Vernon Handley vs. Bryden Thomson vs. Richard Hickox

[Mirror Image]

These conductors seem to be three of the major British conductors of the last 30-35 years. Who do you prefer?

[Ataraxia]

I select: I have no idea. 

[Sergeant Rock]

Difficult to decide. All of them have cycles I love:


Handley: Bantock Vaughan Williams Stanford Simpson Bax

Thomson: Nielsen Vaughan Williams Martinu Bax

Hickox: Britten Rubbra Grainger Delius Dyson Tippett

Hickox recorded the original version of the VW's Second...and that Rubbra cycle is phenomenal...but then, so is Handley's Simpson and Bantock. Damn...

Okay, after not so much thought, and definitely not deep,  Hickox gets my vote 

Sarge

[madaboutmahler]

Another hard poll, John!

Voted for Handley.

Amazing recordings of Elgar, and also the conductor for Simpson!

[Lisztianwagner]

I voted for Richard Hickox; he made wonderful recordings of Holst's works.

[DavidW]

Another hard poll, John!

Voted for Handley.

Amazing recordings of Elgar, and also the conductor for Simpson!

+1 exactly my thoughts, and don't forget rvw.

[Mirror Image]

+1 exactly my thoughts, and don't forget rvw.

I'm not fond of Handley's RVW recordings. There's something missing in them. I do like Hickox's earlier RVW recordings but I don't like his later ones at all except for the recording of the original version of A London Symphony. That was a fantastic recording.

[Mirror Image]

After some fierce debate within my own mind, I voted for Hickox. The reason being is for his outstanding contributions to Rubbra, Britten, Alwyn, Tippett, Delius, his early RVW EMI recordings, among others.

[Sergeant Rock]

After some fierce debate within my own mind, I voted for Hickox.

I'm surprised. I thought you'd go for Thomson.

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

I'm surprised. I thought you'd go for Thomson.

Sarge

Well I'm full of surprises aren't I?

[Sergeant Rock]

Well I'm full of surprises aren't I?

Apparently! 

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

I hope Lethe checks in. I'm curious who she'd vote for.

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

I love all three conductors but I admire Hickox's dedication to British composers more than Handley's or Thomson's. Be thankful I didn't add in a fourth wheel, which, in this case, would Andrew Davis.

[Ataraxia]

I checked and I have nothing by these conductors. 

[Wanderer]

I see no reason nor have I any inclination to choose. I would if I felt one was somehow subpar or above the others but I don't. Artistically, I feel they're more or less on the same high level and all three have made recordings I greatly enjoy and of repertoire often off the beaten path. I want my banana now. :-)

[eyeresist]

David Lloyd-Jones.

[Mirror Image]

David Lloyd-Jones.

Ah, the inevitable fifth wheel.

[eyeresist]

Ah, the inevitable fifth wheel.

Yep - we call that the steering wheel

[Mirror Image]

Yep - we call that the steering wheel

[Bulldog]

I'm for Hickox who recorded some excellent PI works in addition to many British composers.