Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[karlhenning]

The VW piano concerto is apparently available in a revised version for two pianos.  Both versions are only available in a few recordings.

So much of Vaughan Williams's work is (a) regularly in the repertory, and (b) amply recorded — and his catalogue is substantial enough — that I am not sure we can consider the fact that the piano concerto has suffered relative neglect constitutes a genuine failure on the part of the piece.

[Benji]

So much of Vaughan Williams's work is (a) regularly in the repertory, and (b) amply recorded — and his catalogue is substantial enough — that I am not sure we can consider the fact that the piano concerto has suffered relative neglect constitutes a genuine failure on the part of the piece.

Dr Karl! I'm sure what you really mean is that there aren't enough Vaughan Williams recordings, so we really, really need more. The catalogue is just not substantial enough I say! *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*

In all seriousness though, I would really love to hear a new cycle from a non-British orchestra/conductor. Is anyone aware of any non-Brit conductor who includes the symphonies in his repertoire?

And who do we think could do it justice? Sinfonia Lahti - Vanska? San Francisco - MTT? What would be your dream combination?

[karlhenning]

Dr Karl! I'm sure what you really mean is that there aren't enough Vaughan Williams recordings, so we really, really need more. The catalogue is just not substantial enough I say! *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*

Well, that's one of the things I really meant.  It's in an appendix to the latest  Dan Brown novel . . . .

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Is anyone aware of any non-Brit conductor who includes the symphonies in his repertoire?

Well hey, Haitink and Slatkin both recorded complete cycles, so it looks like your wish has already come true  0:)

[Benji]

Well hey, Haitink and Slatkin both recorded complete cycles, so it looks like your wish has already come true  0:)

I adore Haitink's cycle (well, most of it)! Slatkin... not what i've heard. I suppose Previn isn't British either, even though I always think of him that way (thanks to Morcombe and Wise).

But those cycles were all with British orchestras (except that Icelandic fellow whose name I forget...P..?).

Who do we want a new cycle from? Something completely fresh and without any British interference that doesn't come from directly from the music?

[PerfectWagnerite]

Let's see, you already have Handley, Thomson, Boult (x2), Haitink, Slatkin, Haitink, Previn. Between these and the orchestras they recorded with you have British and non-British orchestras covered to the bone. For such mediocre music you are flooded with choices. You really need another cycle? And who is going to record it other than a British orchestra and/or conductor. Non-british orchestras wouldn't touch this music with the proverbial 10 foot pole.

[karlhenning]

. . . For such mediocre music you are flooded with choices.

Oh, puh-leeeze.

[Benji]

Let's see, you already have Handley, Thomson, Boult (x2), Haitink, Slatkin, Haitink, Previn. Between these and the orchestras they recorded with you have British and non-British orchestras covered to the bone. For such mediocre music you are flooded with choices. You really need another cycle? And who is going to record it other than a British orchestra and/or conductor. Non-british orchestras wouldn't touch this music with the proverbial 10 foot pole.

Though I thank you for your valuable contribution to our thread, I'm respectfully filing your opinion under B, then S.  

Anyone else?

[Dana]

My opinions on Vaughan-Williams are misinformed, and I don't know what good music is. Also, I am a bad person.

A philistine??!!

STONE HIM!!!!!

[PerfectWagnerite]

If you are going to make up some dumb-ass quote at least get the guy's name right. It's Vaughan Williams, not Vaughan-Williams.

[Brahmsian]

If you are going to make up some dumb-ass quote at least get the guy's name right. It's Vaughan Williams, not Vaughan-Williams.

I think that was part of the joke.  (I'm guessing)

[PerfectWagnerite]

I think that was part of the joke. 

Somehow I seriously doubt that.

[karlhenning]

Somehow I seriously doubt that.

Right; it's simply a matter of not caring about the music, nor about the composer, and parading your disinterest as some sort of virtue.

[PerfectWagnerite]

I have both the Thomson and Previn cycle and some of the Slatkin and Boult. I have listened to each at least 3-5 times over the past 10 years and I don't think it is great music. Probably a bit better than Elgar but not as good was Walton. The 4th and 9th are very good. The 6th has its moments, but others range from okay (3 and 5) to dreadful (1 and 7).

[Scarpia]

I own five versions: Handley/Shelley, Handley/Lane, Thomson/Shelley, Menhuin/Markam & Broadway (sounds like an intersection, not a piano duo  ) and Boult/Vronsky & Babin. Is there any reason I should consider adding this Naxos recording...I mean other than the gorgeous cover 

Sarge

Any comment on the relative merits of those recordings? 

[Sergeant Rock]

Any comment on the relative merits of those recordings? 

Not at the moment--I haven't done a comparative listen. In fact, it's been a long time since I listened to most of the recordings (and I've never heard the Boult...one of the drawbacks of owning the huge EMI box: things tend to get lost, be forgotten). I've begun to recitify that. Listened to the Menuhin earlier today.

Sarge

[karlhenning]

Ah, the divine Hepzibah . . . .

[Sergeant Rock]

Well hey, Haitink and Slatkin both recorded complete cycles, so it looks like your wish has already come true  0:)

Previn's been mentioned. And Kees Bakels recorded a cycle, too, with the Bournemouth SO. He's Dutch.

Sarge

[Benji]

Previn's been mentioned. And Kees Bakels recorded a cycle, too, with the Bournemouth SO. He's Dutch.

Sarge

Bakels! That's who I was thinking of. I was confusing him with the Icelandic guy who actually recorded Sibelius for Naxos, not RVW.

[Sergeant Rock]

I have both the Thomson and Previn cycle and some of the Slatkin and Boult. I have listened to each at least 3-5 times over the past 10 years and I don't think it is great music. Probably a bit better than Elgar but not as good was Walton. The 4th and 9th are very good. The 6th has its moments, but others range from okay (3 and 5) to dreadful (1 and 7).

Since 3, 5 and 6 are generally considered the composers best, I thnk your idea about what is good and bad about VW is just a wee bit skewed towards personal taste, PW    Having said that, my own favorites are 4 and 9, along with that superb little oddball Eighth.

Sarge