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Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 5 & 9 - Pappano

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 5 & 9 - Pappano

LSO Live  LSO0900

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Orchestral


London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor)

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Review by Graham Williams - October 22, 2025

The opening instalment in Sir Antonio Pappano’s projected Vaughan Williams symphony cycle with the London Symphony Orchestra was a coupling of the composer’s Symphonies 4 and 6 that appeared in 2021 and garnered widespread critical praise for the conductor’s thrilling and insightful interpretations of these two works.

Four years on, this latest issue couples one of the composer’s most performed symphonies – the 5th premiered in 1943 during World War II – with the 9th regarded by some as “a tough nut to crack”. Pappano’s powerful and totally committed account of the latter recorded live at the Barbican on 15th December 2024 will surely go a long way to convince naysayers that the 84 year old composer had lost any of his inspiration and orchestral mastery. One important feature of the piece is its innovative scoring that includes a flugelhorn, three saxophones and a large percussion section (snare drum, tenor drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tam-tam, deep bells, glockenspiel, xylophone and celesta) used with restraint. Pappano and the LSO pull no punches in delivering this often enigmatic symphony. His purposeful conducting and assured playing from the orchestra, attuned to both the subtle tonal palette and granite like architecture of the piece, ensure the work’s elusive blend of austerity and radiance is delivered with absolute conviction.

The Fifth Symphony, drawn from performances on 12 and 14 April 2024, receives a reading of luminous poise and spiritual depth. Pappano stands comfortably in the lineage of such distinguished interpreters as Boult, Previn, and Hickox, matching their authority while bringing a fresh sense of refinement and transparency. Tempi throughout are judiciously chosen, and the orchestra’s glowing tone and finely balanced textures are superbly caught by the Classic Sound team on this SACD in a fine DSD256fs recording.

As with recent LSO Live issues, the presentation is exemplary: the disc is housed in a sturdy book-style package complete with full liner notes and artist biographies.

This is a release of distinction and a firm recommendation for both seasoned Vaughan Williams admirers and newcomers alike. I look forward to the next release in this cycle.

Copyright © 2025 Graham Williams and HRAudio.net

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Comment by hiredfox - September 14, 2025 (1 of 6)

This will be interesting. Not the sort of repertoire one normally assocaites with Pappano.

Comment by Graham Williams - September 15, 2025 (2 of 6)

You do know that he has already recorded Symphonies 4 and 6 for LSO Live in 2021?

I understand that a complete cycle of RVW symphonies from Pappano will gradually emerge.

Comment by breydon_music - September 16, 2025 (3 of 6)

That is excellent news given the quality of both sound and performance on the extant disc. No.5 is not the pastoral symphony it may on the surface appear to be, and I look forward to Pappano's take on this. I confess that nos.8 and 9 have always eluded me, so I am hopeful that this might be the breakthrough disc (like Gaffigan's Prokofiev and Gilbert's Nielsen) which allows me to enter into its world. It's been said elsewhere on this forum of late, but Classic Sound are now producing really excellent sound out of the Barbican.

Comment by hiredfox - September 19, 2025 (4 of 6)

I missed the earlier release for some reason Graham so thanks for the reminder.

RVW's symphonies are patchy with one or two exceptions and can be uninvolving verging on tedious. No 5 is one of the more accessible for me but No 9 has failed to ignite any passion so far in my long listening life.

Comment by Marcus DiBenedetto - September 19, 2025 (5 of 6)

Not scheduled for digital release until 09-26-2025. I'm looking forward to this one, especially for Symphony #5's third movement, Romanza. I watched Conductor Pappano perform this movement, several months ago, on YouTube and was very impressed.

Comment by Marcus DiBenedetto - October 10, 2025 (6 of 6)

Native DSD finally released this album in DXD. I have both 5.1 and 2.0 versions. I love RVW's music. I own the Hickox versions and others. Up until now, Hickox was my favorite. But, Pappano is now my preferred versions. Dynamic range is huge. Instruments are easily identified and in a broad and deep sound field.

John Quinn at MusicWeb International writes: "...I think this is an exceptionally fine disc. It’s a worthy follow-up to the preceding pairing of the Fourth and Sixth symphonies. If Pappano and his orchestra maintain this standard of interpretation and execution – and I can see no reason why they wouldn’t – this could come to be regarded as one of the finest VW symphony cycles of all."