John G. Deacon wrote:

>The other Saturday Humphrey Burton set to comparing various versions,
>on BBC R3's Building a Record Library, and I was most interested to be
>reminded of the Barbirolli version because whereas the conductor came in
>for much criticism, at the time of the original release, for his slow and
>studied tempi Burton reminded listeners as to just what a sensational team
>of soloists had been assembled for the recording

It's clear from Kennedy's biography that Sir John considered this to
be one of his most important projects.  It is a disappointment, though.
Knowing Sir John's propensity for fire and fury, it is a bit staid.

Mention of the great team of soloists reminds me that, when he performed
it live, JB was in the habit of engaging David Hughes as his Tenor.  John
will, I'm sure, join other British list members over a certain age in
recalling David Hughes who started out as a 1950s pop singer with a couple
of Number One hits and then "crossed over" to become a classical tenor.
Barbirolli regarded Hughes as something of a protege though his enthusiasm
wasn't widely shared.

>Burton came down in favour of Bernstein as his top recommendation (full of
>fire, drama and theatre) which is odd in the sense that Roy Ellefsen's
>survey didn't mention him at all.

I can't say I was surprised at his choice.  The Bernstein recording was
made in an empty Royal Albert Hall at the same time as a TV recording was
made in Saint Paul's Cathedral.  I'm sure it's still around on video.
Watch the credits for the name of the TV Director - Humphrey Burton.

By the way, that Bernstein Royal Albert Hall version was balanced by Bob
Auger who sadly died a few weeks ago in Swansea aged 70.

Tony Duggan
Staffordshire,
United Kingdom.