Sir William Walton

Started by tjguitar, April 16, 2007, 09:15:49 AM

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foxandpeng

William Walton
Symphony 1
Andrew Litton
Bournemouth SO
Decca


Following up on the Colin Davis version because nobody seems to be recommending that recording. Sounded fine to me, mind, as a mere novice. This one doesn't seem so different, although it is my first listen, and the work itself is pretty new to me.

Not sure why Walton slips the cracks so far, but I am enjoying it up to now.
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: vandermolen on September 11, 2022, 11:34:43 PM
Oh yes! I had that LP too Manabu - here's the later CD release:


Yes that's the cd I own. For my iPod/iPhone, I changed the cover art to that of the old recording since the latter looks so hip and sharp!

vandermolen

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on September 12, 2022, 09:46:59 AM
Yes that's the cd I own. For my iPod/iPhone, I changed the cover art to that of the old recording since the latter looks so hip and sharp!
Excellent idea Manabu!
Colin Davis and Litton are fine but not my favourites,
"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).

Irons

Quote from: foxandpeng on September 12, 2022, 04:44:04 AM
William Walton
Symphony 1
Andrew Litton
Bournemouth SO
Decca



Following up on the Colin Davis version because nobody seems to be recommending that recording. Sounded fine to me, mind, as a mere novice. This one doesn't seem so different, although it is my first listen, and the work itself is pretty new to me.

Not sure why Walton slips the cracks so far, but I am enjoying it up to now.

Not heard Davis or Lytton come to that. The acid test is the opening of the symphony, if the hairs on the back of your neck do not rise then it will not do. Sir Malcolm Sargent strikes a very high bench mark for this and the rest of the symphony too.
You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

vandermolen

Quote from: Irons on September 13, 2022, 06:08:33 AM
Not heard Davis or Lytton come to that. The acid test is the opening of the symphony, if the hairs on the back of your neck do not rise then it will not do. Sir Malcolm Sargent strikes a very high bench mark for this and the rest of the symphony too.
I agree! Boult (Pye) does the same, as does Thomson, Harty and Mackerras.
"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).

Irons



A performance that fizzes and burns. I have never understood the reasoning of Walton's 2nd Symphony being a poor relation of the 1st, even less so after hearing this.

A "freebie" with the current issue of the BBC MM.
You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

vandermolen

Quote from: Irons on September 18, 2022, 11:18:15 PM


A performance that fizzes and burns. I have never understood the reasoning of Walton's 2nd Symphony being a poor relation of the 1st, even less so after hearing this.

A "freebie" with the current issue of the BBC MM.
Excellent Lol! I shall play that CD later.
"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).

Irons

You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

vandermolen

"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).

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: Irons on September 18, 2022, 11:18:15 PM


A performance that fizzes and burns. I have never understood the reasoning of Walton's 2nd Symphony being a poor relation of the 1st, even less so after hearing this.

A "freebie" with the current issue of the BBC MM.

I love the No. 2!

Irons

You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

vandermolen

Quote from: Irons on September 20, 2022, 07:27:15 AM
I am very fond of the George Szell recording.
+1
I like Mackerras and Karabits as well.
"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).

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: vandermolen on September 20, 2022, 12:05:45 PM
+1
I like Mackerras and Karabits as well.

Yes, they all are vg! I am curious about the recording below, and I imagine you (and Irons) have it. Should I purchase this one? Very cool cover art!




vandermolen

#753
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on September 20, 2022, 01:22:54 PM
Yes, they all are vg! I am curious about the recording below, and I imagine you (and Irons) have it. Should I purchase this one? Very cool cover art!





How interesting! No, never heard it. Is it a CD and if so, what label is it on Manabu?

PS it looks to me like a download only. I've always rated Pritchard highly.
"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).

Irons

Quote from: vandermolen on September 20, 2022, 10:52:44 PM
How interesting! No, never heard it. Is it a CD and if so, what label is it on Manabu?

PS it looks to me like a download only. I've always rated Pritchard highly.

I have not heard it either. Also, I rate Pritchard highly.
You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

Dry Brett Kavanaugh


Lisztianwagner

Yesterday I listened to Walton's Symphony No.1 for the first time (very first attempt with Walton's music too) and it really impressed me, it was absolutely overwhelming! It is a very powerful, passionate work, with such a great intensity often increasing in gorgeous climaxes and orchestral outbursts, that deeply strikes; but at the same time also clear and incisive, and it doesn't lack precision and logic. I liked very much the contrasting moods along the movements too, the glorious, vibrant atmosphere of the finale was quite suprising after the tension, bitterness and melancholy of the previous parts.
I listened to Karajan's recording, which was certainly beautiful, but unfortunately with a poor sound quality; any suggestion about another good recording as well as other Walton's works?
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

Roasted Swan

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 21, 2022, 12:17:40 PM
Yesterday I listened to Walton's Symphony No.1 for the first time (very first attempt with Walton's music too) and it really impressed me, it was absolutely overwhelming! It is a very powerful, passionate work, with such a great intensity often increasing in gorgeous climaxes and orchestral outbursts, that deeply strikes; but at the same time also clear and incisive, and it doesn't lack precision and logic. I liked very much the contrasting moods along the movements too, the glorious, vibrant atmosphere of the finale was quite suprising after the tension, bitterness and melancholy of the previous parts.
I listened to Karajan's recording, which was certainly beautiful, but unfortunately with a poor sound quality; any suggestion about another good recording as well as other Walton's works?

Usual suspects(!);

Previn/LSO/RCA
Sargent/New Philharmonia/EMI (if I don't mention this Jeffrey will!)
Thomson/LPO/Chandos
Mackerras/LPO/EMI
Karabits/Bournemouth/Onyx
Brabbins/ BBC Scottish SO / Hyperion

The Mackerras, Karabits & Brabbins all include the 2nd symphony as well - very different but wonderful too.

Other orchestral works to hear;
Portsmouth Point
Belshazzar's Feast (choral)
Violin Concerto
Viola Concerto
Partita
Hindemith Variations
Facade Suites (lighter music)
Scapino Overture
Henry V film score

Lisztianwagner

Quote from: Roasted Swan on September 21, 2022, 01:35:48 PM
Usual suspects(!);

Previn/LSO/RCA
Sargent/New Philharmonia/EMI (if I don't mention this Jeffrey will!)
Thomson/LPO/Chandos
Mackerras/LPO/EMI
Karabits/Bournemouth/Onyx
Brabbins/ BBC Scottish SO / Hyperion

The Mackerras, Karabits & Brabbins all include the 2nd symphony as well - very different but wonderful too.

Other orchestral works to hear;
Portsmouth Point
Belshazzar's Feast (choral)
Violin Concerto
Viola Concerto
Partita
Hindemith Variations
Facade Suites (lighter music)
Scapino Overture
Henry V film score

Thank you very much!
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: Roasted Swan on September 21, 2022, 01:35:48 PM
Usual suspects(!);

Previn/LSO/RCA
Sargent/New Philharmonia/EMI (if I don't mention this Jeffrey will!)
Thomson/LPO/Chandos
Mackerras/LPO/EMI
Karabits/Bournemouth/Onyx
Brabbins/ BBC Scottish SO / Hyperion

The Mackerras, Karabits & Brabbins all include the 2nd symphony as well - very different but wonderful too.

Other orchestral works to hear;
Portsmouth Point
Belshazzar's Feast (choral)
Violin Concerto
Viola Concerto
Partita
Hindemith Variations
Facade Suites (lighter music)
Scapino Overture
Henry V film score

Ditto, plus Johannesburg Festival Overture.