Post by lee on Feb 6, 2009 11:25:18 GMT 1
Hi Stuart
I hope that you are well and that the weather is not interfering too much with your taxi-driving for your family!
Yes, that was a strange coincidence with the RVW4. Of course, Karajan did conduct the Tallis Fantasia fairly often and recorded it with the Philharmonia in the early 1950's - he also programmed it with the Berliners before being appointed Furtwangler's successor and a number of times in the 1970's too, normally as a first half of a concert finishing with a Bruckner symphony. To the best of my knowledge, there are no private tapings of these performances though. That said, I agree with you about the insights Karajan could have brought to this music - sadly, it would appear that recordings of both the RVW4 and 6 symphonies were considered with the Berliners during the 1980's. However, a combination of bad relations with the orchestra and then bad health on the part of the conductor scuppered any plans. A pity, since I agree with you that the terrifying soundworld of the sixth would be particularly suited to Karajan, likewise the fourth, which being closely modelled on Beethoven's 5th, could have elicited some profound insights.
Incidently, of the many VW symphony recordings that I own, it is the Previn (LSO) version of the sixth that impresses me the most, likewise with the fourth, the composers own recording, which is incredibly violent, belying the reputation of this most gentile of people. Which are you preferred versions ?
With best regards, Lee
I hope that you are well and that the weather is not interfering too much with your taxi-driving for your family!
Yes, that was a strange coincidence with the RVW4. Of course, Karajan did conduct the Tallis Fantasia fairly often and recorded it with the Philharmonia in the early 1950's - he also programmed it with the Berliners before being appointed Furtwangler's successor and a number of times in the 1970's too, normally as a first half of a concert finishing with a Bruckner symphony. To the best of my knowledge, there are no private tapings of these performances though. That said, I agree with you about the insights Karajan could have brought to this music - sadly, it would appear that recordings of both the RVW4 and 6 symphonies were considered with the Berliners during the 1980's. However, a combination of bad relations with the orchestra and then bad health on the part of the conductor scuppered any plans. A pity, since I agree with you that the terrifying soundworld of the sixth would be particularly suited to Karajan, likewise the fourth, which being closely modelled on Beethoven's 5th, could have elicited some profound insights.
Incidently, of the many VW symphony recordings that I own, it is the Previn (LSO) version of the sixth that impresses me the most, likewise with the fourth, the composers own recording, which is incredibly violent, belying the reputation of this most gentile of people. Which are you preferred versions ?
With best regards, Lee