I possess at least one recording of every Vaughan Williams symphony, except
No 8.  Could anyone suggest a suitable version of this work, which I've
never heard - not even on the radio?

Regarding the discussion about Vaughan Williams Symphonies which has
recently taken place, I would venture to promote the series of recordings
on EMI Eminence by Vernon Handley with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Orchestra.  However, I don't possess the disc featuring Symphonies Nos 2
& 8 in this series.  The rest of the series feature excellent recordings,
which are digital.  The transference onto the discs is at a low level, so
I find I need to set my volume abnormally high.  But the performances won't
disappoint.

What amazes me about the Vaughan Williams Symphonies is their range.  The
celebrated middle group of Nos 3, 4, 5 & 6 can be put into two distinct
camps, i.e.  the pastoral and the war-like, but other symphonies belong
in neither set (e.g.  No 1 or No 7).  Most of the symphonies work for me,
despite this astonishing range.  The one I've never got on with is No 2
(The 'London').  Perhaps I don't possess a good recording and it may well
be that I ought to purchase the Handley disc on EMI Eminence coupling No 2
with No 8!

I've just ordered a new release of the mighty Sixth by Bernard Haitink,
coupled with two pieces I don't possess at present, 'On Wenlock Edge' and
a piece I've long desired, i.e.  'In the Fen Country'.  Has anyone else
heard this yet? What do others think about the rest of Haitink's Vaughan
Williams cycle? Has Haitink recorded No 8 yet? (I don't think so, but I
may have missed it).

Ian Foster
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