure about the Manze 9th. Normally I am a sucker for slower tempi, but here it makes the whole symphony seem plodding. I think Thompson is still on the right track.

[Irons]

No good to me as I wouldn't know where to start but may be of interest to more clued up forum members. CRQ Editions have issued as a download only Pierre Monteux conducting the LSO in Vaughan Williams "London" Symphony. A BBC live recording from the RFH on 24th September 1962. The tape was derived from the collection of the late film director Ken Russell.

[vandermolen]

No good to me as I wouldn't know where to start but may be of interest to more clued up forum members. CRQ Editions have issued as a download only Pierre Monteux conducting the LSO in Vaughan Williams "London" Symphony. A BBC live recording from the RFH on 24th September 1962. The tape was derived from the collection of the late film director Ken Russell.

That's interesting. Pristine Audio issued an interesting CD of the 1958 premiere of Symphony 9 (Sargent - not as bad as everyone says IMO) coupled with a wartime recording of A London Symphony condected by Mitropolous - complete with 'chimes of Big Ben' making an extraneous reappearance at the very end of the symphony!

[Irons]

That's interesting. Pristine Audio issued an interesting CD of the 1958 premiere of Symphony 9 (Sargent - not as bad as everyone says IMO) coupled with a wartime recording of A London Symphony condected by Mitropolous - complete with 'chimes of Big Ben' making an extraneous reappearance at the very end of the symphony!

The world and it's dog take delight at a well aimed kick at poor old Sargent. I buy his recordings out of sympathy.

I have come across a commercial RVW recording by Mitropolous - think it may be the 4th, but not sure - have you heard it Jeffrey?

[aukhawk]

Mitropolous/NYPO released Tallis Fantasia coupled with Schoenberg Verklarte Nacht in July 1958 - one of the very earliest stereo classical LPs (Columbia label).  I listened to the Schoenberg only the other day and it sounds very fine.

[vandermolen]

The world and it's dog take delight at a well aimed kick at poor old Sargent. I buy his recordings out of sympathy.

I have come across a commercial RVW recording by Mitropolous - think it may be the 4th, but not sure - have you heard it Jeffrey?

Yes, sure Lol. Here it is (with the Tallis Fantasia):
I think it's an excellent recording and prefer it to the composer's own version. VW apparently thought highly of the Mitropolous performance as well.

[Irons]

Yes, sure Lol. Here it is (with the Tallis Fantasia):
I think it's an excellent recording and prefer it to the composer's own version. VW apparently thought highly of the Mitropolous performance as well.

Thanks Jeffrey. I will invest.

[vandermolen]

Thanks Jeffrey. I will invest.

I like the Stokowski Symphony 6 (premiere recording) as well. Here it is again with the more recent cover:

[Biffo]

The world and it's dog take delight at a well aimed kick at poor old Sargent. I buy his recordings out of sympathy.

I have come across a commercial RVW recording by Mitropolous - think it may be the 4th, but not sure - have you heard it Jeffrey?

Yesterday I played the pristine Audio recording of the 9th and found it fine.

RVW heard the premiere but I can't find any comment on his part, good or bad. The sources I consulted, principally Michael Kennedy, concentrate on the critical response to the work and I couldn't find any mention made of Sargent's contribution.

Another recent posting suggested RVW didn't feature greatly in Sargent's repertoire. Apparently, Sargent was 'half-promised' the premiere of the 4th Symphony but it went to Boult instead; perhaps frostiness ensued.

I am intrigued by RVW's suggestion to Boult that he could conduct the Finale slower if he found the ending came too slowly. Was he pulling Boult's leg? I suppose without more context we will never know.

[Roasted Swan]

I like the Stokowski Symphony 6 (premiere recording) as well. Here it is again with the more recent cover:

I listened to this version of No.6 yesterday - proves what a tricky piece this is - especially when first encountered.  The NYPO playing is pretty ropey - very scrappy string playing in the scherzo.  Perhaps the orchestra was still suffering from the aftermath of the War?  From memory the Boult recording which also uses the original/unrevised version of the scherzo is better played.

[Biffo]

I listened to this version of No.6 yesterday - proves what a tricky piece this is - especially when first encountered.  The NYPO playing is pretty ropey - very scrappy string playing in the scherzo.  Perhaps the orchestra was still suffering from the aftermath of the War?  From memory the Boult recording which also uses the original/unrevised version of the scherzo is better played.

Boult's 1949/50 version of No 6 is my favourite, no problems with the playing of the LSO that I recall - the Dutton release has both versions of the Scherzo

[Irons]

Boult's 1949/50 version of No 6 is my favourite, no problems with the playing of the LSO that I recall - the Dutton release has both versions of the Scherzo

You are not the first to say that. HMV Treasury on LP also included both versions of the Scherzo. Not my favourite work by RVW but also included the best version of "The Lark Ascending" I have heard, played by Jean Pougnet.

[vandermolen]

You are not the first to say that. HMV Treasury on LP also included both versions of the Scherzo. Not my favourite work by RVW but also included the best version of "The Lark Ascending" I have heard, played by Jean Pougnet.

Yes, that and the Hugh Bean recording are my favourite versions of The Lark Ascending. Turning on the car radio earlier today I heard a very engaging piece sounding rather like VW but I couldn't place it. In my head I was guessing whether it was by Grace Williams. It turned out to be VW's 'Bluebird' which I own on CD. 

This is my favourite version of Symphony 6 and probably the most influential recording that I bought in relation to the effect that it had on my 17 year old self:

[Irons]

Yes, that and the Hugh Bean recording are my favourite versions of The Lark Ascending. Turning on the car radio earlier today I heard a very engaging piece sounding rather like VW but I couldn't place it. In my head I was guessing whether it was by Grace Williams. It turned out to be VW's 'Bluebird' which I own on CD. 

This is my favourite version of Symphony 6 and probably the most influential recording that I bought in relation to the effect that it had on my 17 year old self:

I have not heard of "Bluebird". Must investigate.

I agree with you Jeffrey on the best version of the 6th although the stereo EMI is no slouch by any means. I am surprised to discover that the Decca recorded in December 1953 and the mono EMI only four years previously in 1949. I view the EMI (Douglas Larter, balance engineer) as a historical recording where as the former (Kenneth Wilkinson) holds its own and surpasses many for sound when compared with modern recordings.

[Roasted Swan]

I have not heard of "Bluebird". Must investigate.

Check BBC iplayer - Radio 3 - the BBC Concert Orchestra/Martin Yates English Music Festival - still available for roughly 4 weeks - includes both the premiere live performance of the Bluebird and Robin Milford's 2nd Symphony......

[Irons]

Check BBC iplayer - Radio 3 - the BBC Concert Orchestra/Martin Yates English Music Festival - still available for roughly 4 weeks - includes both the premiere live performance of the Bluebird and Robin Milford's 2nd Symphony......

Thanks, I will do that.

Talking of obscure RVW I am most impressed with "The Lakes in the Mountains". A piece for solo piano (a rarity in itself) from a excellent disc of chamber music by The Nash Ensemble on Hyperion.

[vandermolen]

Thanks, I will do that.

Talking of obscure RVW I am most impressed with "The Lakes in the Mountains". A piece for solo piano (a rarity in itself) from a excellent disc of chamber music by The Nash Ensemble on Hyperion.

Me too Lol. I think that it originated in a film score. I like that Hyperion CD very much.

[calyptorhynchus]

Although the music for the Blue Bird is described as a premiere performance, it has already been released on Dutton.

[vandermolen]

Although the music for the Blue Bird is described as a premiere performance, it has already been released on Dutton.

I thought that the Dutton was the only recording. Is there another one?

[Christo]

I thought that the Dutton was the only recording. Is there another one?

I guess the BBC is claiming that this is the 'public premiere'; the Dutton CD has a studio performance from Glasgow, August 2017, with the Royal Scots under the same conductor. I played it often, over the last months: