Deryk Barker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Interestingly enough Edward Downes refused to record 1 for Naxos,
>considering it too jingoistic, and only agreed to do 2.

Maybe it is the way Downes conducts it.  His replacement - George Hurst
- conducts a reading which in the finale opens out with great passion,
propulsion and energy.  I find much of Downes' 2nd a bit overcooked
and slow.  The crescendo in the 4th mvmt is impressive but I miss the
underpinning effect of the organ (compare with the more impressive
LPO/Slatkin).  Do the BBCSO/Davis on Warner Apex use an organ in the
4th mvmt?

David Harbin
Nottingham, UK