Steven Schwartz wrote:
>I might as well list my preferences [of Vaughan-Williams symphonies]:
>
>1 "Sea" - Boult (either recording)
>2 "London" - Boult, Barbirolli
>3 "Pastoral" - Boult
>4 - Vaughan Williams, Mitropoulos, Bernstein
>5 - Barbirolli, Previn (haven't yet heard Hickox, but it's on my list)
>6 - Previn, Boult
>7 - Boult
>8 - Boult
>9 - Boult (only recording I've heard)
Like Boult, do you?
A man after my own heart.
In England this year, I had the great experience of meeting Elgar's godson,
Wulstan Atkins, a fascinating, very interesting man. One thing, among
many, that we agreed on, is our admiration for Adrian Boult as a conductor.
I know some find him stodgy, but I almost never think that about his
performances. He has such a sense of nobility and, as ARG's Laurence
Hansen noted, he always seems to find the right tempo for a given part
of a work.
As for the list, other than the Hickox, which I don't know, every single
recording is a winner. I would add Previn's RCA recordings generally,
particularly No. 7. I've liked the three Handley recordings I've heard
(3, 5, 6, the latter from a different series, I think).
Also:
1. Andrew Davis, the one time I heard it.
2. the earlier Barbirolli with Halle might be a little better than his
newer one with the Philharmonia.
4. Berglund
6. Berglund, Andrew Davis
7. Bakels' 7, though sometimes it's a little fast. Andrew Davis is pretty
good, too.
8. Besides the early mono Boult, there are two other Boults I know of, one
on EMI and the other on London. I like both. I also like Barbirolli's on
Mercury.
9. Andrew Davis (liked it the one time I heard it). Some think Boult's
Everest is better than his better known EMI. I haven't heard it in many
years.
I'm not familiar with another famous series, Haitink's. I heard a splendid
Fifth with him in London a few years ago, though.
I add the notes about two Davis recordings because I often change my mind
after hearing something a second or third time.
Roger Hecht
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