Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[Roasted Swan]

Yes, I agree although Elder's 'A Pastoral Symphony' was excellent as was 'Job'.

I agree the Pastoral is one of Elder's best but let down for me by a soprano who forces not floats her solos.  This should surely sound ethereal not operatically intense!  But my point was the Brabbins cycle - albeit still incomplete.  I haven't heard any of the Manze as I have a wholly illogical and unsupported indifference to his work (I still harbour an irritation how he went from being "baroque violin specialist" to "british music conductor specialist" seemingly overnight....)

[vers la flamme]

I agree the Pastoral is one of Elder's best but let down for me by a soprano who forces not floats her solos.  This should surely sound ethereal not operatically intense!  But my point was the Brabbins cycle - albeit still incomplete.  I haven't heard any of the Manze as I have a wholly illogical and unsupported indifference to his work (I still harbour an irritation how he went from being "baroque violin specialist" to "british music conductor specialist" seemingly overnight....)

I have wondered about that myself. I do like his Baroque violin work, his Bach concertos are great. Not sure how that translates to great Vaughan Williams, but perhaps we do owe it to the guy to give him a shot 

[Spotted Horses]

Just 7 & 9 to be released and that disc appeared in the latest Hyperion "coming soon" email but with no specific date but I guess before this anniversary year ends.  I have not heard any of the Manze cycle so cannot compare but I have enjoyed this Brabbins cycle a lot.  Very well recorded and well played - my only big "blot" was the way too small voiced baritone in the Sea Symphony.  I've enjoyed the unusual couplings too - but I know that is of little concern to some folk.  For me certainly a much better cycle than Elder of the most recent sets I do know.

Ok, to be released. That will give me a cooling off period to come to my senses (given the number of RVW symphony cycles I've yet to find time to listen to).

[Maestro267]

And here we are, two days away from the big anniversary. What are your listening plans for the big day and surrounding?

[vandermolen]

And here we are, two days away from the big anniversary. What are your listening plans for the big day and surrounding?

I'll probably play 'Job' which I heard for the first time at the 100th Anniversary concert in London 50 years ago (conducted by Boult) and maybe the new Brabbins CD featuring symphonies 6 and 8 which is one of the best VW CDs that I have bought in a long time.
PS New release

[vandermolen]

Happy 150th Birthday RVW!
(born 12th October 1872)

[Symphonic Addict]

Happy birthday!

Here another nice pic as a child:

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Happy 150th Birthday RVW!
(born 12th October 1872)

I knew that you would be the first to post Jeffrey! 

Will be his birthday here very soon.

Happy birthday Ralph!

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Happy birthday!

Here another nice pic as a child:

Sweet photo.  How old was he there?

PD

[vandermolen]

I knew that you would be the first to post Jeffrey! 

Will be his birthday here very soon.

Happy birthday Ralph!

PD

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/young-vaughan-williams-childhood-shaped-britains-favourite-composer/
Not sure if article will download.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/young-vaughan-williams-childhood-shaped-britains-favourite-composer/
Not sure if article will download.

No, unfortunately, I would need to sign up; free initially, but then would be  pay-to-view.  But thank you anyway!

PD

p.s.  I did find this even earlier one on the RVW Society's website.  It's from 1876.  So he would have been about 4 years old then. 

For those who haven't visited the site before (or perhaps might want to revisit it), it's a wonderful resource!  https://rvwsociety.com

[vandermolen]

Sweet photo.  How old was he there?

PD

The Pictorial Biography dates that photo as from 1889, so he was probably c.16.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The Pictorial Biography dates that photo as from 1889, so he was probably c.16.

Thanks, Jeffrey.

PD

[Roasted Swan]

I'll probably play 'Job' which I heard for the first time at the 100th Anniversary concert in London 50 years ago (conducted by Boult) and maybe the new Brabbins CD featuring symphonies 6 and 8 which is one of the best VW CDs that I have bought in a long time.
PS New release

A very interesting release - the "Thanksgiving for Victory" is the actual 1st performance pre-recorded on November 5th 1944 but not broadcast until May 13th 1945.  For the 1950's recording it was slightly changed and the title became the less tub-thumping "A Song of Thanksgiving".  Job is with the Boston SO - can't think of ANY recoridng of this score played by a non-British orchestra.  Also, this is Boult's 1st recording - his first studio version was made a year later.....  The re-mastering on this SOMM disc is by Lani Spahr who has done fantastic work on other archive recordings.

Fun fact of the day - the 2 producers on the 1950's A Song of Thanksgiving were Lawrence Collingwood who worked with Elgar and George Martin of The Beatles fame!

[vandermolen]

A very interesting release - the "Thanksgiving for Victory" is the actual 1st performance pre-recorded on November 5th 1944 but not broadcast until May 13th 1945.  For the 1950's recording it was slightly changed and the title became the less tub-thumping "A Song of Thanksgiving".  Job is with the Boston SO - can't think of ANY recoridng of this score played by a non-British orchestra.  Also, this is Boult's 1st recording - his first studio version was made a year later.....  The re-mastering on this SOMM disc is by Lani Spahr who has done fantastic work on other archive recordings.

Fun fact of the day - the 2 producers on the 1950's A Song of Thanksgiving were Lawrence Collingwood who worked with Elgar and George Martin of The Beatles fame!

That's so interesting RS! Thanks.
I rather like the quirky 'Thanksgiving for Victory/Song of Thanksgiving' and had no idea that Job was with the Boston SO. Another Disc of the Year I suspect!

[Karl Henning]

I knew that you would be the first to post Jeffrey! 

Will be his birthday here very soon.

Happy birthday Ralph!

PD

(* chortle *)

[Roasted Swan]

That's so interesting RS! Thanks.
I rather like the quirky 'Thanksgiving for Victory/Song of Thanksgiving' and had no idea that Job was with the Boston SO. Another Disc of the Year I suspect!

I see your programme note for the latest Alto/RVW disc gets a mention on today's MusicWeb review!  Do you know the original Collins/Marriner disc which coupled Symphonies 5&6 - its a very good disc and an excellent No.6 .... since you mention the new Brabbins as your favourite recent version I think this Marriner ain't too shoddy either!

[Biffo]

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958)

Overture The Wasps
Fantasia on Greensleeves
Serenade to Music - version for orchestra, chorus & four soloists
Towards the Unknown Region

Sir Malcolm Sargent conducting the London Symphony Orchestra with chorus (unnamed) and soloists

This was the content of the first ever LP I bought and so the start of my RVW journey.

[Roasted Swan]

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958)

Overture The Wasps
Fantasia on Greensleeves
Serenade to Music - version for orchestra, chorus & four soloists
Towards the Unknown Region

Sir Malcolm Sargent conducting the London Symphony Orchestra with chorus (unnamed) and soloists

This was the content of the first ever LP I bought and so the start of my RVW journey.

The original LP credits Peter Gellhorn as Chorus master - he directed the BBC Chorus from 1961 (this LP was first released in 1964) so I guess it was the BBC Chorus on this recording (RVW helped get Gellhorn released from detention on the Isle of Man during the War!)

Yes - the Angel listing for this LP on Discogs list it as;

Chorus Master – Peter Gellhorn (tracks: A1, B1)
Chorus [Uncredited] – BBC Symphony Chorus (tracks: A1, B1)
Composed By – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor – Sir Malcolm Sargent
Orchestra – The London Symphony Orchestra
Producer [Uncredited] – Victor Olof
Soloist, Bass Vocals – Trevor Anthony (tracks: A1)
Soloist, Contralto Vocals – Marjorie Thomas (tracks: A1)
Soloist, Soprano Vocals – Elsie Morison (tracks: A1)
Soloist, Tenor Vocals – Duncan Robertson (3) (tracks: A1)

[vandermolen]

I see your programme note for the latest Alto/RVW disc gets a mention on today's MusicWeb review!  Do you know the original Collins/Marriner disc which coupled Symphonies 5&6 - its a very good disc and an excellent No.6 .... since you mention the new Brabbins as your favourite recent version I think this Marriner ain't too shoddy either!

Thanks for noticing that!
Yes, I really like those Marriner performances. I was trying to get Robin the boss at Alto to reissue it, but he is not too keen - I think that there were some poor reviews of the Collins CD. I agree with you and think that Marriner's recording of No.6 has an oddly compassionate quality which is not evident in other recordings. I will keep pushing for Alto to release it. I'm looking forward to receiving the remastered Boult LPO account (Pristine). I also like Berglund's sibelian account and the recently released Sargent recording.