British Composers: Your Favorite Recordings

[BorisG]

I don't know. it's tough. I thoguht Handley's Tone poem disc from a couple years ago was quite good. Also his recording of the Spring Fire "symphony" (tone poem?) from the 80s, one of my favorite bax discs. Or are you strictly talking about Handley's recordings of the symphonies?

I like the symphonies, but I prefer the tone poems for the most part.  But "better music"?  What exactly do you mean?

Yes, I was referring to the Handley Bax symphonies, which is the new standard these works.

Exactly? To be precise and concise, "better music" means not as boring. Bax is more convincing with shorter themes. This is not news. From my experience reading preferences,  listeners are generally more accepting of his tone poems. That is an informal survey which may exceed a 3% error factor.

[techniquest]

The Vaughan Williams / Handley set has been mentioned on here above, but i would like to nominate a single recording by the RLivPO / Handley which is the Sinfonia Antartica. For me it has everything; just the right paciing, superb recorded sound, mystery, 'coldness' (if you know what I mean), a cracking tam-tam and the almighty Liverpool Cathedral organ!

I would also nominate the LSO / Hickox recording of the original 1913 version of Vaughan Williams' London Symphony on Chabdos - the second movement is just so beautiful, and the power in the last climax of the finale really satidfying.

Malcolm Arnold - Concerto for 2 pianos (3 hands), most definitely the 1970 recording with the CBSO / Arnold and the dedicatees Sellick & Smith at the pianos on cheapy HMV Classics label (maybe this should also be in the super-duper bargains thread...)

[Hector]

The Vaughan Williams / Handley set has been mentioned on here above, but i would like to nominate a single recording by the RLivPO / Handley which is the Sinfonia Antartica. For me it has everything; just the right paciing, superb recorded sound, mystery, 'coldness' (if you know what I mean), a cracking tam-tam and the almighty Liverpool Cathedral organ!

.

I agree with you but fear we may be alone on this one.

I, also, like 'Job' in the same box knowing others prefer different performances.

[drogulus]

I listened to clips of the Boult/Lyrita recordings of the Elgar Symphonies (at eMusic) and they sounded very intriguing. Does anyone have an opinion of them?



What's the bit rate for their downloads, I wonder? If it's 192 kbps or better, I'm tempted to sign up and grab them.

This one looks extremely good Another to add to my enormous to-buy list...

The surprise is the Delius. It's very good, in a very Delian non-virtuoso way!

[Mark]

eMusic uses Variable Bitrate (VBR) MP3, which is actually more appropriate for classical music than the more common Constant Bitrate. To put it simply, VBR means that the amount of compression used depends on the complexity of the material being encoded. For busier sections of music with many instruments playing, far less compression is applied than in quieter passages. The result is reasonable filesizes and more than reasonable sound quality (for most uses other than with high-end equipment).

[drogulus]

eMusic uses Variable Bitrate (VBR) MP3, which is actually more appropriate for classical music than the more common Constant Bitrate. To put it simply, VBR means that the amount of compression used depends on the complexity of the material being encoded. For busier sections of music with many instruments playing, far less compression is applied than in quieter passages. The result is reasonable filesizes and more than reasonable sound quality (for most uses other than with high-end equipment).

    Yes, that's good, but at what rate? If it's centered at 192, that would be very good, just about where I would set it, and where most of my homemade MP3s are.

[bwv 1080]

A great disc:



Also Julian Bream's 20th Century Guitar

[Mark]

    Yes, that's good, but at what rate? If it's centered at 192, that would be very good, just about where I would set it, and where most of my homemade MP3s are.

It must be set around 192kbps, as the files I have from them (and there are many ) range from as low as 160kbps to the heights at 320kbps.

[The new erato]

Strangely enough little chamber music here. Here are two indispensable recordings:





And another gem, too often overlooked in preference to Purcell, in a very fine recording:

[Mark]

Totally agree with the Belcea Britten String Quartets discs. These are stunningly played, finely nuanced performances and the recorded sound is absolutely bang on. Highly recommended.

[Hector]

I listened to clips of the Boult/Lyrita recordings of the Elgar Symphonies (at eMusic) and they sounded very intriguing. Does anyone have an opinion of them?

These are essential purchases for, not only, the dedicated Elgarian but the first time buyer.

Recorded in the late sixties I think that the 2nd, particularly, is probably the best on disc. Certainly the best that Boult recorded.

Any consideration of the 1st must take in Barbirolli, of course.

Lyrita sell two for the price of one.

[sound67]

George Lloyd, a composer of the second half of the 20th century who never abandoned tonality or followed any fashionable trends:

... and composed a lot of childish music.

[drogulus]

These are essential purchases for, not only, the dedicated Elgarian but the first time buyer.

Recorded in the late sixties I think that the 2nd, particularly, is probably the best on disc. Certainly the best that Boult recorded.

Any consideration of the 1st must take in Barbirolli, of course.

Lyrita sell two for the price of one.

Thanks Hector. Up to now my benchmarks in these works have been Barbirolli for the 1st and Handley for the 2nd. It looks like these will pose a serious challenge, though.

[Lilas Pastia]

I have found this set to be the highlight of my british collection:


Although this 2 cd Chandos set seems oop, it sometimes surfaces on BRO for next to nothing

[Montpellier]

... and composed a lot of childish music.

By "childish" I presume you mean creative and original, as all children are.   He was a bloody sight more creative and original than a few british composers I can think of.

[Montpellier]

I have found this set to be the highlight of my british collection:


Although this 2 cd Chandos set seems oop, it sometimes surfaces on BRO for next to nothing

I've just started to look at his symphonies....for which I can't find a source of scores to borrow or buy.  I'll have to write around to people who record his music.

[Thom]

... and composed a lot of childish music.

I don't understand. I listened to all his symphonies, his first violin concerto and 4th piano concerto. Nothing childish about that in my opinion. He ceratinly has his own voice, and indeed everything along the paths of tonality, thank god. I like his music immensely.

[bhodges]

I have found this set to be the highlight of my british collection:


Although this 2 cd Chandos set seems oop, it sometimes surfaces on BRO for next to nothing

Just another vote for these Daniel Jones quartets.  And another huge thank-you to Mr. Pastia  for introducing me to this composer.

--Bruce

[Lilas Pastia]

Bumping up an old thread -

The January-February issue of American Record Guide has a fascinating and extremely comprehensive overview of British Orchestral Music. 51 pages long , covering orchestral music but excluding symphonies. Music is briefly discussed and there are extensive recensions of  recordings. Reviewers are Hecht, Haldeman and Becker. Don Vroon did not contribute anything (british music and musicians are not his cup of tea).

There are composers I had never even heard of, such as Harold Truscott, John blackwood McEwen, Robin Milford, Alexander Mackenzie, William Hurlstone, Ernest Farrar, Doreen Mary Carwithen, Lord Berners. 

For those interested, I suggest you secure a copy before the next issue hits the stores.

[Elgarian]

Might as well take advantage of the bumping of this thread to wave a few flags:



No, no - NOT for the Coronation Ode, which you can do without, but for The Spirit of England, which is by far the most absurdly underrated and overlooked of all Elgar's works. It's up there at the top, top, top along with his very best work, and capable of breaking your heart with its expression of the anguish of the human condition in extreme adversity, and of the gratitude owed to the noble sacrifice of others. There are several recordings available, but  this is the version you want, with Alexander Gibson and Teresa Cahill (whose singing on this disc is inspired).



Anthony Payne's construction based on Elgar's sketches for a third symphony kicks into touch the myth that Elgar was a played-out has-been after Alice's death. Stunning performance of a symphony that I originally listened to with suspicion and misgivings, and ended up being completely won over by.



Parry's symphonies are fascinating to listen to in their own right, but particularly so in view of the Elgar-like flavour that so often emerges, most notably in the 3rd symphony, reminding one forcefully that Elgar didn't emerge by any means from an English vacuum. The 2nd symphony is full of good tunes, with a lovely, sweet, slow movement that one feels could only be Parry. The 3rd and 4th are probably greater achievements (though I don't claim to be a competent objective judge of their musical stature), and have more proto-Elgar moments. They can still be found separately on Amazon - you don't have to invest in the whole box.