Best of Barbirolli

[msw design]

In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.

I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.

To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

[c***@gmail.com]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

Fwiw, the Mindru Katz/Barbirolli "Emperor" Concerto is a great favorite of mine. A brilliant performance. Too bad they didn't record more together

AC

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

Fwiw, the Mindru Katz/Barbirolli "Emperor" Concerto is a great favorite of mine. A brilliant performance. Too bad they didn't record more together
AC

I love several of his Halle recordings that appeared on Pye (and Vanguard in the U.S.) and have since turned up on EMI and Dutton. His Tchaikovsky 4 and 5 are thrilling, wonderful in every way (the slow movement of the 4th is especially eloquent). His Halle Enigma is very exciting, as is his Sibelius 5. As an accompanist, he is superb in his Elgar Cello Concerto with DuPre and the Mahler Ruckert lieder with Janet Baker (the Halle "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" even more magical than their New Philharmonia remake). One of the funniest "Tritsch-Tratsch" Polkas I have ever heard is on his "Viennese Evening at the Proms" disc from August 9, 1969, with the Halle on BBC Legends. I must say, however, that his much-acclaimed Royal Phil Sibelius 2 on Chesky and his Mahler 5 with the New Philharmonia on EMI are disappointingly stodgy to my ears.

Mark

[AB]

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

Fwiw, the Mindru Katz/Barbirolli "Emperor" Concerto is a great favorite of mine. A brilliant performance. Too bad they didn't record more together
AC

have that recording.. not impressed by Barbirolli, Katz is tremendous
AB

[Andrew Clarke]

Post by AB

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

Fwiw, the Mindru Katz/Barbirolli "Emperor" Concerto is a great favorite of mine. A brilliant performance. Too bad they didn't record more together
AC

have that recording.. not impressed by Barbirolli, Katz is tremendous
AB

Is 'Katz' the Broadway musical, based on verse by TS Eliot, and produced by Byelostock & Bloom? You can see its name in lights as the credits roll at the end of "The Producers".

Andrew Clarke
Canberra

[RANDY WOLFGANG]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

His Beethoven 3!!!!

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

https://www.talkclassical.com/34918-thoughts-about-glorious-john.html

[r***@gmail.com]

I still keep his stereo Sibelius cycle partly for sentimental reasons, and a broad approach. Berglund/Bournemouth my go to cycle. Maazel VPO next, followed by Davis Boston SO.

JB's Mahler 9th with the BPO and some Mahler lied.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Arno Schuh]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli
recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for
him, but for me.

Probably because it was the second or third version of the Berlioz Symphonie
Fantastique I ever listened to - it still is one of my favourite recording
of that piece.

Arno

[Joe]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.

I imprinted on the Barenboim/Barbirolli Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto many years ago--indulgent no doubt, but I don't know that I've enjoyed any version more.

Joe Markley
Plantsville, Connecticut

[H***@comcast.net]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

One massive omission! His three recordings of the Elgar First Sympony.

[Alex Brown]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

From my collection, the two Barbirolli things which stand out are:

* His studio 1960s Pomp & Circumstance marches with the Philharmonia on
EMI. These have that extra bit of colour and life that make them special.

* His Bruckner 8 on BBC Legends (Hallé, Proms, 1970) - a surprisingly
fleet and anguished reading.

[Alan Hayward]

Post by Alex Brown
* His Bruckner 8 on BBC Legends (Hallé, Proms, 1970) - a surprisingly
fleet and anguished reading.

For me, that Bruckner 8 is rather special. Fast tempi, as you suggest, and quite different from Karajan's last recording of the same version (Haas 1890). "Anguished" is one way to describe the performance. I remember one reviewer (I forget who) quoting Dylan Thomas to describe it: "Do not go gentle into that that good night, rage, rage against the dying of the light". I am reminded of that every time I hear the performance.

Incidentally, this was JB's last London concert (Festival Hall, 20 May 1970). It was too early for the Proms.

[Randy Lane]

Grieg Norwegian Dances with the Halle on this twofer:

https://www.amazon.com/Orchestral-Works-Grieg/dp/B0007RA7B8/

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by Randy Lane
https://www.amazon.com/Orchestral-Works-Grieg/dp/B0007RA7B8/

http://townline.org/review-potpourri-sir-john-barbirolli-conducting-the-halle-orchestra/

[Alex Brown]

Post by Alan Hayward
Incidentally, this was JB's last London concert (Festival Hall, 20

May > 1970). It was too early for the Proms.

You're quite right. It almost sounds too good (for it *is* well
recorded) to be the RFH !

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

Mozart Violin Concerto #5:

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/my-favorite-classical-recordings/

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

https://books.google.com/books?id=IWBSEY8rNmoC&pg=PA70&dq=%22Another+such+incident+involved+Sir+John+Barbirolli%27s+recording+of+Mahler%27s+Fifth+Symphony.%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwimyZTVt8_jAhVKLKwKHe8iD1YQ6AEIKjAA#v=onepage&q=%22Another%20such%20incident%20involved%20Sir%20John%20Barbirolli's%20recording%20of%20Mahler's%20Fifth%20Symphony.%22&f=false

[Jerry]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

https://books.google.com/books?id=IWBSEY8rNmoC&pg=PA70&dq=%22Another+such+incident+involved+Sir+John+Barbirolli%27s+recording+of+Mahler%27s+Fifth+Symphony.%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwimyZTVt8_jAhVKLKwKHe8iD1YQ6AEIKjAA#v=onepage&q=%22Another%20such%20incident%20involved%20Sir%20John%20Barbirolli's%20recording%20of%20Mahler's%20Fifth%20Symphony.%22&f=false

Symes (or rather the reference he cited) got it wrong here by claiming
the horn correction appeared on the GROC CD reissue.

According to Gramophone reviewer Edward Seckerson (11/88), the
EMI Studio CD CDM 7 69186 2 "Among minor orchestral mishaps in
the Scherzo, were four bars of missing horn obbligato (at nine bars
before figure 20). Not any more. The original solo horn
player, Nicholas Busch, has returned to the scene of this
monumental aberration (Watford Town Hall) and the absent bars
have been ingeniously (you would never know) reinstated.

The 3/99 Gramophone review by DSG for CDM 5 66910 2 (GROC reissue)
states that "Worse, the Scherzo has again lost the horn obliggato
from 12'14" (bars 541-4) - successfully stitched into EMI's
previous digital remastering (11/88), overlooked here."

I do not have the GROC (nor am I likely to buy it), but can
confirm that the earlier EMI Studio release has the added
horn at the specified spot.

Jerry

[Jerry]

I continue to derive a great deal of satisfaction from reacquainting myself with Symes’ scholarly volume “Setting the Record Straight,” but must question another of the references he cites on the very same p. 70 as the Barbirolli Mahler 5th citation.

He repeats Chanan’s comment that “…Kirsten Flagstad’s (high C was) was re-sung by Elizabeth Schwarzkopf and dubbed onto Flagstad’s recording." Schwarzkopf’s version (quoted in Sam Shirakawa’s Furtwangler biography, “The Devil’s Music Master,” is that “Nobody cut anything in. I stood behind her and crept into the two high notes and sang them. You would never have noticed it.”
This may, perhaps, be a distinction without a difference, but I’ll take Schwarzkopf’s last word on this.

BTW, Schwarzkopf regretted that this incident was ever reported. She claims that she agreed to it out of admiration for Flagstad and to save the performance that would otherwise not have been put on record. She also quotes Flagstad who acknowledges that “I can still sing those high notes in a performance, but I can’t sing them five or six times again and again for a recording.”

Jerry

[Not a Dentist]

Post by Jerry
Symes (or rather the reference he cited) got it wrong here by claiming
the horn correction appeared on the GROC CD reissue.
According to Gramophone reviewer Edward Seckerson (11/88), the
EMI Studio CD CDM 7 69186 2 "Among minor orchestral mishaps in
the Scherzo, were four bars of missing horn obbligato (at nine bars
before figure 20). Not any more. The original solo horn
player, Nicholas Busch, has returned to the scene of this
monumental aberration (Watford Town Hall) and the absent bars
have been ingeniously (you would never know) reinstated.
The 3/99 Gramophone review by DSG for CDM 5 66910 2 (GROC reissue)
states that "Worse, the Scherzo has again lost the horn obliggato
from 12'14" (bars 541-4) - successfully stitched into EMI's
previous digital remastering (11/88), overlooked here."
I do not have the GROC (nor am I likely to buy it), but can
confirm that the earlier EMI Studio release has the added
horn at the specified spot.
Jerry

VERY HAPPY NEWS! in the 2013 EMI Masters reissue (5099943329052), the horn is indeed restored. A listen to the passage on the GROC version (also available for streaming on the Naxos Music Library site) reveals the glaring absence of the horn.

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

Concerning MADAMA B.:

- This is Barbirolli’s Butterfly; despite Scotto’s expressiveness and Bergonzi’s elegance, it’s the conductor’s contribution that gives this set its durability and its hold on the affections.

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/feature/puccinis-madama-butterfly

[gggg gggg]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

(Recent Y. upload):

Review: Bulldog Barbirolli's Mahler Boxed

[gggg gggg]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

(Recent Y. upload):

Review: Barbirolli's Complete New York Philharmonic Recordings

[gggg gggg]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

(Recent Y. upload):

Dave's Faves: My Personal Favorite Recordings No. 6 (Elgar and Vaughan Williams)

[gggg gggg]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

(Recent Y. upload):

Review: Barbirolli's Classic Elgar Boxed and Beautiful

[gggg gggg]

Post by msw design
In honor of Randy hunting down his Korean 100-Cd box of Barbirolli recordings, Here's a place to name your favorites. It's not just for him, but for me.
I used to count JB as one of my three favorite conductors, but that was a long time ago. I still find his Vaughan Williams and Elgar among the best and but reach for his other recordings quite infrequently.
To my ears, the most reliable JB recordings are his NY Phil ones- I've never heard one that disappointed me. The Tchaikovsky 5/Schumann 4 disc comes to mind. But mostly I haven't listend to him much in recent years. If others have some suggestions, I might reacquaint myself more.

(Recent Y. upload):

Warner's Barbirolli Box Bonanza (Preview: His 10 Best Recordings for ClassicsToday.com Subscribers)