Notes and Editorial Reviews
André Previn's Vaughan Williams symphony cycle arguably is the best such offering on the market today, particularly given the difficulty of finding the similarly fine Handley and Slatkin sets domestically (or at all!). In contrast to Boult's famous EMI set, where his all-knowing conducting (he was a lifelong friend of the composer) occasionally takes on a relaxed and autumnal air, Previn's consistently vibrant renditions reflect his fresh encounters with the music. Not to say that he's always faster--Boult is noticeably quicker in many instances--yet, especially in the case of Nos. 3 and 5, Previn sounds more energized and involved despite his slower tempos. Previn also has at his disposal the London Symphony, which provides
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exceptionally robust playing throughout. Case in point: compare the LSO's playing in Previn's potent and dramatic No. 6 with Boult's generally listless London Philharmonic in the same work.
Previn's gripping Sinfonia Antartica and his profoundly atmospheric A London Symphony rank among the finest versions available. However, Previn must yield to Boult in A Sea Symphony, where Boult's grandiose vision and EMI's ravishing recording make a tremendous impression. RCA's sound, except for a really crummy No. 8 (did the master tape deteriorate?) is generally clear and well-balanced, with plenty of impact. Factor in the bonus works--the Violin concerto "Concerto accademico", the Tuba Concerto, and the "Three Portraits" from The England of Elizabeth--and you've got a handsome package of memorable, recommendable performances. The bargain price makes it all the more irresistible.
--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony no 1 "A sea symphony" by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performer:
Heather Harper (Soprano),
John Shirley-Quirk (Baritone)
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra,
London Symphony Chorus
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1903-1909; England
Language: English
2.
Symphony no 2 "London" by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1913/1920; England
3.
Symphony no 3 "Pastoral" by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performer:
Heather Harper (Soprano)
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1921; England
4.
Symphony no 4 in F minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931-1934; England
5.
Symphony no 5 in D major by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1938-1943; England
6.
Symphony no 6 in E minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1944-1947; England
7.
Symphony no 7 "Sinfonia antartica" by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performer:
Sir Ralph Richardson (Spoken Vocals),
Heather Harper (Soprano)
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra,
Ambrosian Singers
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1949-1952; England
8.
Symphony no 8 in D minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1956; England
9.
Symphony no 9 in E minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1956-1957; England
10.
Concerto for Violin in D minor "Concerto accademico" by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performer:
James Oliver Buswell (Violin)
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924-1925; England
11.
Concerto for Tuba in F minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performer:
John Fletcher (Tuba)
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1954; England
12.
The wasps: Overture by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1909; England
13.
The England of Elizabeth by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1955; England
Sound Samples
A Song for All Seas, All Ships (Andante maestoso)
On the Beach at Night, Alone (Largo sostenuto)
Scherzo: The Waves (Allegro brillante)
The Explorers (Grave e molto adagio)
Andante con moto; Maestoso alla marcia; Allegro; Epilogue
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