Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[Spotted Horses]

My point is that buying a CD box set, in this case the RVW Boult, isn't just about playing the CD back on the computer or stereo, it's about owning something that I feel is an important part of recorded history and that's important to me for sentimental reasons. The first time I heard Vaughan Williams, it was this Boult set. I had tears in my eyes from the listening experience, it changed me. I then read the liner notes and read as much as I could about the composer online. I looked at pictures of the composer, read his timeline, looked at his oeuvre, etc. I get an emotional response from not only the music itself, but I feel that I'm a part of something special by holding the box set in my hands and looking at photos of the composer or reading the liner notes in the booklet. This is what digital downloads or streaming can't emulate --- the tangible aspect of the physical product, but also the notion that you have a piece of recorded history at your fingertips. It's the same thing with people and books. Many readers prefer to hold a book in their hands. They could easily buy an e-book and read it on their tablet or whatever, but it's just not the same thing. I feel this way about buying CDs and box sets and I don't ever see this changing as long as I'm fortunate enough to have the collection I own right now.

If I seemed to denigrate your preferences for music format I apologize. I guess I can relate in a few instances. I do like having the DG Karajan 60s, 70s, 80s editions on my shelves because the original jackets reflect some of the first LPs I ever purchased back when I started collecting (the LPs are long gone). I keep them around even though I listen to the actual recordings via the FLAC files I ripped from them and I search through scanned images of the jackets when I want to find something. Similar considerations for a few favorite novels which I still have on the shelves, even though if I re-read them it is in kindle editions. If I had to restrict myself to physical media I would have to severely restrict my reading and listening choices, so I learned I had no choice but the leave sentimental considerations behind.

[vandermolen]

My point is that buying a CD box set, in this case the RVW Boult, isn't just about playing the CD back on the computer or stereo, it's about owning something that I feel is an important part of recorded history and that's important to me for sentimental reasons. The first time I heard Vaughan Williams, it was this Boult set. I had tears in my eyes from the listening experience, it changed me. I then read the liner notes and read as much as I could about the composer online. I looked at pictures of the composer, read his timeline, looked at his oeuvre, etc. I get an emotional response from not only the music itself, but I feel that I'm a part of something special by holding the box set in my hands and looking at photos of the composer or reading the liner notes in the booklet. This is what digital downloads or streaming can't emulate --- the tangible aspect of the physical product, but also the notion that you have a piece of recorded history at your fingertips. It's the same thing with people and books. Many readers prefer to hold a book in their hands. They could easily buy an e-book and read it on their tablet or whatever, but it's just not the same thing. I feel this way about buying CDs and box sets and I don't ever see this changing as long as I'm fortunate enough to have the collection I own right now.

This is very much my experience as well.

[Mirror Image]

Here are a few of my favourite VW recordings:
A big plug here for the beautiful 'Epithalamion'.

All wonderful recordings, Jeffrey. I know and have heard them all. I think I still prefer the 1920 version of A London Symphony, but this Hickox is quite good (probably his best RVW symphony recording truth be told). Epithalamion is a work that just doesn't get discussed that much and I think this is quite a shame. I'd love to hear a new recording of it.

[Mirror Image]

If I seemed to denigrate your preferences for music format I apologize. I guess I can relate in a few instances. I do like having the DG Karajan 60s, 70s, 80s editions on my shelves because the original jackets reflect some of the first LPs I ever purchased back when I started collecting (the LPs are long gone). I keep them around even though I listen to the actual recordings via the FLAC files I ripped from them and I search through scanned images of the jackets when I want to find something. Similar considerations for a few favorite novels which I still have on the shelves, even though if I re-read them it is in kindle editions. If I had to restrict myself to physical media I would have to severely restrict my reading and listening choices, so I learned I had no choice but the leave sentimental considerations behind.

Those Karajan box sets look great! Oh and don't worry about it, Arthur. We all have our own preferences and reasons for doing the things we do. Many people probably think I'm insane for buying CDs, but that's okay. In reality, I probably should've stopped buying CDs around 2015 as I believe this was when I had collected the bulk of my current classical collection. I understand the reasons to why you and so many others prefer digital downloads and streaming. Many people live in apartments, condos, etc. or have families where they simply don't have the space for a CD collection or in many cases even a book collection. The majority of my CDs and box sets are in storage boxes down in our basement. At some point, with help, I'm going to get around to cleaning out the basement and have shelves built that will house my entire CD/DVD/Blu-Ray collections. Every time I attempt doing this, I end up quitting because it's such a major undertaking.

[Mirror Image]

Yup - what you've written could be me exactly!  Rationally I know that the "data" might be the same from a CD or a high res download/stream but give me physical product every time.  Also, I just love old books and sheet music.  I get a buzz just holding them - of course the content can be easily sourced via a tablet or online but my emotional response is almost zero then.  But each to their own and if it brings you happiness - good for you.

It looks like you, Jeffrey and I are brothers from different mothers.

[Mirror Image]

Ian Partridge sings the VERY short tenor solo on the recording of Sancta Civitas that was one of your 5 chosen discs above.  I only ever worked with him once - quite late in his career.  He was singing The Evangelist in the St. John - absolutely gorgeous - expressive and unforced.  Actually if you ever see his name on anything you can be pretty sure it will be good!  I think he is on those old Baccholian Singers recordings of Holst part songs etc.  His Warlock "The Curlew" is exceptionally fine too.  One of his lesser known recordings but he has an ideal voice for the work is his Britten Serenade for Tenor Horn and Strings.  This is a great version with the wonderful Nicholas Busch on horn.  Its hidden on this (unpromising looking) pair of discs;



currently on UK Amazon for 95p!! (+P&P)

Thanks for the recommendation, RS. I'll have to look into this 2-CD set. It shouldn't be too difficult to find. That is an interesting anecdote about you working with Ian Partridge.

[Roasted Swan]

It looks like you, Jeffrey and I are brothers from different mothers.

Clearly separated at birth (which is a bit odd given that I think I am decades older than you!!!)

[Mirror Image]

Clearly separated at birth (which is a bit odd given that I think I am decades older than you!!!)

Yeah, I'm youngster --- only 40 yrs. old. My soul, however, belongs to an older generation for sure.

[LKB]

Yeah, I'm youngster --- only 40 yrs. old. My soul, however, belongs to an older generation for sure.

40? Hell, I'd give everything Todd owns to be 40 again... 

[Mirror Image]

40? Hell, I'd give everything Todd owns to be 40 again... 

[Karl Henning]

40? Hell, I'd give everything Todd owns to be 40 again... 

(* chortle *)

[DavidW]

MI, Boult is my favorite set.  You'll have to let us know if this new remaster really does have better SQ.  I will buy it if it does, else I won't.

btw in defense of ebooks last year I reread Count of Monte Cristo and it was so thick and heavy that it physically hurt to read.  I switched to ebook and then started flying through the book.  Also, until I got progressive lenses the adjustable font size also kept me reading.

[Mirror Image]

MI, Boult is my favorite set.  You'll have to let us know if this new remaster really does have better SQ.  I will buy it if it does, else I won't.

btw in defense of ebooks last year I reread Count of Monte Cristo and it was so thick and heavy that it physically hurt to read.  I switched to ebook and then started flying through the book.  Also, until I got progressive lenses the adjustable font size also kept me reading.

I'll definitely let you and everyone else know for sure, Dave. That's a fair point about those heavy-duty literary works that over a thousand pages long.

[DavidW]

I'll definitely let you and everyone else know for sure, Dave. That's a fair point about those heavy-duty literary works that over a thousand pages long.

I used to have a hardback edition of War and Peace that split it into three easy to hold volumes.  You rarely find that with those big chunkers!  Which is too bad.

[Mirror Image]

I used to have a hardback edition of War and Peace that split it into three easy to hold volumes.  You rarely find that with those big chunkers!  Which is too bad.

Oh yes, indeed. That would be a lot of easier to hold.

[vandermolen]

It looks like you, Jeffrey and I are brothers from different mothers.

Haha - Indeed   

[Irons]

Haha - Indeed   

There is a joke there somewhere I am sure.

[vandermolen]

Review of the Goossens version of A London Symphony (1920). It first alerted me to the wonderful music which the composer excised in 1936.
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2022/Jun/Goossens-v1-PASC654.htm

[Roasted Swan]

Review of the Goossens version of A London Symphony (1920). It first alerted me to the wonderful music which the composer excised in 1936.
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2022/Jun/Goossens-v1-PASC654.htm

One of my sheet music/scores Holy Grails is to find a copy of the 1920 Carnegie Collection score of A London Symphony



Frustratingly Stainer and Bell who took over the physical publication of this score for the final revision used the same Carnegie cover but with a little printed amendation in the top right corner saying "1934 revision" (or whatever the date was....)

On a tangent this collection of published pieces was perceived as being of the finest music but much of it is now forgotten.  For an enterprising recording company that might be a good project (well, you can but dream....)



there's a Harry Farjeon big choral mass I can't find an image of here which looks fascinating too ......

[vandermolen]

One of my sheet music/scores Holy Grails is to find a copy of the 1920 Carnegie Collection score of A London Symphony



Frustratingly Stainer and Bell who took over the physical publication of this score for the final revision used the same Carnegie cover but with a little printed amendation in the top right corner saying "1934 revision" (or whatever the date was....)

On a tangent this collection of published pieces was perceived as being of the finest music but much of it is now forgotten.  For an enterprising recording company that might be a good project (well, you can but dream....)



there's a Harry Farjeon big choral mass I can't find an image of here which looks fascinating too ......

Signed by the composer! That's most impressive.