Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Partita for Double String Orchestra

I've been YouTubing this piece (previously unknown to me), and so far I like it. Any opinions on it?

[Mirror Image]

Partita for Double String Orchestra

I've been YouTubing this piece (previously unknown to me), and so far I like it. Any opinions on it?

An excellent work. RVW was such a natural in his writing for strings that it seems like a no-brainer that this wouldn't be good. I feel the same way about his Concerto Grosso.

[madaboutmahler]

Just finished listening to the last disc in by Haitink RVW set. 8th/9th symphonies. Simply WOW. Incredible pieces. I was completely blown away, with tears in my eyes, at the utter power of the ending to no.9.... what a farewell to the symphonic form.. So moving. 8 and 9 might have to be my favourites overall.... but then again 3-6 are just so incredible too. Hope there's not a poll for 'favourite RVW symphony' here as I wouldn't be able to pick!!

[Mirror Image]

Just finished listening to the last disc in by Haitink RVW set. 8th/9th symphonies. Simply WOW. Incredible pieces. I was completely blown away, with tears in my eyes, at the utter power of the ending to no.9.... what a farewell to the symphonic form.. So moving. 8 and 9 might have to be my favourites overall.... but then again 3-6 are just so incredible too. Hope there's not a poll for 'favourite RVW symphony' here as I wouldn't be able to pick!!

Good to hear, Daniel. RVW has long been a favorite of mine and it was high time you explored his symphonies. Symphony No. 5 has always been a special work for me, but I really enjoy all of his symphonies. Now it's time for Job!

[Sergeant Rock]

Hope there's not a poll for 'favourite RVW symphony' here as I wouldn't be able to pick!!

Of course there's a poll 

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,6037.msg143580.html#msg143580

My top three: 4, 8, 9

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

My picks: 4, 5, & 6, but I could have easily threw the 3rd in for the 4th or the 8th in for the 6th and still have been satisfied.

[Ken B]

My picks: 4, 5, & 6, but I could have easily threw the 3rd in for the 4th or the 8th in for the 6th and still have been satisfied.

4, 5, and 6 are my choices but I go back and forth on whether 5 or 4 is top. Usually 5.
Exploring RVW do not miss Flos Campi.

[Mirror Image]

4, 5, and 6 are my choices but I go back and forth on whether 5 or 4 is top. Usually 5.
Exploring RVW do not miss Flos Campi.

Yep, Flos Campi is a fine work. I've grown quite fond of the Oboe Concerto over the past year or so.

[TheGSMoeller]

Looks I voted just over a year ago, let's see if I still agree...

Time to renew an old thread.

My votes...
Symphony No. 1, A Sea Symphony
Symphony No. 3, A Pastoral Symphony
Symphony No. 9

Regarding RVW symphonies, I can honestly say that I enjoy them all. There's not really a dull one in the lot.

My personal favorite will always be the 1st, A Sea Symphony, in fact it was Sea that peaked my interest in RVW. With the exception of an over-boldy presented first movement, I find that the Symphony successfully merges words and music. I still get chills in the final movement hearing the soprano and baritone echoing "Bathe me O God in thee, mounting to thee, I and my soul to range in range of thee." Although I consider Sea to be my favorite, I don't believe it to be his greatest symphonic accomplishment

From there I chose his Pastoral Symphony. One of the most poetic symphonies I've heard. The final movement ranks high with some of those most visionary and inspired pieces. Nothing closes a symphony quite like the distant soprano.

My final vote went to his 9th, a leap of over 30 years from my previous pick of No.3. The 9th is unique, it's calm yet haunting. The rhythmically charged Scherzo filled with three saxophones is a highlight along with the brilliantly composed bookends.

There are some days I could have easily voted for No. 5, No. 6 or No. 7 (which I consider to be much fun), but 1, 3 and 9 are the ones I return to the most.

...I'm good. 

[madaboutmahler]

Of course there's a poll 

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,6037.msg143580.html#msg143580

My top three: 4, 8, 9

Sarge

Oh dear... :p I think it might have to be 6, 8 and 9 for me!!

[vandermolen]

The defiant and valedictory No. 9 ranks very high with me too (those harps at the end  ). Handley is very good with the clearest harps. No. 6 remains the greatest in my opinion. Haitink made me appreciate A Sea Symphony more than any other recording. The 1913 A London Symphony gets played a lot too. Why did he cut out the best bit just before the end?

[Mirror Image]

I really need to revisit the 9th. I do recall enjoying very well.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I really need to revisit the 9th. I do recall enjoying very well.

I am still where I always was with the 9th: puzzled by the outer movements, but greatly enjoy the quirky inner ones, especially the flugelhorn and sax contributions.

[Mirror Image]

I am still where I always was with the 9th: puzzled by the outer movements, but greatly enjoy the quirky inner ones, especially the flugelhorn and sax contributions.

What is so puzzling about the outer movements?

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

What is so puzzling about the outer movements?

I find them kind of heavy and diffuse, hard to know where the music is going. It's a bit like trying to drive through a rainstorm at night. I don't get that feeling with any other of VW's symphonic movements.

[vandermolen]

I am still where I always was with the 9th: puzzled by the outer movements, but greatly enjoy the quirky inner ones, especially the flugelhorn and sax contributions.

That's very interesting as it is the two outer movements which I prefer to the inner ones ( as with Mahler's 9th Symphony).

[calyptorhynchus]

I love all the VW symphonies, although there are some I don't listen to all that often.

My absolute favourites are 5 and 9, but with all of them when I listen to them again, as not with all other composers' works, I am always impressed with how good they are. I think we underestimate VW.

[vandermolen]

I love all the VW symphonies, although there are some I don't listen to all that often.

My absolute favourites are 5 and 9, but with all of them when I listen to them again, as not with all other composers' works, I am always impressed with how good they are. I think we underestimate VW.

I agree. Naxos put 5 and 9 together - a great CD.

[Karl Henning]

I agree. Naxos put 5 and 9 together - a great CD.

I've said it before:  That Kees Bakels/Bournemouth CD opened my ears to the value of the symphonies.

[calyptorhynchus]

I see that Naxos is promising for May 2014 a disk containing, amongst other works, the early Piano Quintet and a Quintet for Clarinet, Horn and Piano Trio.