Vaughan Williams: Symphony No.4, Sibelius: Symphony No.4: Sargent / BBC SO

Sir Malcolm Sargent (1895 ? 1967) makes his debut on BBC Legends. After an illustrious period with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic where he made over 100 recordings, he succeeded Sir Adrian Boult as chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra (1950-57), and then remained very closely associated with the London Proms at the Royal Albert Hall until his death in 1967. He toured extensively to the US, Canada, Japan and Europe. He also had a very strong reputation as an accompanist and recorded with Curzon, Heifetz, Rostropovich, Oistrakh, Du Pre and Tortelier to name just a few.

This all-stereo CD showcases Sargent in Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 4 and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 4, both of which he never recorded. The Penguin Guide wrote in 1995 (a review of the BBC Radio Classics version of Vaughan Williams’ 4th Symphony) that it had “a warmth and fiery thrust that is instantly compelling…Sargent is here far more electrifying than he was in the recording studio.”

Sibelius was one of Sargent’s favourite composers and he recorded in the studio for EMI, Symphonies 1, 2 & 5 (all with the BBCSO), as well as Pohjola’s Daughter and Finlandia with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 4
Sibelius: Symphony No. 4

BBC Symphony Oechestra
Sir Malcolm Sargent, conductor

Live Stereo Recording:
16/08/1963 (Vaughan Williams)
02/09/1965 (Sibelius)
at The Royal Albert Hall, London