01. Arnold Bax - Tintagel. Tone Poem* [15'02]
02. - 05. Ralph Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 5 in D major [38'32]
London Symphony Orchestra* and Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by John Barbirolli
EMI CDM5651102 (recorded December 1965* and May 1962; CD issued 1994)
(CD-rip; flacs, booklet, inlay and cover scans)
Recording venue: No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London* and Kingsway Hall, London
Recording engineers: Christopher Parker* and Harold Davidson.
Producers: Ronald Kinloch Anderson* and Victor Olof
Despite all of the fine recordings of Vaughan Williams' Fifth Symphony that have appeared over the years since this one by Barbirolli's was released, when the mood is right this performance can't be beaten. Many of Sir John's recordings from this era were hampered by the relatively low standards of his Halle Orchestra at the time, but here we have the Philharmonia in all its prime and glory. There had only been a few recordings of this masterpiece, premiered in 1943, before this one (three?) and this was the first in stereo. (The first recording, in 1944, was also by John Barbirolli, that time with the Halle.) This is one of the most serene and romantic performances of the work that I know. For those wanting a more objective, and perhaps darker, view Vernon Handley or Andrew Manze, both with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, may be a better choice.
I have posted this issue as it seems to be difficult to find outside of large boxed sets and the accompanying Tintagel seems even more scarce. The latter is an equally fine performance from the London Symphony with Barbirolli depicting the surging waves breaking on the castle ramparts with graphic majesty.
Download from MEGA.
