Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony

Available for over a year

Ralph Vaughan Williams's A London Symphony. Mark Lowther makes a recommendation from the available recordings. Despite the sound of the famous Westminster chimes, the composer said that while the title may suggest a programmatic piece it was intended to be heard as absolute music. He suggested that "Symphony by a Londoner" might be a better title. Composer: Vaughan Williams Piece: A London Symphony Reviewer: Mark Lowther Recommended version: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley (conductor) Available on:“Vernon Handley: Champion of British Music”Coupled with: BLISS: Edinburgh Overture BORODIN: In the Steppes of Central Asia; Prince Igor Overture BRUCH: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 26 DELIUS: Pieces (2) for Small Orchestra; Brigg Fair ELGAR: Violin Concerto in B minor Op. 61FAURE: Pavane Op. 50; Masques et bergamasques Op. 112 FINZI: Eclogue Op. 10 MUSSORGSKY: A Night on the Bare Mountain RIMSKY KORSAKOV: Capriccio espagnol Op. 34; Russian Easter Festival Overture Op. 36 SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 47 TCHAIKOVSKY: Hamlet - Fantasy overture Op. 67 TIPPETT: Concerto for double string orchestra VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: The Lark Ascending; Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Symphony No. 2 'A London Symphony'WALTON: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, Tasmin Little (violin), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Nigel Kennedy (violin), Piers Lane (piano), David Nolan (violin), Diana Cummings (violin), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Vernon Handley (conductor) WARNER CLASSICS 0982022 (5CD) Other recommended recordings: Below is a shortlist of other recordings which Mark Lowther also liked, although we can’t guarantee the availability of these discs. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (conductor) WARNER CLASSICS 7493942 Coupled with VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Halle Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli (conductor) BARBIROLLI SOCIETY SJB1021 Coupled with VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 8 in D minor Original 1913 version London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox (conductor) CHANDOS CHAN9902 Coupled with: BUTTERWORTH, G: The Banks of Green Willow