Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn in Bf Op56a; Tragic Overture in Dm Op81

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sir Adrian Boult made his reputation almost entirely as a conductor of English music, which was a good thing because the few records he made of "international" composers were almost invariably sloppy, or dull, or both. His Brahms was an exception, however. It was so good that EMI actually recorded a complete symphony cycle with him--alas out of print. This two-disc compilation, however, includes very good performances of the two serenades, the two overtures, and a couple of other works. Serenade No. 1, in particular, has a freshness and charm that makes it one of the very finest versions available. The recording sounds very fine too. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Academic Festival Ov, Op.80
Ser No.1 in D, Op.11: I. Allegro Molto
Ser No.1 in D, Op.11: II. Scherzo (Allegro Non Troppo)/Trio (Poco Piu Moto)
Ser No.1 in D, Op.11: III. Adagio Non Troppo
Ser No.1 in D, Op.11: IV. Menuetto I-Menuetto II
Ser No.1 in D, Op.11: V. Scherzo (Allegro)
Ser No.1 in D, Op.11: VI. Rondo (Allegro)
Alt Rhap, Op.53 - Dame Janet Baker

Tracks:

Tragic Ov, Op.81 - LSO/Sir Adrian Boult
Ser No.2 in A, Op.16: I. Allegro Moderato
Ser No.2 in A, Op.16: II. Scherzo (Vivace)
Ser No.2 in A, Op.16: III. Adagio Non Troppo
Ser No.2 in A, Op.16: IV. Quasi Menuetto
Ser No.2 in A, Op.16: V. Rondo (Allegro)
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: Theme (Andante) [Chorale: St Antoni]
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: I. Poco Piu Animato
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: II. Piu Vivace
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: III. Con Moto
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: IV. Andante Con Moto
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: V. Vivace
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: VI. Vivace
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: VII. Grazioso
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: VIII. Presto Non Troppo
Vars On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: IX. Finale (Andante)

Amazon.com

Sir Adrian Boult made his reputation almost entirely as a conductor of English music, which was a good thing because the few records he made of "international" composers were almost invariably sloppy, or dull, or both. His Brahms was an exception, however. It was so good that EMI actually recorded a complete symphony cycle with him--alas out of print. This two-disc compilation, however, includes very good performances of the two serenades, the two overtures, and a couple of other works. Serenade No. 1, in particular, has a freshness and charm that makes it one of the very finest versions available. The recording sounds very fine too. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Brisk, no-nonsense Brahms, but an outstanding Alto Rhapsody.......2006-06-18

It's a great bargain to have both of Brahms's sunny Serenades on a two-fer with his two overtures and the moving Alto Rhapsody. Adrian Boult was always a clear-eyed, unsentimental conductor, but perhaps he goes too far here. I'd like to hear the Academic Festival Over. done with affection, not simply run through its paces. The serenades are better, in parts, because they benefit from a light, quick approach--too often they seem to be conducted with as much weight as the symphonies. But quite often Boult rushes the tempo in slow movements and seems impatient with Brahms's genial, relaxed humor. (These recordings were made near his death in 1983, and like Stokowski and Toscanini, Boult sped up in old age.)

The Tragic Over. is a dud, for the simple fact that Boult's account isn't remotely tragic; it's brisk and loud, and again he seems impatient to get things over with. The Haydn Variations find him adhering to more ocnventional speeds, and although the mood is sitll no-nonsense, his reading has its exciting moments.

That leaves us with the real gem of the set, the Alto Rhapsody with Janet Baker, a recording that thrilled me when I first heard it on LP in the early Seventies. I sitll think that Baker, although not an alto, sings with more fervor and religoius exaltation than anyone else, and Boult's faster tempo adds to the tension; the singing by the John Aldis Choir is also unsurpassed.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Still Waiting For Spring

Vivaldi: Salmi a due cori

Years Since Yesterday

Shaken Not Stirred Jazz

Sound System [Import]

Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds, Vol. 1

What a Diff'rence a Day Makes! [Gold CD]

Vivaldi: Concertos for Oboe & Bassoon

Viva Mexico

We Have a Thing [CD-single]

Without a Sound

Vivo Centroamerica

Xonidero: La Historia Continua

Hallelujahs

1934-1935