These performances, captured in good, clear mono sound, preserve Adrian Boult’s finest interpretations of both symphonies. His later EMI recordings feature an LPO in generally finer form, but lack the intensity and excitement that communicates so readily through the speakers here. The differences, in such passages as the scherzo and finale of the Fourth Symphony, or the first and third movements of the Sixth, are immediately obvious at even a cursory comparison. The composer himself contributes an eloquent “thank you” at the end of the disc, noting especially the hushed intensity of the playing of the Sixth Symphony’s mysterious Epilogue. Special it certainly is, though these recordings really cry out for careful remastering: the abundant hiss becomes annoying in pianissimo passages such as this finale. Still, as they were last available only on the rather obscure Belart label, it’s good to see these classic recordings offered for (at least theoretically) more general distribution.
