Double double.(Ralph Vaughan Williams, Symphony No.4)(Sound Recording Review)

This time around Tom Lyle and I are comparing two recordings of Ralph Vaughan Williams's Symphony No.4, pitting a well regarded rendition from 1993 (can it really be more than a decade old, and we more than a decade older since it was released?) featuring the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin (RCA Victor Red Seal 09026-61194-2 421524) against a budget-priced newcomer featuring the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Daniel (Naxos 8.557276). The RCA release also includes the RVW Symphony No. 3 and Fantasia on Greensleeves, while the Naxos release includes the Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 and Flos Campi.

Following our time-honored ritual, Tom and I have resolutely refrained from discussing these two recordings with each other and have done our listening and writing completely independently. Because this is an even-numbered issue, Tom will lead off with his findings and then I will present things from my point of view.

TL: At least once Karl has apologized for being too brief in these pages, and I admit I wish he'd sometimes offer a bit more in the way of explanation when we pit one version against another. But I also remember agreeing that succinctness is preferable to wordiness. So I guess this time it's my turn to be more to the point, even though I feel a little guilty about it--I was the one who suggested that we use this symphony.

I don't know if it is reasonable just to declare the winner of this Double Double solely on the basis of its recording quality. If it were, there would be no contest, as the Paul Daniel version is far superior to the Leonard Slatkin. To us oldsters, the early 1990s seems like yesterday. But in reality, digital recording has come a long was since then, at least to these ears. Perhaps it is just the mastering of the CD, but the Slatkin seems primitive in comparison, having less treble energy, less bass, flatter dynamics, and much more digital midrange unpleasantness.

Still, there is a lot to like about the Slatkin disc. I've been listening to it for quite some time, and I think I might be exaggerating a bit about its poor sound quality just to make my point. He has a way with an orchestra that seems to be able to sort out a score no matter which piece he is performing. Some may complain his way with a score is "all business," but I tend to think he brings a clarity to many pieces that is lacking in other ...