Vaughan Williams's Veranda

Started by karlhenning, April 12, 2007, 06:03:44 AM

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vandermolen

Quote from: vers la flamme on March 17, 2023, 03:42:15 PMAny recommendations for a good biography or "life and works" monograph on RVW? I expect there must be at least a few out there. I am sorry if the question has already been posed and answered recently, this thread is too long for me to dig through.
I like this new biography - a good modern overview.
"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).

Karl Henning

Quote from: vandermolen on March 18, 2023, 10:42:42 AMI like this new biography - a good modern overview.
Thanks, Jeffrey, it's long enough since I  read the Kennedy, and I now know so much more of the music, that it's time I read a bio afresh.
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

vandermolen

Dona Nobis Pacem has been well-served on disc. I do not know of a 'bad' recording. Do you have a favourite version and if so why?
"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).

LKB

#6303
For Dona Nobis Pacem, I've never had a reason to look further than the Boult/EMI recording from ( l think ) 1974.

As for the " why ", it just doesn't seem to have any weaknesses. Both soloists are solid, the LPO seem to be in top form and Boult's take on the score seems both sensible and sincere. EMI's recording is likewise well-balanced and delivers a realistic soundstage, without calling undue attention to itself.

Any time committed performers of worthy music are afforded a faithful record of the proceedings, the result will be special; so it is here.
Mit Flügeln, die ich mir errungen...

VonStupp

Quote from: vandermolen on March 19, 2023, 05:44:00 AMDona Nobis Pacem has been well-served on disc. I do not know of a 'bad' recording. Do you have a favourite version and if so why?

I have recently been turned towards Hickox's outing. He goes against the grain by choosing broad tempos for the middle movements, some almost dangerously slow, but the outcome is thrilling.

Haven't heard Litton's on Hyperion, but I think I would be more interested in hearing the Stephen Hough Mass than their traversal of Dona.
"All the good music has already been written by people with wigs and stuff."

vandermolen

Quote from: VonStupp on March 19, 2023, 06:48:55 AMI have recently been turned towards Hickox's outing. He goes against the grain by choosing broad tempos for the middle movements, some almost dangerously slow, but the outcome is thrilling.

Haven't heard Litton's on Hyperion, but I think I would be more interested in hearing the Stephen Hough Mass than their traversal of Dona.
Thanks v much VS!
I must listen to Hickox again. I really enjoyed the Litton recording on Hyperion although, sorry to say, I did not like the accompanying work by Stephen Hough.
"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).

VonStupp

Quote from: vandermolen on March 19, 2023, 06:52:16 AMThanks v much VS!
I must listen to Hickox again. I really enjoyed the Litton recording on Hyperion although, sorry to say, I did not like the accompanying work by Stephen Hough.
Interesting, I will keep that in mind.
VS
"All the good music has already been written by people with wigs and stuff."

Lisztianwagner

About Dona nobis pacem, I agree Boult/LPO is awesome; it's a mighty, profound and beautifully touching, and the singers are powerful and moving too; a superbly crafted recording.
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

vers la flamme

DNP is one of my favorite RVW works and I have two recordings. The first I ever got was Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony, and I may be biased because that's the home team, but it sounds excellent to me. Spano was a big fan of RVW and programmed his works a lot during his directorship here which ended last year. The other I have is Hickox in London which I remember being quite a bit slower, but also very good.

@Ilaria, I must hear the Boult, is this it?


Lisztianwagner

Quote from: vers la flamme on March 19, 2023, 08:05:22 AMDNP is one of my favorite RVW works and I have two recordings. The first I ever got was Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony, and I may be biased because that's the home team, but it sounds excellent to me. Spano was a big fan of RVW and programmed his works a lot during his directorship here which ended last year. The other I have is Hickox in London which I remember being quite a bit slower, but also very good.

@Ilaria, I must hear the Boult, is this it?


@vers la flamme You should definitely have a listen to it, I'm sure you'll like Boult! 😊
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

vandermolen

Quote from: vers la flamme on March 19, 2023, 08:05:22 AMDNP is one of my favorite RVW works and I have two recordings. The first I ever got was Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony, and I may be biased because that's the home team, but it sounds excellent to me. Spano was a big fan of RVW and programmed his works a lot during his directorship here which ended last year. The other I have is Hickox in London which I remember being quite a bit slower, but also very good.

@Ilaria, I must hear the Boult, is this it?


The Spano is very good and that nice compilation on EMI/Warner does feature Boult's excellent DNP.
"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).

vandermolen

I still have a soft spot for this fine old recording of both works:
"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).

relm1

#6312
Quote from: vandermolen on March 19, 2023, 05:44:00 AMDona Nobis Pacem has been well-served on disc. I do not know of a 'bad' recording. Do you have a favourite version and if so why?
My favorite is Hickox/LSO.  It's so deeply moving, the most prominent organ, and highlights the clashing harmonies so well plus excellent soloists.  It's the best I've heard.  A balance between nostalgia, tragedy and feeling...the essence of his poetry, just like Walt Whitman. 

vandermolen

Currently enjoying this fine version of DNP.
The Stephen Hough work impressed me more than on previous occasions:
"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).

Pohjolas Daughter

Quote from: vandermolen on March 18, 2023, 10:42:42 AMI like this new biography - a good modern overview.
Do you think that it sheds a lot of/some light on him?  I had started to read a scholarly review on it, but alas one can only read so much without being a member.  I did catch that there are some new things that are now available (perhaps letters) which weren't available before now.

PD
Pohjolas Daughter

vandermolen

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on March 20, 2023, 02:28:02 PMDo you think that it sheds a lot of/some light on him?  I had started to read a scholarly review on it, but alas one can only read so much without being a member.  I did catch that there are some new things that are now available (perhaps letters) which weren't available before now.

PD
It deals with VW's relationship with Ursula, for example, before Adeline's death which was largely avoided in the 'court biographies' by Ursula and Michael Kennedy. It tells us more about Adeline as well. I thought that it was a good overview but then so was the earlier biography by James Day.
"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).

Pohjolas Daughter

Quote from: vandermolen on March 21, 2023, 01:43:51 AMIt deals with VW's relationship with Ursula, for example, before Adeline's death which was largely avoided in the 'court biographies' by Ursula and Michael Kennedy. It tells us more about Adeline as well. I thought that it was a good overview but then so was the earlier biography by James Day.
Thanks for the information. :)

PD
Pohjolas Daughter

Papy Oli

Release 19/05 according to Presto.

Olivier

Maestro267

Staggering how much the original 1913 version of A London Symphony is prophetic of the sound world of Bax's symphonies 20 years later.

Roasted Swan

Quote from: Papy Oli on March 24, 2023, 08:45:38 AMRelease 19/05 according to Presto.



I've heard this and it is tremendous!!  Alessandro Fisher has a real italianate "ring" to his voice which you don't often associate with this repertoire and he sings with passion and conviction.  The Venables cycle is a worthy coupling and the Farringdon arrangement of the Four Hymns a gem and fine addition to the voice & quintet repertoire.