Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[Sergeant Rock]

Alright, sounding good... Handley and Slatkin will both be competing for modern sound at bargain price.  Who else is competing in that area?

Haitink, of course. His box is 32 bucks at Amazon. He has the best sound. Even though it's my favorite cycle after Boult's I'm relunctant to recommend it because his interpretations (and they are interpretations) polarize opinion. I like to say he "Brucknerizes" VW: slow tempos, granitic blocks of sound.

Slatkin I love and while I acknowledge the sonic issues MI has with it, the sound doesn't bother me. At points in the score Slatkin obviously wanted the strings to be less prominent. You can agree or disagree with Slatkin's decision.

Handley is the safe choice: good sound, thoroughly British readings, loved by many...but which I find a little staid (don't put much weight in that though: after Boult I'm looking for quite different takes on the music, which the "foreigners" (Previn, Slatkin, Haitink, Bakels) provide.

Sarge

[karlhenning]

I join Sarge in his enthusiasm for the Haitink, but then, you knew that ; )

[DavidW]

I've ordered the Haitink set.  Not only do I like the description given by you Sarge, and like the endorsement by Karl but your description matches well with my impressions of Handley which I have listened to before.

If I like it, I'll be asking about the concertos, Thomson I guess for those but who knows?!

[vandermolen]

Audible.       and from early 90s.
I love the Slatkin set, with the exception of No. 5 & 6, I feel strongly about the other symphonies performances, and they can easily be recommended.
The set contains my personal favorite recordings of No. 1, 8 & 9.

Totally agree with this verdict on the cycle.  Listened to No 5 last night and was very disappointed - too fast and lacking depth.  No 6 not as bad I think.

[vandermolen]

The Haitink recording of A Sea Symphony opened my eyes to a work that I had largely ignored for c 40 years - a revelation to me.  Sarge - which Boult cycle is your favourite?

As for No 5 the best version IMHO is Barbirolli's on EMI (the CD with Bax's Tintagel is wonderful) - I prefer VW conducting his own Symphony No 5 (a wonderful historic performance, with the great man also conducting Dona Nobis Pacem) to the much lauded No 4.

[asin]B000WM86UW[/asin]

[Sergeant Rock]

The Haitink recording of A Sea Symphony opened my eyes to a work that I had largely ignored for c 40 years - a revelation to me.  Sarge - which Boult cycle is your favourite?

I grew up with Boult EMI. For two decades it was the only full cycle I owned. It was like an old friend and for years I didn't think I needed his earlier Decca cycle; I resisted the critical acclaim. But now that I have it I understand what all the fuss was about. It's definitely my favorite now. I even prefer the sound: more immediate, more detailed. Still, there's something very comfortable about Boult EMI, comfortable and familiar.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

I grew up with Boult EMI [...]

Makes the following especially pleasant for me to read:

Haitink, of course. His box is 32 bucks at Amazon. He has the best sound. Even though it's my favorite cycle after Boult's I'm relunctant to recommend it because his interpretations (and they are interpretations) polarize opinion.

[Karl Henning]

Recorded 1937 and 1944

Well, rolled out the 5th today for my first ever listen to this piece, and like the 4th was immediately transported into musical bliss.  The 5th had a nice even flow to it that made the 40 minutes or so seem to evaporate.  Only when the 4th movement came around did it take a different, yet wonderful turn for me.  Imagery as below came to mind:



Absolutely beautiful.

After only two symphonies of RVW under belt, I have noticed something additionally special about his music.  Even when considering thoughts for the upcoming day or other matters, his music, while playing, does not leave me even for a moment.  Many times with others' music I find I have to relisten or attend to at a higher level of concentration.  So far, RVW's music pentrates at a deeper level letting me enjoy his music while also considering other notions.  Pretty cool stuff.

Almost three months have passed, Bill, since I told you I'd send you something.

At last, I can unburden myself: I mailed it out to-day! : )

[Gurn Blanston]

Almost three months have passed, Bill, since I told you I'd send you something.

At last, I can unburden myself: I mailed it out to-day! : )

Judging by Bill's original picture, Karl, it is almost as though he was expecting the slow boat from China...

[Karl Henning]

If I had been Scott, I shouldn't have been in so great a hurry to get the South Pole, either . . . .

[DavidRoss]

Handley is the safe choice: good sound, thoroughly British readings, loved by many...but which I find a little staid

So, back to the old debate: Is music--as some would have it--the score?  Or are the notes on the page simply shorthand to guide the performer(s) in making the sound which is music?

My take on Handley, too.  A champion of English music, aye, but perhaps not the best of ambassadors...? 

[Mirror Image]

Looks like there's a new Elder/Halle Orchestra recording coming out and the performance is of RVW's A London Symphony and the Oboe Concerto. Should be good.

[Bogey]

Almost three months have passed, Bill, since I told you I'd send you something.

At last, I can unburden myself: I mailed it out to-day! : )

The Eagle has landed....just waiting to open the hatch.  Thanks my friend!

[vandermolen]

Looks like there's a new Elder/Halle Orchestra recording coming out and the performance is of RVW's A London Symphony and the Oboe Concerto. Should be good.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/06/vaughan-williams-london-symphony-review

[Mirror Image]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/06/vaughan-williams-london-symphony-review

Should be a good one, Jeffrey.

[Karl Henning]

The Eagle has landed....just waiting to open the hatch.  Thanks my friend!

Splendid!

[vandermolen]

Should be a good one, Jeffrey.

Yes, it was very well reviewed by the Musicweb too. I must say that I now usually play the 1913 or 1920 version as, otherwise, I really miss the wonderful music which VW excised from the 1936 definitive version (just before the close of the symphony).

[Bogey]

Bustin' out No.1 thanks to Karl!

Always enjoyed Haitink for Shosty....add Vaughan Williams to the list.

[DavidRoss]

Bustin' out No.1 thanks to Karl!

Always enjoyed Haitink for Shosty....add Vaughan Williams to the list.

Reminding me that I've not given enough attention to the Haitink set since acquiring it some time ago. It must be time. Last night I listened to Hilary Hahn playing The Lark Ascending before bed and thought, "RVW's music is so beautiful that I tend to overlook it, but there's nothing wrong with beauty and I can't say that I've ever had too much of it in my life."

[Bogey]

Reminding me that I've not given enough attention to the Haitink set since acquiring it some time ago. It must be time. Last night I listened to Hilary Hahn playing The Lark Ascending before bed and thought, "RVW's music is so beautiful that I tend to overlook it, but there's nothing wrong with beauty and I can't say that I've ever had too much of it in my life."

Need to rip off the celo from this Boult set in front of me, David and check out his #1....about 4 minutes shorter than the Haitink.  Will be neat to hear the same orchestra, but different conductors.