As for the Twelfth, I'm always reminded of my visit to Moscow a few years ago. Escorted, one of the items on the itinerary was a visit to the Underground Stations. "Really?" I sniffly asked, "Don't they realise that London has it's on tube network - and it's the oldest in the world too?" And as always, I was proved wrong - instead of the grotty, graffiti infested stations of London town, instead there were pristine stations with huge ceilings from which hung enormous chandeliers that in turn lit massive statues, mainly of men wielding sickles and hammers, their dungarees struggling to contain their huge pecs and biceps, whilst their square jaws jutted out, determined to play their part for the State. Of the People, for the People - if you like. And it is this resplendent magnificence, so showcased within those stations, that the Twelfth Symphony brings to my mind. I agree with John that, in particular, the Haitink recording displays this symphony in its best light - a magnificent recording, made by a magnificent orchestra in a magnificent hall, captured by the Decca engineers in all its sonic magnificence ! I've not heard it done better.
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