Search - Roy Henderson, Ralph Vaughan Williams, BBC Symphony Orchestra :: Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5; Dona Nobis Pacem

A treasure

Orgelbear | 05/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vaughan Williams was (unlike some composers) a superb interpreter of his own music. This rare example of RVW conducting for the microphone is made all the more wonderful for its amazingly good sound.



This performance of Symphony No. 5 comes from a 1952 Proms performance in Royal Albert Hall. It's a warm and gentle reading. In the first movement's closing pages, the composer leads the orchestra into a gradual unfolding of the climax rather than slamming into it as some conductors do. Similarly, the meditative slow movement has never sounded lovelier. Balances among the orchestra sections are carefully shaped. Being a live show, there is the occasional misstep from the players and some audience noise, but this adds to the sense of occasion rather than being distracting.



This BBC radio broadcast was captured on long-playing acetate discs, and the results are stunning. Instrumental color is preserved. There is real dynamic range. Louder passages avoid congestion. The excellent transfer to CD has captured some surface swishing from the acetate discs, but it's surprisingly unobtrusive.



I usually think of historical recordings as intellectually intriguing but disappointing listening experiences, Not this disc; it's a pleasure on all fronts. Only the most jaded digital sound junkie will fail to enjoy it. If I could only have one recording of this work, this would be it.



The state of recording art in 1936 was considerably less developed for the studio recording of "Dona Nobis Pacem", which has the usual defects of the time--tinny sound quality, congested climaxes. The sound is still good enough for the performance's spirit to come through, and it's well worth hearing. RVW approaches the work with a rough energy reminiscent of his famous HMV 4th Symphony recording. Renee Flynn's urgent soprano solos shine out, as does baritone Roy Henderson's eyebrow-raising vibrato. Definitely an historical artifact because of the sound, but a real bonus when coupled to the treasure of the 5th Symphony.



Urgently recommended.

"