Cheap Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 7 & 8 (Music) (Ralph Vaughan Williams, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, Heather Harper) Price

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Customer Reviews of Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 7 & 8

A fairly dated, lackluster "Sinfonia Antartica"
The British rejoiced when Previn recorded a complete VW symphony cycle between 1967-72, because few foreign conductors had taken up the music. Even so, the Gramophone complains of this Sym. 7 "a small-scale literalness takes the shine off the Sinfonia antartica." RCA's sonics were never the best for the cycle, sounding at times dry and harsh. Previn's sense of the piece isn't heroic or tragic, nor at the most basic level of having enough forward motion does he keep the energy going. The LSO plays well, yet we now have readings from Vernon Handley and Haitink that are considerably better, not to mention the classic Boult versions in mono (Decca) and stereo (EMI). I do like the chorus, wordless soprano, and Ralph Richardson's sonorous snippets of narration at the beginning of each movement, but those aren't sufficient reason to collect his CD. <
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>The quirky and engaging Sym. 8, dating form VW's old age, is lighter stuff, and Previn handles it gracefuly. Because the composer has reached for more tragic and lofty expression in Sym. 4, 6, and 7, the Eighth came as something of a letdown, but in retrospect its dreamy, flighty ways have their own appeal. Previn, as in the previous work, doesn't bring the energy and commitment one gets from Boult and Handley. <
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Capturing the Mystery and Magnificence of the Antarctic
Like so many other classical composers who have written memorable music for film Ralph Vaughan Williams supplied the musical score for the movie 'Scott of the Antarctic' released in 1949. The experience so moved him that he happily transformed the elements of the film score into symphonic form for his Symphony No. 7 subtitled 'Sinfonia Antartica', a symphony that occupied his compositional time form 1949-1952. To the now developed thematic material Vaughan Williams wordless melismata for soprano and chorus as well as narrative introductions for each of the movements: Shelley's 'Prometheus Unbound', Psalm 104, Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 'Hymn before Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouri', John Donne, and finally, the deeply moving words from Captain Scott's last journal. <
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>Though there are many available recordings of this work, for this listener this 1987 recording with André Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, The Ambrosian Singers, soprano Heather Harper and narrator Sir Ralph Richardson is more to the original intent of the composer. The orchestral sounds are rich and lush, the icy mood of the region is embroidered by a fine section of percussion with piano, celesta, glockenspiel, vibraphone bells and of course the mysterious women's voices. The balance is superb, even with the entrance of the organ in the lento movement. Previn is full control and understanding of this sprawling score and he makes it work extremely well. <
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>The CD includes a fine performance of Vaughan Williams' subsequent Symphony No. 8, an inventive work that is too seldom performed these days. And here again Previn draws and impeccable performance from the London Symphony Orchestra. This CD is a treasure and a fine reminder of the enormous talent that was Ralph Vaughan Williams. Grady Harp, February 07

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Still the best Antarctica available by far
Andre Previn's account of the 7th symphony still provides the most rewarding experience for the listener of any recording I've heard of the work. Richardson's narration is unparallelled (most other recordings don't even have the narration!). Previn captures the dramatic tones very convincingly. The recording sounds enough like a film score (which in fact it was used for) but still sounds like a symphonic concert as well. The organ in the famous ice fall scene, with the great demands it presents for recording engineers, is well balanced but still shines forth with great impact; not quite as magnificent as the old Boult recording (on Decca, mono from the 1950s), but far better than any stereo rival. I hear the Andre Previn who brings Prokofiev ballet to life in this recording.
And, it is now available in a box containing all the symphonies and a sprinkling of other rewarding works too.
You can't go wrong, either with this or with the boxed set.