Notes and Editorial Reviews
Every so often the major labels do something so intelligent it makes you wonder what has been going on the rest of the time. Here is a case in point. Constantin Silvestri was undoubtedly one of the 20th century’s great, if largely unappreciated, conductors. He delivers performances of The Wasps Overture and the Tallis Fantasia that remain reference recordings for both pieces, more famous versions by the likes of Boult and Barbirolli notwithstanding. Indeed, it’s something of a miracle that EMI recorded these performances at all. The Fantasia especially rises to a climax of such passion that it’s literally exhausting (first sound sample), and it’s magnificently recorded to boot.
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Originally, these two works were issued on an LP with Silvestri’s benchmark performance of Elgar’s In the South, and while it’s a pity to lose that work (you can find it elsewhere), EMI more than compensates by offering Berglund’s fiery and intense interpretation of Vaughan Williams’ Fourth Symphony, another performance that leaves all others in the dust. Just check out the opening of the finale (second sound sample). Not even RVW himself equalled this performance in sheer, pedal-to-the-metal violence and drive. Even the Oboe Concerto, not one of the composer’s stronger works–it’s basically a pastoral puddle of piece–receives an outstanding performance from Berglund and soloist John Williams.
The Fantasia, Overture, and Symphony all feature the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble that routinely outclasses the London competition, and was doing it back in the 60s and 70s, before British provincial orchestras achieved anything like their current status. Of course, having great conductors on the podium certainly helps. The concerto features Berglund leading the Royal Philharmonic, and they play just as well for him as does Bournemouth. Get this while you can.
-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony no 4 in F minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
Paavo Berglund
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931-1934; England
Date of Recording: 10/1979
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 31 Minutes 6 Secs.
2.
The wasps: Overture by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
Constantin Silvestri
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1909; England
Date of Recording: 09/07/1967
Venue: Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, Emgland
Length: 8 Minutes 27 Secs.
3.
Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performer:
Cedric Morgan (Viola),
Alan Turner (Cello),
Gerald Jarvis (Violin),
Roger Growcott (Violin)
Conductor:
Constantin Silvestri
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1910/1919; England
Date of Recording: 09/05/1967
Venue: Winchester Cathedral, London, England
Length: 16 Minutes 35 Secs.
4.
Concerto for Oboe in A minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performer:
John Wiiliams (Oboe)
Conductor:
Paavo Berglund
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1944; England
Date of Recording: 12/30/1974
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
Length: 18 Minutes 13 Secs.
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