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Author Topic: Sir William Walton  (Read 42364 times)

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Offline Roasted Swan

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #320 on: May 27, 2019, 01:29:14 AM »
Quote from: Irons on May 26, 2019, 10:36:45 PM
Chung is next on my list. Yesterday was the turn of Ida Haendel who shows the Walton violin concerto in the best possible light. Not as languorous as some in the first movement but she and Berglund are brilliant at the sudden changes of mood and tempo during the concerto as a whole. I am coming around to the thought this is a finer violin concerto then I gave credit for. More suited to Haendel then the coupling I think.



Haendel's is one of the great performances and Berglund/Bournemouth as good in this as they were in the Cello Concerto.  Shame those forces never made a commercial recording of either of the Symphonies .... perhaps there's an off-air version?  Gritty Berglund in Sibelian-mode would seem a shoe-in for Symphony 1.......
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Offline vandermolen

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #321 on: May 27, 2019, 07:30:17 PM »
Quote from: Irons on May 26, 2019, 10:36:45 PM
Chung is next on my list. Yesterday was the turn of Ida Haendel who shows the Walton violin concerto in the best possible light. Not as languorous as some in the first movement but she and Berglund are brilliant at the sudden changes of mood and tempo during the concerto as a whole. I am coming around to the thought this is a finer violin concerto then I gave credit for. More suited to Haendel then the coupling I think.


The combination of Haendel and Berglund is excellent. Haedel's recordings of Pettersson's VC2 and Shostakovich VC1 are both favourites of mine.
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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

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Offline Irons

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #322 on: May 27, 2019, 10:17:40 PM »
Have either of you heard Haendel/Berglund in the EMI Sibelius recording? Although receiving rave reviews I was initially  underwhelmed. I also felt the same with the slow-paced Elgar concerto (with Boult) but over time I have grown to appreciate the special qualities and understanding that Haendel brings to this work. I must return to the Sibelius.

I thought exactly the same hearing Berglund's committed direction in the Walton - Why no 1st Symphony?! 
« Last Edit: May 27, 2019, 10:19:52 PM by Irons »
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The familiar rat-a-tat of enemy machine-guns joined the melee. It was like an orchestra from hell, it’s tune being played out by the instruments of death. - The Sun Will Always Shine, John R McKay.

Offline vandermolen

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #323 on: May 27, 2019, 10:34:15 PM »
Quote from: Irons on May 27, 2019, 10:17:40 PM
Have either of you heard Haendel/Berglund in the EMI Sibelius recording? Although receiving rave reviews I was initially  underwhelmed. I also felt the same with the slow-paced Elgar concerto (with Boult) but over time I have grown to appreciate the special qualities and understanding that Haendel brings to this work. I must return to the Sibelius.

I thought exactly the same hearing Berglund's committed direction in the Walton - Why no 1st Symphony?!
No Lol but I just discovered it going very cheaply second-hand on Amazon, coupled with Symphony 7 and the Karelia Suite and Overture on the old HMV Classics label - so I have snapped it up!  ::)
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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Offline Roasted Swan

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #324 on: May 27, 2019, 10:46:08 PM »
Quote from: Irons on May 27, 2019, 10:17:40 PM
Have either of you heard Haendel/Berglund in the EMI Sibelius recording? Although receiving rave reviews I was initially  underwhelmed. I also felt the same with the slow-paced Elgar concerto (with Boult) but over time I have grown to appreciate the special qualities and understanding that Haendel brings to this work. I must return to the Sibelius.

I thought exactly the same hearing Berglund's committed direction in the Walton - Why no 1st Symphony?!

In bargain hunting mode just last week I picked up that Haendel/Sibelius on an odd EMI Sibelius compilation disc (with Barbirolli's Karelia and Beecham's 7th Symphony).  I'll listen to it today and get back to you.  there is another Haendel/Elgar concerto - live with John Pritchard and the BBC SO.  I must admit I do struggle with her very weighty approach there even though technically she is so fine.  But for sure one of the great players.

Another live recording of hers which always gets very good reviews is this



a very generous coupling.  I've never managed to track down a reasonably priced copy so it stays on my stalked-discs list!
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Offline Roasted Swan

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #325 on: May 27, 2019, 10:47:31 PM »
Quote from: vandermolen on May 27, 2019, 10:34:15 PM
No Lol but I just discovered it going very cheaply second-hand on Amazon, coupled with Symphony 7 and the Karelia Suite and Overture on the old HMV Classics label - so I have snapped it up!  ::)

Oops - didn't see this post when I mentioned the exact same disc below!
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Offline vandermolen

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #326 on: May 28, 2019, 02:21:20 AM »
Quote from: Roasted Swan on May 27, 2019, 10:47:31 PM
Oops - didn't see this post when I mentioned the exact same disc below!

Great minds etc
 8)
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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Offline Irons

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #327 on: May 28, 2019, 06:06:35 AM »
I would be most interested in your comments on the Sibelius concerto. To avoid any confusion this is it.

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The familiar rat-a-tat of enemy machine-guns joined the melee. It was like an orchestra from hell, it’s tune being played out by the instruments of death. - The Sun Will Always Shine, John R McKay.

Offline vandermolen

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #328 on: May 28, 2019, 06:28:39 AM »
Quote from: Irons on May 28, 2019, 06:06:35 AM
I would be most interested in your comments on the Sibelius concerto. To avoid any confusion this is it.



Certainly, as soon as it turns up.
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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Offline Roasted Swan

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #329 on: May 28, 2019, 08:22:52 AM »
Quote from: Irons on May 28, 2019, 06:06:35 AM
I would be most interested in your comments on the Sibelius concerto. To avoid any confusion this is it.



Listened this morning to the Haendel/Sibelius.  I enjoyed it a lot.  NOT the most firey/dramatic version and certainly the Berglund/BSO accompaniment is 'toned down' from their cycle of Sibelius symphonies which remains one of my very favourite.  Tempi are steady but by no means slow.  Personally I do prefer a more impassioned approach perhaps because that's what I am most used to......
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Offline André

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #330 on: May 28, 2019, 10:53:34 AM »
IMO Haendel’s Sibelius is best heard in the Supraphon release under Ancerl.
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PerfectWagnerite

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #331 on: May 28, 2019, 10:55:03 AM »
Quote from: kyjo on May 26, 2019, 07:53:14 AM
We should! Janine Jansen is an incredible violinist.

Not sure who is going to read your email though, the only one it seems like you can contact is her publicist.

Interestingly seems like the only non-British orchestra that has recorded the work is the Philadelphia Orchestra with Ormandy/Francescatti.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2019, 10:59:55 AM by PerfectWagnerite »
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Offline Irons

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #332 on: May 28, 2019, 12:16:53 PM »
Quote from: Roasted Swan on May 28, 2019, 08:22:52 AM
Listened this morning to the Haendel/Sibelius.  I enjoyed it a lot.  NOT the most firey/dramatic version and certainly the Berglund/BSO accompaniment is 'toned down' from their cycle of Sibelius symphonies which remains one of my very favourite.  Tempi are steady but by no means slow.  Personally I do prefer a more impassioned approach perhaps because that's what I am most used to......

I am a big fan of the Bournemouth SO but I think on this occasion they had an off-day. Not only 'toned down' I also found the accompaniment earth bound. Only fair to point out I don't like Berglund's Sibelius as much as you but I realise I am in the minority there. For comparison purposes I also listened to Szeryng with the LSO directed by Roschdestwensky. Haendel has a lighter tone which is fine but comparing the Bournemouth SO and the LSO on this occasion there is only one winner and it isn't from the south coast.

I have a few of Haendel's Supraphon recordings but was unaware she recorded the Sibelius for them.
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The familiar rat-a-tat of enemy machine-guns joined the melee. It was like an orchestra from hell, it’s tune being played out by the instruments of death. - The Sun Will Always Shine, John R McKay.

Offline Roasted Swan

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #333 on: May 28, 2019, 12:32:56 PM »
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on May 28, 2019, 10:55:03 AM
Interestingly seems like the only non-British orchestra that has recorded the work is the Philadelphia Orchestra with Ormandy/Francescatti.

Bell/Zinman/Baltimore
Ehnes/Tovey/Vancouver
Bowes/Swensen/Malmo Opera Orchestra
Judd/Rosand/Florida

for starters......


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Offline Daverz

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #334 on: May 29, 2019, 02:12:33 AM »
Quote from: Roasted Swan on May 28, 2019, 12:32:56 PM
Bell/Zinman/Baltimore
Ehnes/Tovey/Vancouver
Bowes/Swensen/Malmo Opera Orchestra
Judd/Rosand/Florida

for starters......

I'm reminded of the set out of New Haven:



EDIT: here they are at Presto: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/search?search_query=walton+new+haven
« Last Edit: May 29, 2019, 02:37:03 PM by Daverz »
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Offline vandermolen

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #335 on: May 29, 2019, 03:07:58 AM »
Quote from: Daverz on May 29, 2019, 02:12:33 AM
I'm reminded of the set out of New Haven:


Both fine performances IMO.
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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Offline Irons

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #336 on: May 29, 2019, 12:55:39 PM »
What a good idea to couple each symphony with a string concerto.

I did wonder what happened to William Boughton. He made some good recordings of English music for Nimbus in the mid-1980's.
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The familiar rat-a-tat of enemy machine-guns joined the melee. It was like an orchestra from hell, it’s tune being played out by the instruments of death. - The Sun Will Always Shine, John R McKay.

Offline vandermolen

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #337 on: May 29, 2019, 10:35:32 PM »
Quote from: Irons on May 29, 2019, 12:55:39 PM
What a good idea to couple each symphony with a string concerto.

I did wonder what happened to William Boughton. He made some good recordings of English music for Nimbus in the mid-1980's.

Here's his website. He looks quite perky.
I hadn't realised he was the conductor on the recent Lyrita release of John Joubert's Symphony 3:
https://williamboughton.com
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"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Offline Irons

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #338 on: May 29, 2019, 10:54:02 PM »
Quote from: vandermolen on May 29, 2019, 10:35:32 PM
Here's his website. He looks quite perky.
I hadn't realised he was the conductor on the recent Lyrita release of John Joubert's Symphony 3:
https://williamboughton.com

Thanks for link, Jeffrey. Good to see he has built a career in the US which explains why he disappeared from the scene over here.
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The familiar rat-a-tat of enemy machine-guns joined the melee. It was like an orchestra from hell, it’s tune being played out by the instruments of death. - The Sun Will Always Shine, John R McKay.

Offline Daverz

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Re: Sir William Walton
« Reply #339 on: May 29, 2019, 11:52:17 PM »
Quote from: vandermolen on May 29, 2019, 03:07:58 AM
Both fine performances IMO.

The New Haven Symphony is very good as is the Nimbus engineering.
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