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Assorted items => Commercial recordings (vintage, new and forthcoming) => Topic started by: patmos.beje on August 30, 2018, 08:49:21 pm



Title: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: patmos.beje on August 30, 2018, 08:49:21 pm

See: https://www.mdt.co.uk/vaughan-williams-a-sea-symphony-bbc-so-brabbins-hyperion-records.html


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Dundonnell on August 31, 2018, 12:49:38 am
I heard Brabbins conduct the Sea Symphony at the Edinburgh Festival a week or two ago. It was certainly a rousing performance and, in parts, very moving.

Whether I would want to add another version to my own collection is another matter.


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: relm1 on August 31, 2018, 01:25:50 am
I just don't see any reason to replace Haitink's perfect version but others prove me wrong.  It is perfect in interpretation, recording, and performance.  Moving, elegant, dreamy, longing, monumental. 


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Dundonnell on August 31, 2018, 01:58:17 am
I just don't see any reason to replace Haitink's perfect version but others prove me wrong.  It is perfect in interpretation, recording, and performance.  Moving, elegant, dreamy, longing, monumental. 

I agree with you entirely. Others, of course, do not.


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: guest128 on August 31, 2018, 02:43:45 am
I just don't see any reason to replace Haitink's perfect version but others prove me wrong.  It is perfect in interpretation, recording, and performance.  Moving, elegant, dreamy, longing, monumental. 

I agree with you entirely. Others, of course, do not.

Me included.  Among other significant imperfections is Felicity Lott, - just far too stylistically operatic for my taste.  My own long time favorite is the Boult stereo version, infinitely more idiomatic than Haitink (who really doesn't "get" Vaughan Williams, - it's an outsider's approach), and Shelia Armstrong & John Carol Case beat everyone else in my judgment (their "Explorers" is just terrific).


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Expi on August 31, 2018, 10:15:23 am
The second recording of a VW symphonie under Brabbins at Hyperion records. Maybe a new cycle ????


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: guest145 on August 31, 2018, 12:39:16 pm
Quote
Quote
I just don't see any reason to replace Haitink's perfect version but others prove me wrong.  It is perfect in interpretation, recording, and performance.  Moving, elegant, dreamy, longing, monumental...

...My own long time favorite is the Boult stereo version, infinitely more idiomatic than Haitink (who really doesn't "get" Vaughan Williams, - it's an outsider's approach), and Shelia Armstrong & John Carol Case beat everyone else in my judgment (their "Explorers" is just terrific).

I've heard many fine recordings and performances of RVW 1, but none has ever surpassed Boult/Armstrong/Case for me.


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Dundonnell on August 31, 2018, 01:14:57 pm
The second recording of a VW symphonie under Brabbins at Hyperion records. Maybe a new cycle ????

I believe so.


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Vandermolen on September 08, 2018, 09:56:17 pm
Much to my surprise this recording turned up at my house today, several weeks ahead of the advertised release date. Maybe because I ordered it directly from Hyperion. Anyway, I enjoyed the CD enormously. Initially I found the recording a bit cavernous and the soloists closely miked but I soon got used to it and was very gripped by the performance, slower in some sections than usual but very deeply felt throughout. I suspect that I shall be playing this version and the Haitink from now on. I'm not sure that it replaces the Haitink as my No.1 choice but it comes very close and I'm pleased to have acquired the CD. The short Whiman setting 'Darest thou now, O soul' (1925) only lasts just over three minutes but is rather moving.


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Dundonnell on September 08, 2018, 10:00:26 pm
Much to my surprise this recording turned up at my house today, several weeks ahead of the advertised release date. Maybe because I ordered it directly from Hyperion. Anyway, I enjoyed the CD enormously. Initially I found the recording a bit cavernous and the soloists closely miked but I soon got used to it and was very gripped by the performance, slower in some sections than usual but very deeply felt throughout. I suspect that I shall be playing this version and the Haitink from now on. I'm not sure that it replaces the Haitink as my No.1 choice but it comes very close and I'm pleased to have acquired. The short Whiman setting 'Darest thou now, O soul' (1925) only lasts just over three minutes but is rather moving.

Ah....another Haitink fan :)


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Vandermolen on September 08, 2018, 10:58:00 pm
Much to my surprise this recording turned up at my house today, several weeks ahead of the advertised release date. Maybe because I ordered it directly from Hyperion. Anyway, I enjoyed the CD enormously. Initially I found the recording a bit cavernous and the soloists closely miked but I soon got used to it and was very gripped by the performance, slower in some sections than usual but very deeply felt throughout. I suspect that I shall be playing this version and the Haitink from now on. I'm not sure that it replaces the Haitink as my No.1 choice but it comes very close and I'm pleased to have acquired. The short Whiman setting 'Darest thou now, O soul' (1925) only lasts just over three minutes but is rather moving.

Ah....another Haitink fan :)
Indeed! It was the Haitink recording which brought this work 'alive' for me after decades of ignoring it - an absolutely wonderful performance.


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: relm1 on September 09, 2018, 01:14:48 am
Much to my surprise this recording turned up at my house today, several weeks ahead of the advertised release date. Maybe because I ordered it directly from Hyperion. Anyway, I enjoyed the CD enormously. Initially I found the recording a bit cavernous and the soloists closely miked but I soon got used to it and was very gripped by the performance, slower in some sections than usual but very deeply felt throughout. I suspect that I shall be playing this version and the Haitink from now on. I'm not sure that it replaces the Haitink as my No.1 choice but it comes very close and I'm pleased to have acquired. The short Whiman setting 'Darest thou now, O soul' (1925) only lasts just over three minutes but is rather moving.

Ah....another Haitink fan :)
Indeed! It was the Haitink recording which brought this work 'alive' for me after decades of ignoring it - an absolutely wonderful performance.

I'm with you.  Haitink was a late discovery for me.  I heard Boult and Previn before but Haitink brought polish and maturity to the interpretation.  It was always thrilling but never before sounded as deep which is how I think of the work ultimately. 


Title: Re: Vaughan Williams 'A Sea Symphony' on Hyperion
Post by: Vandermolen on September 09, 2018, 07:36:04 am
Much to my surprise this recording turned up at my house today, several weeks ahead of the advertised release date. Maybe because I ordered it directly from Hyperion. Anyway, I enjoyed the CD enormously. Initially I found the recording a bit cavernous and the soloists closely miked but I soon got used to it and was very gripped by the performance, slower in some sections than usual but very deeply felt throughout. I suspect that I shall be playing this version and the Haitink from now on. I'm not sure that it replaces the Haitink as my No.1 choice but it comes very close and I'm pleased to have acquired. The short Whiman setting 'Darest thou now, O soul' (1925) only lasts just over three minutes but is rather moving.

Ah....another Haitink fan :)
Indeed! It was the Haitink recording which brought this work 'alive' for me after decades of ignoring it - an absolutely wonderful performance.

I'm with you.  Haitink was a late discovery for me.  I heard Boult and Previn before but Haitink brought polish and maturity to the interpretation.  It was always thrilling but never before sounded as deep which is how I think of the work ultimately. 
Yes, I agree. I had the Boult LP box for decades but only appreciated A Sea Symphony when I heard the Haitink recording. I was in my teens however when I bought the Boult set and maybe as I got older I gained a greater appreciation of choral works generally. Having said that I loved such works as Sancta Civitas and Howells's 'Hymnus Paradisi' when I was at university a few years later.