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Discussion: Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5, Tallis Fantasia - Spano

Posts: 19
Page: 1 2 next

Post by brenda April 28, 2007 (1 of 19)
Dear Scott, how does the performance, rather than the sound, compare to the Hickox?. Regards, B

Post by Windsurfer April 28, 2007 (2 of 19)
It puzzles me how under-appreciated the 5th symphony is. Taken on its own merits,without reference to other Vaughn Willams symphonies, I think it is very fine and worthy of repeated listening. I would say it is a very spiritual piece, much like some Bruckner, but without Bruckner's huge climaxes...and without any of Bruckner's amateur-like (clumsy) gestures.

Post by Livy April 30, 2007 (3 of 19)
brenda said:

Dear Scott, how does the performance, rather than the sound, compare to the Hickox?. Regards, B

This performance is, in general, more deliberate than Hickox. Spano emphasizes the brass and double bass line to a greater extent. This is not to say that the performance is dull or sluggish - accents and entries are sharp. He just allows the music to unfold at a slower pace. In the Finale, however, they are very similar.

Post by pgmdir May 14, 2007 (4 of 19)
I am disappointed by this performance. I'm afraid I much prefer Barbirolli or Boult. There were times when I thought the ghost of Mantovani had possessed Spano. Parts are quite beautiful, but on the whole, I found it lacking in tension and drama.

Post by Edvin May 14, 2007 (5 of 19)
Spano does put emphasis on the sheer beauty of the pieces, but calling it Mantovani is a bit too much. Especially since Mantovani has written a lot of non-sentimental music of high quality. My favorite is "Hatari".

Post by pgmdir May 14, 2007 (6 of 19)
That was Henry Mancini.

I listened to Menuhin's and Barbirolli's yesterday, and each had beauty galore--but with the needed tension. Doesn't matter, really. If you love the Spano, more power to you.

Post by Edvin May 14, 2007 (7 of 19)
Of course it was Mancini, stupid ol´ me.

I never really warmed to the Menuhin version and my favorite of all is the Previn RCA. But I have never heard a bad version of this symphony, the music is far too beautiful in itself. Well, maybe Slatkin and Hickox.

Post by terence May 14, 2007 (8 of 19)
Edvin said:

my favorite of all is the Previn RCA....

i think i would agree with that. stupendous playing from the LSO if i remember rightly.

Post by pgmdir May 15, 2007 (9 of 19)
Well--- I have to admit I've never heard a really bad one either. I had the Previn years ago, but the sound was a bit sub-par as I recall. By the way, I did enjoy Spano's inclusion of the original Thomas Tallis piece to compare to the Fantasia.

Post by Edvin May 15, 2007 (10 of 19)
The sound on the Previn RCA is a bit strange. I think RCA are using a rather worn tape copy. There are dropouts here and there and sometimes a shrill string sound. If you compare it to, say, the Pastoral you will find a much fuller sound on the latter. Maybe someone at BMG can locate the original tape someday.

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