I love all of VWs Symphonies but the Fifth has such power and crippling emotional beauty that it's hard to beat. I've just finished listening to André Previn's/LSO VW cycle, so it's great to see Maestro Pappano conducting this beautiful movement. Nice horn solos, Tim. It's time we had another Vaughan Williams' Symphonies cycle from the LSO on CD. Hopefully, Maestro Pappano has more for us in the future.
A wonderful way to enjoy brunch on a Sunday morning. I *really* have to visit London again just to take in a LSO concert. I've wanted to do that since hearing the album came out with that 1977 movie...
I visited London from 12 to 17 April 2024. One of the very things I wanted to do there it was to attend to that specific concert by Vaughan Williams but unfortunatelly on April 18 I was flying to Argentina. I absolutely love the Romanza and I will buy this recording on CD.
British classical music of the 20th century was defined by the works of Benjamin Britten and Edward Elgar. But for Sir Andrew Davis, another composer belongs to this pantheon: Ralph Vaughan Williams. Due to the breadth of emotional and compositional range, there are a number of entry points into Vaughan Williams' work. For me, the moment of discovery came while listening to the Fifth Symphony in D major. At first glance, the Fifth is one of Williams' simplest works, and more than arguably his purest and most beautiful. Dedicated to Jean Sibelius, it was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall, under the composer's direction in the midst of the upheavals of war. This poetry, in particular the nostalgia for his Romanza (Lento) is the summit of the work. Williams took up the symphony after meeting Ursula Wood in 1938, his future second wife, who offered him musical and personal rejuvenation. He found inspiration by piecing together scraps from other works, including an opera he feared he would not complete, The Pilgrim's Progress, and brief contributions to a show he had directed « England’s Pleasant Land » a way out of a musical and civilizational collapse. In other words, the Fifth is a symphony about hope. *Lucien*
Exquisite music and playing. I’m never sure why Aaron Copland was so critical of this amazing symphony. Maestro Pappano is really growing into his role. Lovely interpretations and getting superb sound from the orchestra. The great Julien Beaudiment on guest principal flute. Hire ;)
A singularity memorable moment in this symphony & music from this movement was used in the later PILGRIM‘S PROGRESS i believe. It represents the amazingly beautiful spiritual aspect of Vaughan-Williams music which is what moves me the most in his music like THE TALLIS FANTASIA, THE LARK ASCENDING, & VARIATIONS ON DIVES OF LAZARUS.
Thanks for the upload. I would love to hear the last movement, Barbirolli’s mid 60’s recording with the Philharmonia remains the benchmark for me, as yet to hear anything finer. I’m sure the excellent Pappano would give us a great interpretation.
The stream is now on Marquee TV, the LSO partner and subscription service, 😊 I just checked and the whole concert is up and available for free with no subscription if you join Marquee TV
