Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony

Track Listings

1. The Banks Of Green Willow

2. A London Symphony: I. Lento-Allegro risoluto

3. A London Symphony: II. Lento

4. A London Symphony: III. Scherzo (Nocturne): Allegro vivace-Andantino

5. A London Symphony: IV. Andante con moto-Maestoso alla marcia (quasilento)-Allegro-Andantino ma sostenuto-Tempo primo-Allegro-Lento-Epilogue: Andante sostenuto-Lento

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Penned between 1911 and 1913 and first heard in May 1914, Vaughan Williams's A London Symphony was dedicated to the memory of George Butterworth (whose ravishing 1913 idyll The Banks of Green Willow opens proceedings here). It's the original version that Richard Hickox and the LSO champion so eloquently on this sumptuous-sounding Chandos issue--and a very different beast it is from Vaughan Williams's final revision of 1933.

For starters, there's more than a quarter of an hour of extra material, much of it genuinely inspired and brimful of wondrous poetry. VW's scoring, too, was never more colorful, and it's surely not too fanciful to detect many a foreshadowing of Holst's The Planets. More significant, the work takes on a darker, tragic dimension (nowhere more potently, perhaps, than in the slow movement), and there's an astonishing passage in the expanded epilogue that even anticipates the opening movement of the 1921 Pastoral Symphony. In hindsight, VW made all the right decisions (the scherzo's second half, haunting though it is, pales next to the shuddering intensity of the revised coda), but no one should miss the opportunity to experience his original thoughts in all their epic sweep and tingling vitality. Utterly compulsive listening, then, and a "must buy" if ever I heard one. --Andrew Achenbach

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Both these works were completed in 1913. A light, airy reading of The Banks of Green Willow makes an attractive prelude to the symphony, with its darker undercurrents, Hickox striking a satisfying mean between Sir Adrian Boult's restraint and Jeffrey Tate's overstriving for expression. (Since Butterworth so opposed German domination of English music, it must be purely my fancy that we hear a Wagner Ring motif at 1'57"/2'22"!)A London Symphony was posthumously dedicated to Butterworth, who had in... read more

Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony

Tracks:

Serenade To Music
English Folk Song Suite: I. March (Seventeen Come Sunday)
English Folk Song Suite: II. Intermezzo (My Bonny Boy)
English Folk Song Suite: III. March (Folk Songs From Somerset)
Norfolk Rhapsody No.1
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves'
In The Fen Country
The Lark Ascending

Customer Reviews:

Love Vaughn Williams.......2007-02-22

I bought this because Vaughan Williams has so many wonderful compositions. This particular recording contained many favorites including, but not exclusively the English Folk Song Suite conducted by Sir Adrian Boult and performed by the London Symphony... very moving!!!

Ralph!.......2007-01-09

Ralph Vaughn Williams at his best; lush, sometimes-inspiring presentation of a well-chosen collection of his works.

Good readings lacking passion in good sound.......2006-11-07

Many years after his death, Sir Adrian Boult continues to be admired as one of the linchpin -- and perhaps the archtype -- conductors of the music of his friend and countryman, Ralph Vaughan Williams. This recording, made in the autumnal years of Boutl's life, is a generous collection of bucolic English music from Vaughan Williams.

While these performances are lovely, as the other reviewers here have reported, they pale in comparison to the passion Boult provided earlier in his career. On a recording made from a Westminster LP, Boult provided more passionate and committed versions of the English Folk Song Suite, Greensleeves Fantasia and Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 linked to a dramatic reading of the Variations on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, one of Vaughan Williams most popular and enduring tunes.

Like the comparison between his early mono recordings of Vaughan Williams' symphonies and his later stereo recording, Boult was simply older and more at ease with the music in the later recordings. While they are still wonderful, the later stereo recordings lack some of the mystery and passion of his earlier work, especially his "Antartica" symphony. People that search the Internet relentlessly can locate the earlier recordings including a CD restoration of the old Westminster record.

For those not interested in that, these renderings of Serenade to Msuic, English Folk Song Suite, Norfolk Rhapsody No.1, Fantasia On 'Greensleeves', In The Fen Country and violinist Hugh Bean's The Lark Ascending are beautifully done at a lower voltage. Either gives you the ethereal Boult although his earlier recordings, sometimes in mono, give life and breadth to these works not reflected here.

Vaughn Williams: Serenade to Music.......2006-11-03

Fantastic recording. Having a British conductor (especially Sir Adrian Boult), with a British Orchestra, playing works composed by a British composer, brings an exhuburance and attention to detail not found in other recordings.

Tolkien, a cup of Darjeeling by the fire, and this CD.......2006-07-17

I laughed when I read one reviewer here who admitted that he liked to play this lovely CD while reading Tolkien. And why not? It's the magic of art to make those of us who live in the desert Southwest (or midtown Manhattan) believe we are atually in an English thatched cottage around the time of WW I, nourishing our English souls with the comforting music of Vaughan Williams.

There have been better, certainly more modern composers, but VW had the rare ability to evoke an entire culture. Every work here speaks of his total union with the English spirit, and these readings by Boult are beyond reproach. I don't traffic in "best recording ever" talk, and there are versions of the Serenade to Music that I cherish from Matthrew Best and (above all) Leonard Bernstein at the opening of Philharmonic Hall in 1962. Yet this would probably be the one CD I'd give a young friend to win him or her over to one of the most lovable and accessible of great composers.

Average customer rating:

This one bowled me over!
Hahn's freshness is nice, but she's not very involved
Powerful without sentimentality
Solid - Sensible - Brings the Piece Alive
ravishing and fresh

Elgar: Violin Concerto / Lark Ascending

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0002CX4Q8
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Molto
The Lark Ascending

Amazon.com

This is an oddly cool performance of one of the most overtly sentimental--indeed, gushing--pieces in the violin repertoire. In an effort simply to present, rather than interpret, the music, Hahn seems to have gone overboard--she plays with little portamento and vibrato, she keeps away from the music's soul. All that having been said, the playing itself is faultless, her tone lovely, and by the last movement her virtuosity is truly impressive. The classic performance remains Menuhin's, but Hahn and Davis and his LSO have much to offer here. Vaughan Williams' gorgeous-if-sappy "The Lark Ascending" is played ravishingly, with more overt feeling than the Elgar, and again the LSO add greatly to the pleasure with the woodwind section--and clarinet in particular--shining brightly. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

This one bowled me over!.......2007-05-11

I bought this CD to get the Ralph Vaughn Williams piece and, had I been paying attention and seen that the remainder was Elgar, I would not have bought it -- I've never been much of an Elgar fan as I've always found his compositions to be a bit stiff. BUT, boy did I ever change my mind when I heard this! The Elgar Concerto was unlike anything I've ever heard of his before, perhaps even paralleling the superb ambiance of some Hovhaness that I've heard lately.

This is one of those classical CDs on which every track is a pure treasure. Now, I've come to enjoy the Elgar Concerto as much as I do the Vaughn Williams. I savor this music as wallpaper while reading and for that it is perfect. All tracks also make for the VERY BEST dinner music. I play it over and over.

Regarding Hahn's performance, yes, I think at times she might be just a tad light on the strings but I found her rendition, in terms of delivery, to be quite fluid and otherwise flawless. And here's the thing.... perhaps the sheet music reflects one f where I happen to think that there should be two. But I'm neither the composer nor the conductor. So maybe she played it exactly correct. I don't know -- I can't read the first note of sheet music but I know what I heard and I liked it a lot! And, uncultured Redneck that I am, after gawking at that cover photo for quite a long time, it's undoubtedly an understatement to say that I'd really love to meet Hilary Hahn in person *.*

So, I'm up to about 400 classical CDs now and this one is in the top 20 for me. I think that the sound quality is above average and the orchestra is tight, yet atmospheric as well. No one will get hurt by buying this CD -- it's musical gold as far as I'm concerned.

Hahn's freshness is nice, but she's not very involved.......2007-02-06

Given the semi-sacred status of the Elgar Violin Concerto in England, it was bracing to read this comment from a reviewer here: "Elgar's violin concerto seems most of the time to be a great introduction and a great cadenza bookending some rather unremarkable music." We Americans are likely to feel that way about Elgar's extremely loquacious, loftily earnest music. Hilary Hahn is out to change our minds, I suppose, with her "interpretation free" recording. It's light and sparkling when it can be, abetted by Colin Davis's fluid orchestral support.

At his website David Hurwitz gave this CD a 10 out of 10, so I was prepared for it to be dreadful. In fact, it's pleasant but uneventful. Like him or not, Elgar demands that a performer fall in line with as much seriousness as possible, and the greatest recordings, by Menuhin and Nigel Kennedy, enter the cathedral with reverence and angst, sentiment and dignity. Hahn is a tourist in this country. As execution goes, she's perfectly fine, but execution is never enough. I applaud her good intentions in sprucing up a presumably musty work, but in the end the Elgar concerto probably needs its thick varnish and aged patina.

Powerful without sentimentality.......2007-01-08

I have to admit that I have pretty much avoided this concerto for the last 40 years. I am not a fan of Elgar, except for the magnificent Enigma Variations, the Cello Concerto, the Cockaigne Overture and lots of short pieces. But I decided to purchase this CD after hearing parts of it on XM radio. While I enjoyed it, I still find the work way too long for the material involved. However, Hillary Hahn is a great violinist and her performance is powerful and not sentimental. I like my music played straight, especially violin concertos where too much vibrato will drive me crazy. This is just my personal feelings. Other writers here, including the Amazon professional, feel differently.

As for the Lark Ascending, it has been a favorite of mine for years and the Hahn performance is simply magnificent.

Solid - Sensible - Brings the Piece Alive.......2006-12-27

Hilary Hahn's rendition of the concerto brings it alive for me. I have listened to Kennedy's recording which has gotten rave reviews, but was too frenetic for my taste. Hahn's version was more convincing. I got the sense that she was just confident of the music (and her technique) and did not need to put anything there but the music. By the second time listening to it I got more & more of a feeling for the musical lines. It's a recording I could listen to a bunch of times. In summary, her playing seemed solid and present - of course with great technique & intonation. The music soared when it needed to & has life.

ravishing and fresh.......2006-12-16

Without getting technical Hilary Hahn's performances of both pieces are truly ravishing and fresh .(I am very familiar with both works and own several different superb performances.) It was like hearing them for the first time again.
Reviewer Robert Levene calling Vaughan Wiliams Lark Ascending "sappy" reveals Levene as an arrogant supercillious twit.
Lets hear some of Your compositions Mr Levene.

Average customer rating:

A Great First Buy on Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Vaughan Williams' wonderful music at last...
Previn & Vaughan Williams: An Excellent Coupling
Can't get any better
Comprehensive and Impressive Collection

Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00011MK74
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

A Song For All Seas, All Ships - Andante Maestoso - London Symphony Chorus
On The Beach At Night, Alone - Largo Sostenuto - London Symphony Chorus
Scherzo: The Waves - Allegro Brillante - London Symphony
The Explorers - Grave E Molto Adagio - London Symphony Chorus

Tracks:

Lento: Allegro Risoluto
Lento
Scherzo (Nocturne)
Andante Con Moto; Maestoso Alla Marcia; Allegro; Lento; Epilogue
Allegro Pesante - James Oliver Buswell IV
Adagio - James Oliver Buswell IV
Presto - James Oliver Buswell IV
Overture

Tracks:

Molto Moderato - Douglas Cummings
Lento Moderato - Douglas Cummings
Moderato Pesante - Douglas Cummings
Lento - Douglas Cummings
Allegro
Andante Moderato
Scherzo: Allegro Molto
Finale Con Epilogo Fugato: Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Preludio: Moderato
Scherzo: Prestso
Romanza: Lento
Passacaglia: Moderato
Explorer
Poet
Queen
Allegro Moderato - John Fletcher
Romanza: Andante Sostenuto - John Fletcher
Finale: Rondo Alla Tedesca - John Fletcher

Tracks:

Allegro
Moderato
Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Epilogue: Moderato
Moderato Maestoso
Andante Sostenuto
Scherzo: Allegro Pesante
Andante Tranquillo

Tracks:

Spoken Introduction - The Ambrosian Singers
Prelude: Andante Maestoso - The Ambrosian Singers
Spoken Introduction - The Ambrosian Singers
Scherzo: Moderato; Poco Animato - The Ambrosian Singers
Spoken Introduction - The Ambrosian Singers
Landscape: Lento - The Ambrosian Singers
Spoken Introduction - The Ambrosian Singers
Intermezzo: Andante Sostenuto - The Ambrosian Singers
Spoken Introduction - The Ambrosian Singers
Epilogue: Alla Marcia Moderato (Ma Non Troppo) - The Ambrosian Singers
Fantasia (Variazioni Senza Tema)
Scherzo Alla Marcia (Per Stromenti A Fiato)
Cavatina (Per Stromenti Ad Arco)
Toccata

Customer Reviews:

A Great First Buy on Ralph Vaughan Williams........2007-06-05

Up until recently, I was only vaguely familiar with the music of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. After reading the reviews and noticing the lower than usual price for this set, I thought I'd give it a listen. I'm definitely glad I did as this is some very beautiful music indeed.
All nine of Vaughan William's symphonies are included here along with four bonus pieces, the Concerto Accademico for Violin, the Bass Tuba Concerto, "Three Portraits from the England of Elizabeth" and the overture for the stage play "The Wasps".
Conductor Andre Previn definitely brings these works to life in a mighty way. The "Sea Symphony" is a real standout with its beautiful choral arrangements and orchestrations. Other standouts are the "Pastoral" third symphony and the dramatic Stravinsky-esque fourth symphony.
Indeed, all of the music here is something special and I'm very satisfied to have this set as my introduction to the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Like other reviewers have stated here, this is definitely a must-have collection and I can't think of a better way to start a Vaughan Williams library than with this.

A small footnote: After listening to the first movement of "A Sea Symphony", it may be quite possible that John Lennon sampled a small section of it for "Revolution 9" on the Beatles' White Album. The section in question occurs roughly 12 minutes into the first movement. It's very brief but it immediately stuck out once it was heard.

Vaughan Williams' wonderful music at last..........2007-04-21

Ralph Vaughan Williams was in my opinion one of the very greatest composers of music. Never content with what he had just written, but nevertheless staunch in his principles, over his lifetime he created a series of amazingly vital and original pieces. I could write many pages about these works, so will just say a little about my favorite of all, the incredible Symphony No 8 in D minor. Written at the extraordinary age of 86, the sheer musical inventiveness of this truly unbelievable piece is without equal and I include here all the "great" classical composers such as Beethoven, Brahms and the like. The first movement "Variations in search of a theme" is serious, thought-provoking and modern, yet unmistakably RVW. Its one of the most original first movements ever written ( owing nothing whatsoever to the classical tradition) and though asking more questions than it answers, is a movement even if you have never listened to any of RVWs music before demands attention and absolutely requires you to listen more. The second movement "Cavatina" is one of the most ghostly-beautiful slow movements ever written. The only thing I can really compare it with is RVWs own "The Lark Ascending" though for me this is a far more complex and challenging piece. I have listened to Barber's famous " Adagio for Strings", written at about the same time as this,and for me, this is an even greater and more moving piece - well Barber hadn't written the so-called "Pastoral" Symphony for practice had he ? The third movement is a typically gruff RVW scherzo. I can just see the old geezer galumphing round his garden complaining about his musicians, modern taxation, life in general... It's really funny and whenever can you say that of Mozart, Beethoven , Brahms and company...?The fourth movement is is ...how on earth do you describe this absolutely extraordinary finale. Part village band, part religious apotheosis, this is music truly not of the everyday earth which we inhabit, but something much more glorious, more astonishing... In this movement RVW uses just about every musical instrument known to man - he must have had enormous fun composing it... but the first entry of the celeste is the moment you all need to listen for.

André Previn has chosen some of the very finest of RVWs works to record on this set and for me this is his greatest testament as a conductor. His sheer (and somewhat amazing in itself as a jazz musician) love for RVWs music comes out tops here. A great recording and an absolutely tremendous bargain.

Previn & Vaughan Williams: An Excellent Coupling.......2007-01-10

I have some of these recordings on RCA Red Seal LPs from the late 1960's. I think it is one the best of three symphony cycles in my possession. The other two are Colin Davis/Sibelius and Herbert Blomstedt/Nielsen. Some of my RVW LPs are Adrian Boult and some are Andre Previn. I prefer Previn. Previn really digs into this music. My three favorites: #2 (London), #3 (Pastoral) and #5. It gives me goose bumps being able to listen to them without rice krispies in the background. Kudos to RCA for re-releasing these gems.

Can't get any better.......2004-07-19

If you've ever thought of getting all of the RVW symphonies but haven't, because of cost or what not, there are no more excuses. This is the best set ever. Previn and the LSO had a magical relationship 30 years ago, and no one has ever done these symphonies better. If you find some of them tough nuts to crack, don't worry; RVW isn't easy music, but it is well worth it. It's not supposed to be simple. The only caveat: analog sound. Now RCA was capable of great sound in the 1970's, and the sound is frankly better than the newer RCA series with Slatkin. But if superb digital sound is paramount, you won't go wrong with Handley's set with Liverpool. It's another top notch cycle. Still, I rate Previn tops in this music. RCA is to be commended for releasing this set, as well as the others in the series...check them out!

Comprehensive and Impressive Collection.......2004-04-07

Listen to the bold beginning of Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony, and you've captured the essence of VW at his best. This is the first of 9 symphonies by a composer who is surely England's greatest Symphonist. His essays in the form span the first half of the twentieth century, but include few of its radical elements. Vaughan Williams was a traditionalist throughout, and surely it was that conservative outlook that drew him to the symphonic form in the first place.

Listening to his second symphony, A London Symphony, one hears typical Vaughan Williams-almost entirely melodic in its conception, with lots of diatonic, modal or pentatonic writing, and a touch of chromatic harmony to flavour the melody. It's beautiful, and the music spans a wide emotional gamut from intense introspection to joyous celebration. Only in the 4th Symphony does VW really open himself to a more contrapuntal and dissonant style, and the consequence is that the composition becomes quite reminiscent of Prokofiev or Schostakovich, the two other great Symphonists of the time. Following the 5th Symphony, however, I feel that VW's artistic output suffers. The later pieces, with the exception of the 7th Symphony, Sinfonia Antarctica-based on music he'd composed for the film Scott of the Antarctic--lack the vigor and excitement of the earlier works. They're more introspective, perhaps as befits an older composer, but they don't speak to me as strongly as, say, the later symphonies of Mahler or Schostakovich. Perhaps it is that VW was resistant to change in his basic musical outlook, but by the 1950's, the diatonic/pentatonic ideas he frequented had become increasingly irrelevant. That VW was brilliant and a master craftsman is unquestionable, but he seemed to need new fuel for his compositional fires and was unwilling to consider the atonality of Schoenberg and his followers, the rhythmic vitality of Stravinsky and Bartok, or even the orchestral colours and dramatic juxtapositions of Gustav Mahler. There are still many moments of brilliance, but as a whole the later works move me less.

All of the performances by Andre Previn and the London symphony Orchestra are superb-no one plays this music better. With 9 Symphonies and four other orchestral works-the Concerto Accademico, the Tuba Concerto, the Wasps Overture, and Three Portraits from The England of Elisabeth-this collection is packed with value, and I can scarcely do it justice in the limited room I have. While the Concerto Accademico seems aptly titled and not terribly engaging, the Three Portraits are a gem of VW's work for television. Its worth the price for the first two symphonies and the Sinfonia Antarctica alone, everything else is just gravy--or perhaps I should say, baked beans on toast! All in all, a terrific deal.

Hodie / Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Average customer rating:

A most incredible, beautiful, and moving recording

An old friend

Can't go wrong with Hodie

Some of the loveliest Christmas music ever written

A classic recording of a classic

Hodie / Fantasia on Christmas Carols

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The John Rutter Christmas Album

ASIN: B00004YU84
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Fant On Christmas Carols: This Is The Truth Sent From Above- - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
Fant On Christmas Carols: Come All You Worthy Gentlemen- - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
Fant On Christmas Carols: On Christmas Night All Christians Sing- - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
Fant On Christmas Carols: God Bless The Ruler Of This House - John Barrow/Chor Of Guildford Cathedral
Hodie: I. Prologue: Nowell! Nowell!
Hodie: II. Narration: Now The Birth Of Jesus Christ-
Hodie: III. Song: It Was The Winter Wild
Hodie: IV. Narration: And It Came To Pass In Those Days
Hodie: V. Choral: The Blessed Son Of God
Hodie: VI. Narration: And There Were In The Same Country
Hodie: VII. Song: The Oxen (Christmas Eve, And Twelve Of The Clock)
Hodie: VIII. Narration: And The Shepherds Returned
Hodie: IX. Pastoral: The Shepherds Sing
Hodie: X. Narration: But Mary Kept All These Things
Hodie: XI. Lullaby: Sweet Was The Song The Virgin Sang
Hodie: XII. Hymn: Bright Portals Of The Sky
Hodie: XIII. Narration: Now When Jesus Was Born
Hodie: XIV. The March Of The Three Kings: From Kingdoms Of Wisdom-
Hodie: XV. Choral: No Sad Thought His Soul Affright
Hodie: XVI. Epilogue: In The Beginning Was The Word

Customer Reviews:

A most incredible, beautiful, and moving recording.......2005-04-12

I first became aware of Hodie when I performed the work in high school. While it is true that Vaughn-Williams does use a variety of styles, this is much more than a compendium of musical approaches. Each style is well chosen to provide an appropriate context for the words in a way matched by few composers - intimate in "The Oxen", hushed and reverential in "No sad thought his soul affright", and imposing and even majesterial in "The March of the Three Kings". I can't imagine how anyone could listen to the Epilogue (especially as performed here) with it's quoting of the beginning of St. John's gospel without being utterly undone.

Because of the beauty of the work and the quality of the performance, it quickly became one of my most beloved recordings, defining for me how this work should be performed just as Karl Richter's Mass in b Minor and Colin Davis's Mozart Requiem have. The singers all have incredibly beautiful voices and each use their voice very sensitively. Just listen to John Shirley-Quirk's simple yet eloquent singing in "The Oxen", describing the animals in the manger on their knees at cradle of God incarnate or Janet Baker's "Lullaby" with a beauty that can bring tears to your eyes. Richard Lewis likewise provides a good range from the heroic to the sensitive - one of the best performances of his I have heard. The choral work is likewise fantastic. I have been searching for this work on CD for years to replace my well-loved but somewhat worn-out LP copy and am delighted that it is finally available again.

More so than Messiah, this work has come to define Christmas for me. If you love choral music, Vaughan-Williams's work, works that can put you in touch with the Divine, or you just appreciate beautiful singing, I would STRONGLY urge you to purchase this recording while it is still available.

An old friend.......2004-02-09

It is always a wonderful thing to find a beloved recording transfered to CD. My old LP is still on my shelves and has been there since 1973, though the recording dates from 1965. It is a fine performance of an unjustly neglected Christmas work.

Vaughan Williams was 81 when he wrote this. It is a portmanteau piece, a form pioneered by Britten, with narrations alternating with chorals, hyms and songs enclosed within a prologue and epilogue. The words set range from the biblical to Thomas Hardy. The narrations, sung by a boys' choir accompanied by a chamber organ, tell the story of the Nativity, and are often followed by a short tenor solo with full orchestral accompaniment. These brief, melismatic sections are of extraordinary emotional power. They still make me go all funny after 30 years. Set in this regular framework go the assorted numbers which vary in character from a gentle lullaby to the glittering March of the Three Kings (the words of which were written by the composer's wife). The work has been criticised for the disparate styles of the settings - some songs like early RVW, others set to the glassy, late orchestral style of Sinfonia Antartica. To me it adds variety as well as demonstrating the sheer breadth of his music. This is a gorgeous piece to play on Christmas day and it will refresh your spirit no end.

The performance is first rate, with a trio of distinguished soloists. The recording is remarkably good for its age.

The Fantasia on Christmas Carols is a much earlier work and its title is self- explanatory. It is a very attractive work which is given a perfectly acceptable performance here. A mystery is the name of the band : "String Orchestra", which sounds alarmingly generic. Guildford, a town to the west of London, does have a semi-professional orchestra so maybe the players are from this.

The insert notes are by Michael Kennedy, who was a close friend of the composer and is the leading authority on his music. Full texts are included for Hodie.

Can't go wrong with Hodie.......2003-01-02

The other reviewers have it right in giving this disc five stars, at least for Hodie. First the bad news: the Fantasia is given here in a slightly bloodless version for baritone, chorus, strings, and organ, which can't quite match the original.

Now the good news: the performance of Hodie on offer here is amazing. As good as Hickox is in his later EMI recording, he and his team of soloists are clearly outmatched. We have captured here early recordings of both Dame Janet Baker and John Shirley-Quirk, two of the great British singers of modern times, each in gorgeous voice and both deeply committed to the work. If you need much convincing of this, try "It was the winter wild" or "The Shepherds sing"; you won't be disappointed. Of course, we shouldn't leave Richard Lewis out, even though he has a somewhat smaller role in the proceedings than the other two. In exchange, he has the challenging hymn "Bright portals of the sky," which he delivers with seeming ease. Their trio in the "March of the Three Kings" is the crowning moment of the work, until topped a few minutes later by the bank-holiday fervor of the finale.

The choral and orchestral work is on pace with that of the soloists: I would say that one can hear more orchestral and choral detail on this disc remastered from the mid-1960's than is available on the Hickox recording!

So, in short, this disc is a must-have for Hodie; if you want the "Fantasia" too, go for Matthew Best's recording with Thomas Allen, the Corydon Singers, and the English Chamber Orchestra on Hyperion.

Some of the loveliest Christmas music ever written.......2002-12-25

I have played this recording every Christmas for the past 28 years at least, first in the original LP from Angel, and then the first CD release, which for a while was out of print. I am so happy to see that it is again available.

If you do not know the Vaughan Williams Hodie, you are missing some of the loveliest Christmas music ever composed. A brilliant mosaic of musical styles serving to set poetry of the most diverse sources,the various parts are all bound together by the Gospel narration of the Nativity story sung by boy's choir. The result, far from being a hodge-podge, is instead deeply felt, organic, and filled with that pastoral, mystical and intensely affecting quality of the best of RVW's work. The soloists are terrific, especially the young Janet Baker at her most radiant. The sound is still quite fresh and beautifully recorded.

I cannot imagine Christmas Eve without this heavenly music!

A classic recording of a classic.......2002-01-09

I first heard Hodie on the initial vinyl release of this performance over 30 years ago. It's one of the finest choral works of the 20th century, and a rare instance where the nobility of the music matches the nobility of texts--and what texts! Milton, the Bible, Thomas Hardy, George Herbert--some of the finest religious poetry in English. The performance is, quite simply, perfection. Willcocks owns every note of the score, and the soloists are perfectly matched.

I could go on for pages, but it would be superfluous. Just buy it. At this price, it's a steal.

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5
Average customer rating:

Classic contemplation

I love Vaughan Williams' music. Period.

Powerful and serene V W

Two Extrordinay Symphonies

TRANSCENDENTAL VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Vaughan Williams: Fantasies; The Lark Ascending; Five Variants

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Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (original 1913 version) / Butterworth: The Banks of Green Willow - London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox

ASIN: B000002S2P
Release Date: 1991-09-12

Tracks:

A Pastoral Symphony: I. Molto moderato
A Pastoral Symphony: II. Lento moderato
A Pastoral Symphony: III. Moderato pesante
A Pastoral Symphony: IV. Lento
Symphony No. 5 In D: I. Preludio (Moderato)
Symphony No. 5 In D: II. Scherzo (Presto)
Symphony No. 5 In D: III. Romanza (Lento0
Symphony No. 5 In D: IV. Passacaglia (Moderato)

Amazon.com

These are two of Vaughan Williams's greatest symphonies. (Some think his Fifth is his best.) The Third Symphony (1922), subtitled "The Pastoral Symphony," brings to mind the lush imagery of the English countryside and is filled with heartbreaking melodies. (It was written in part while the composer was in the service in WWI.) His Fifth Symphony (1943) is an outgrowth of the music from his great opera, The Pilgrim's Progress, eventually published in 1951. In part, the symphony is a return to his warmer style, a turn away from the acerbic Fourth Symphony, which the public hated. And, yes, it probably is his greatest symphony. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Classic contemplation.......2007-01-06

Boult and RVW go way way back, of course, so he offers authoritative performances just about all the time. Here the Pastoral is the better performance, a lovely and sensitive reading of a very elusive work. The Fifth is a little slack, unfortunately, but if you can accept that it's still a warm and loving rendition.

I love Vaughan Williams' music. Period........2004-04-24

The critics really make it hard for those of us who love the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. It's bad enough that Aaron Copland once said that listening to Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 5 was like staring at a cow for 45 minutes. It's even worse that Tim Page, music critic for the Washington Post, likened The Lark Ascending--my nomination for the most purely beautiful piece of music ever written--to a lovely but vapid woman you're embarrassed to remember you were once in love with. But the absolutely last straw has been broken: the author of a new, violently condemnatory biography of the late Anthony Burgess uses Burgess' choice of Vaughan Williams for his appearance on the BBC's "Desert Island Discs" as proof positive of the essential mediocrity of Burgess' mind.
OK, maybe I'm mediocre too (and I'd be perfectly happy to be as mediocre as Anthony Burgess!). But I STILL consider Vaughan Williams one of the most remarkable composers of the 20th century, and certainly one of the most consistently delightful. His Third (Pastoral) and Fifth Symphonies have a soulful richness and luminosity few 20th-century works can match, and it's hard to imagine finer or more idiomatic versions of them than those conducted by the late Sir Adrian Boult. Particularly at its mid-level price, this CD is a must for anyone interested in English music.

Powerful and serene V W.......2002-09-25

These are two qualities melted one into another that outline symphony 3 "Pastoral" and 5. The scope is musically generous, rich, while maintaining the substance of everything this composer did. The conducting , as does the playing, is matched or surpassed only by a few peers. Two great pieces with solemn melodies, with dark/light stamina, a disquietude longing for pastoral respite.

Two Extrordinay Symphonies.......2002-03-23

The Third and Fifth symphonies of Vaughan Williams are among his most peaceful and serene of his works. I once heard a commentator on public radio say that he listened to the Fifth symphony before boarding a plane. If the unthinkable happened and the plane when down, he contended that he would be better prepared to accept his death have reached so serene a state. The Fifth was written when Vaughan Williams was in his early 70ýs, and the mood of reflection and peace associated with the music made may think the composer had entered a state of restful reflection. They did not dream that he would write four more symphonies that would prove Vaughan Williams had more fire in him than suspected.

The Third symphony (Pastoral) also has a similar feeling of reflection. It is odd that it was written in France during the First World War while Vaughan Williams was in the ambulance corps. I think of it as hearkening back to a time before the war when the French countryside, now blasted by shells, was a peaceful place.

These recordings are among the best conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, and although they date from the early 1950s they have been so beautifully remastered that it will not matter they are not digital recordings. The subtle orchestral shadings in both symphonies are magical and have rarely been caught so precisely. A must for those interested in Vaughan Williamsýs music.

TRANSCENDENTAL VAUGHAN WILLIAMS.......2001-07-19

I remember my first encounter with Vaughan Williams; it was, of course, his Symphony No. 2 ("London")--- and doesn't it always seem to be THIS particular symphony, especially when you're young, like I was, and open to music you may never have heard. Naturally, I thought it was grand, and it is. As is his Symphony No. 7 ("Sinfonia Antartica"), which I discovered soon afterwards and also felt thrilled by. As a novice, I fell easily under the accessibility of these works--- and the spells they cast. I would never give up this period of some thirty years ago, or the hunger that drove me to search out more and more music, or the growth that it incurred.

However, time and age intervene, as they are apt to do, and our vision widens, our experience broadens, life, with its diverse pleasure and pain, enables us or forces us to open ourselves even further. Thus I came to VW's Symphonies No.'s 3 and 5, not because I had never heard them or owned them. To the contrary, I collected three complete sets of the VW Symphonies, in my LP days, the Boult included; but I never REALLY heard them. And these two symphonies in particular never really "touched" me... barely even listened to them... until now, years and years later.

Now they float over my soul like the dusk of a late autumn afternoon--- when my heart is filled with the wonder and puzzlement of seasons, years, decades gone by--- and the spirit, too, admits that the evening shadows are indeed growing longer and suddenly the sense of things past becomes an intense, yearning nostalgia. [I wish that in my twenties I had had, emotionally, what I do now in my early fifties--- and the wisdom to go hand-in-hand with it! But those regrets are better left for another time.]

With the ageless Sir Adrian at the podium, Vaughan Williams' Symphonies 3 and 5 are as beautiful, and bountiful, a coupling as one could wish for--- and in peerless performances like these, they bring tears to the eyes.

From the haunting opening bars of the "Pastoral," so reminiscent of "The Lark Ascending," we are enveloped by such a languid melancholy, lulled pervasively into such a womb-like and secure "place," that the temptation to stay "in the moment" is more than simply an overpowering desire: it is a need that arises from the innermost part of us. Boult's flowing sense of orchestral color, nuance and detail, his hushed and ethereal handling of VW's mournfully heartfelt passages, his complete and utter sympathy with composition and composer--- all --- make this "Pastoral" something that beggars description.

And the Fifth Symphony? This is, absolutely, VW's greatest achievement and, at that point in his life, the synthesis of everything he was--- and the promise of everything he would, as we know, become. What an ebb and flow exist in this work! What glorious swells of lyricism and emotion wash over us; what an all-surrounding atmosphere encompasses! Like a spiritual "sister" to the "Pastoral," listening to the Fifth Symphony is like drinking from the wellspring of life--- and becoming as one renewed, reborn --- a powerfil simile for one of the symphonic milestones of the twentieth century.

EMI has joined together VW's most wonderous of symphonies and, under the baton of Sir Adrian (with grand sound from both the New Philharmonia and London Philharmonic), has secured a definitive place in the VW catalogue for both on this most magnificent of CDs.

[Running time: 71:28]

Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (original 1913 version) / Butterworth: The Banks of Green Willow - London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox

Average customer rating:

Vaughan Williams At His Best
Interesting...
Nostalgia and love ...
VW #2 - Hickox
Blowing the dust off excellence

Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (original 1913 version) / Butterworth: The Banks of Green Willow - London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5
Vaughan Williams: Phantasy Quintet/String Quartets 1 & 2
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Vaughan Williams: Sinfonia Antartica/The Wasps
Shropshire Lad/Banks of Green

ASIN: B00005B54X
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

The Banks Of Green Willow
A London Symphony: I. Lento-Allegro risoluto
A London Symphony: II. Lento
A London Symphony: III. Scherzo (Nocturne): Allegro vivace-Andantino
A London Symphony: IV. Andante con moto-Maestoso alla marcia (quasilento)-Allegro-Andantino ma sostenuto-Tempo primo-Allegro-Lento-Epilogue: Andante sostenuto-Lento

Amazon.com

Penned between 1911 and 1913 and first heard in May 1914, Vaughan Williams's A London Symphony was dedicated to the memory of George Butterworth (whose ravishing 1913 idyll The Banks of Green Willow opens proceedings here). It's the original version that Richard Hickox and the LSO champion so eloquently on this sumptuous-sounding Chandos issue--and a very different beast it is from Vaughan Williams's final revision of 1933.

Customer Reviews:

Vaughan Williams At His Best.......2007-07-03

Ever since I first heard "The Lark Ascending" by Vaughan Williams, I have remained in awe of the beauty and enjoyability of the composers music. This particular recording of Richard Hickox and the London Symphony is a must have for any Vaughan Williams lover. After first hearing the revised editions of the London Symphony, I must say that this original version is my favorite. The mysterious Strings that open up the first movement are so wonderfully athereal, leading us to the English fanfare/march of trumpets and percussion. Even though I have never been to London, this music paints such vivid pictures in my mind. Also, it should be noted that the chromatic climax in the first movement in which the brass descend sounds extremely similar to the Phantom of the Opera Theme by Andrew Lloyd-Weber. In fact, it is so similar that I am definate that Lloyd-Weber copied the idea for his own work. Vaughan Williams is the original, however, and it is very interesting to note the similarities between this first movement in particular and later orchestral works. The second movement is comparatively much darker. The third, like all of Vaughan Williams' Symphonies, is a Scherzo, similar in mood to his others. The finale begins with heart-wrenching chords, frightenning, yet they fill the listenner with fascination. Overall, this recording brings out every corner of Vaughan Williams brilliant orchestrations.

The Banks of the Green Willow is a much simpler work, though still thoroughly pleasurable. Butterworth died tragically young in World War One from a shot to the head. This piece is based on two folk songs, combined into this one movement to make an altogether charming first half, and a typical English-countryside finish.

Whether you have heard the music of Vaughan Williams or not, this Cd can be enjoyed by all. Also, the Butterworth is a good introduction to the composers other musical selections.

Interesting..........2006-07-19

Overall, I'm very glad that this recording was made. The "London Symphony" by Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the most beutiful symphonies ever written. And to hear this work in original version is indeed a learning experience. However, I must say that Vaughan Williams was right to revise.
The first movement was left alone, but the latter movements in this original version have a lot extra music which the composer took out, and for good reason. Paticularly in the second movement, where some of this extra material is absolutely beutiful. But for me there is an inconsistant use of form. It seems to lose a sense of line and build, partly becuase it's a little too long, but also, there is no real peak that the movement develops into. The composer, realising this, decided to trim some of this fat in his revision, and comes up with a real thrilling climax that feels right as rain.
As far as the performance. Richard Hickox and the LSO perform elequently, even though it tends to be a little too slow at times. Nonetheless, the sound is first rate and Hickox certainly knows what he's doing.
As I said before, I'n happy this recording exists. It gives us a great insight into the process of composition and how a composer makes long term judgement calls as far as what to revise and what not revise. Vaughan Williams makes the right choices in the end.

Nostalgia and love ..........2005-11-30

... for all that is English. That is what comes to my mind when listening to this truly gorgeous music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. So very 'English' to my ears. A combination of typical elements: the beautiful and nostalgic - the pastoral, country elements -, combined with that typically melancholy - the Empire coming to an end -, sometimes even gothic feel - the city and the industry -, all of which I, as an outsider, often associate with modern England. For me, coming from Holland, this music breathes a strange, but at the same time familiar kind of exoticism. Just a small hop over the North Sea, but so very different ...
This performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Second Symphony by the LSO under Richard Hickox must surely be making the most of all that is English about this music, in that it makes the music glow with veritable nostalgia and sympathy, helped by what must certainly one of the greatest digital recordings ever.
Although this original 1913 version of the Second Symphony might miss the musical tautness of the 1936 score authorized by the composer, we here get twenty minutes more of often hauntingly beautiful music. This original 1913 version can then be seen more like a tone poem than a symphony, however much Ralph Vaughan Williams might have detested this notion. All in all an astoundingly beautiful musical document, gourgeously performed and recorded.

VW #2 - Hickox.......2005-10-30

This is a truly stunning performance in its original recent release.
My father new VW very well and attended the premiere of this work.
Listeners may wish to know that recently this recording has been re-issued in Europe and the UK in SACD.
It is hard to believe that the recorded sound could be improved upon - but the extra rear channel ambience provides a superb enhancement.
Antony J. Lepire
Berkeley, California

Blowing the dust off excellence.......2003-01-08

If you're even a casual RVW fan, this disc is a must-buy. This recording proves RVW's original version is brilliant and he should have left well enough alone. (Especially in regards to the final movement).

Tracks:

I: A Song For All Seas, All Ships: Behold, The Sea Itself - Jonathan Summers
I: A Song For All Seas, All Ships: Today A Rude Brief Recitative - Jonathan Summers
I: A Song For All Seas, All Ships: Flaunt Out, O Sea, Your Seperate Flags Of Nations! - Jonathan Summers
I: A Song For All Seas, All Ships: Token Of All Brave Captains - Jonathan Summers
I: A Song For All Seas, All Ships: A Pennant Universal - Jonathan Summers
II: On The Beach At Night, Alone: On The Beach At Night, Alone - Jonathan Summers
II: On The Beach At Night, Alone: A Vast Similitude Interlocks All - Jonathan Summers
III: Scherzo: The Waves - Jonathan Summers
IV: The Explorers (Grave E Molto Adagio - Andante Co Moto): O Vast Rondure, Swimming In Space - Jonathan Summers
IV: The Explorers (Grave E Molto Adagio - Andante Co Moto): Down From The Gardens Of Asia Descending - Jonathan Summers
IV: The Explorers (Grave E Molto Adagio - Andante Co Moto): O We Can Wait No Longer - Jonathan Summers
IV: The Explorers (Grave E Molto Adagio - Andante Co Moto): O Thou Transcendent - Jonathan Summers
IV: The Explorers (Grave E Molto Adagio - Andante Co Moto): Greater Than Stars Or Suns - Jonathan Summers
IV: The Explorers (Grave E Molto Adagio - Andante Co Moto): Sail Forth - Jonathan Summers
IV: The Explorers (Grave E Molto Adagio - Andante Co Moto): O My Brave Soul! - Jonathan Summers

Tracks:

I. Lento - Allegro Risoluto - London Philharmonic Orchestra
II. Lento - London Philharmonic Orchestra
III. Scherzo (Nocturne): Allegro Vivace - London Philharmonic Orchestra
IV. Andante Con Moto - Maestoso Alla Marcia (Quasi Lento) - Allegro - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Fantasia On A Theme - London Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

I: Molto Moderato - Amanda Roocroft
II: Lento Moderato - London Philharmonic Orchestra
II: Moderato Pesante - Presto - London Philharmonic Orchestra
IV: Lento - Moderato Maestoso - London Philharmonic Orchestra
I: Allegro - London Philharmonic Orchestra
II: Andante Moderato - London Philharmonic Orchestra
III: Scherzo: Allegro Molto - London Philharmonic Orchestra
IV: Finale Con Epilogo Fugato: Allegro Molto - London Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

I: Preludio: Moderato - Sarah Chang
II: Scherzo: Presto - Sarah Chang
III: Romanza: Lento - Sarah Chang
IV: Passacaglia: Moderato - Sarah Chang
Norfolk Rhapsody No.1 - Sarah Chang
Romance For Violin And Orchestra - Sarah Chang

Tracks:

I: Allegro - Ian Bostridge
II: Moderato - Ian Bostridge
III: Scherzo: Allegro Vivace - Ian Bostridge
IV: Epilouge: Moderato - Ian Bostridge
In The Fen Country - Ian Bostridge
I: On The Wenlock Edge - Ian Bostridge
II: From Far, From Eve And Morning - Ian Bostridge
III: Is My Team Ploughing? - Ian Bostridge
IV: Oh, When I Was In Love With You - Ian Bostridge
V: Bredon Hill - Ian Bostridge
VI: Clun - Ian Bostridge

Tracks:

I: Prelude: Maestoso - London Philharmonic Choir
II: Scherzo: Moderato - London Philharmonic Choir
III: Landscape: Lento - London Philharmonic Choir
IV: Intermezzo: Andante Sostenuto - London Philharmonic Choir
V: Epilogue: Alla Marcia, Moderato (Non Troppo Allegro) - London Philharmonic Choir

Tracks:

I: Fantasia: Moderato - Presto - Andante Sostenuto - Allegretto - Andante Non Troppo - Allegro Vivace - Andante Sostenuto - Tempo I, Ma Tranquillo - London Philharmonic Orchestra
II: Scherzo Alla Marcia: Allegro Alla Marcia - Andante - Tempo I (Allegro) - London Philharmonic Orchestra
III: Cavatina: Lento Espressivo - London Philharmonic Orchestra
IV: Toccata: Moderato Maestoso - London Philharmonic Orchestra
I: Moderato Maestoso - London Philharmonic Orchestra
II: Andante Sostenuto - London Philharmonic Orchestra
III: Scherzo: Allegro Pesante - London Philharmonic Orchestra
IV: Andante Tranquillo - London Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

VW Can't miss.......2007-04-01

It would take a lot of effort to make these works anything but wonderful to my ( untrained) ear. I have other versions of Symphonies 3 & 5, Tallis, and Lark, but am not that familiar with the rest. I bought the CD set just to hear them. VW's music goes straight to my soul, perhaps because I was born about 40 km ( 25 miles ) from the composer. These works evoke instant nostalgia. Haintink, the orchestra , soloists, sound fine. I particularly enjoyed Ian Bostridge.

Vaughan Williams the Great European Symphonist.......2004-12-15

2004 Has been a good year for Box Sets of Vaughan Williams Symphonies. Best of the bunch is this one from EMI with Bernard Haitink conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Do not be put off by the lengthy gestation of the project, over 16 years between 1984 and 2000, there is a consistency of interpretation, performance and sound.

Haitink's first recording in the set of the 7th Symphony, the Sinfonia Antarctica is his manifesto. He takes Vaughan Williams out of the cosy world of 20th century British music and the interpretive shadow cast by Adrian Boult and places him in an ongoing tradition of European symphonists. Haitink revels in the richness of the symphony's sound worlds and in the romantic heart which he finds in them all. These are rich, big boned interpretations. Nowhere more so than in this 7th Symphony, from the episodic feast of the first movement onwards, and there is surely no recording with a more appropriate acoustic.

The First in the cycle , `A Sea Symphony" is startling, as conductor, orchestra and singers burn a new way to the heart of this huge work with a searingly intense first movement.

The Second, A London Symphony has many fine recordings. Here the louder passages are brash, boisterous and thoroughly urban. Vaughan Williams loved city life and would surely have approved.

The Third, A Pastoral Symphony is one of the most striking reinterpretations here, and perhaps the hardest to take for traditionalists. Boult's mystical manipulation of blocks of chords with solo instruments floating above them is replaced with lyrical argument.

The furies at the heart of the Fourth Symphony are set free to great effect, as they are in the Sixth Symphony. Haitink excels in the demonic dance music in both symphonies and the jazz elements in the Sixth are enthusiastically articulated

If the interpretation of the Pastoral Symphony is striking, that of the 8th is a complete transformation, and one that convinces. No longer is this a small symphony, here it is the considerable utterance of a master.

The Fifth symphony is its radiant self, but the questions that also inhabit the score are welcomed, giving this performance light and shade.

The Ninth Symphony, sometimes considered a difficult work sounds like a natural summation of Vaughan Williams musical journey. It is a suitable epitaph, autumnal but radiating vigour.

There are a number of filler works here, like the Symphonies some are radical reinterpretations. I am not convinced by this Variations on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. In The Lark Ascending the programme is forgotten and it becomes a one movement concerto with a continuous violin line.

Haitink's interpretations are not for everyone. If you want modern a modern equivalent of Boult with good digital sound choose the Vernon Handley Set on Classics For Pleasure. That also has the benefit of a more generous selection of extra works. If you want to hear exciting modern performances in exemplary sound snap up this bargain box.

Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem and Other Works

Average customer rating:

Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem and Other Works

Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Vaughan Williams: Sir John In Love
Vaughan Williams: Complete Concertos

ASIN: B00005Q2X8
Release Date: 2005-07-13

Tracks:

Toward The Unknown Region - London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: I. Agnus Dei (Lento) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: II. Beat! Beat! Drums! (Allegro Moderato) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: III. Reconciliation (Andantino) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: IV. Dirge For Two Veterans (Moderato Alla Marcia) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: V. The Angel Of Death Has Been abroad (L'istesso Tempo) - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Dona Nobis Pacem: VI. O Man Greatly Beloved - Sheila Armstrong/John Carol Case/London Phil Chor/John Alldis
Fant (Quasi Vars) On The Old 104th Psalm Tune - Peter Katin
Magnificat - Helen Watts/Ambrosian Singers/Christopher Hyde-Smith

Tracks:

Partita: I. Prld (Andante Tranquillo) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Partita: II. Scherzo Ostinato (Presto) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Partita: III. Intermezzo (Homage To Henry Hall) (Andante Con Moto) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Partita: IV. Fant (Allegro) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: I. Intrada (Largo) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: II. Burlesca Ostinata (Allegro Moderato) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: III. Sarabande (Lento) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: IV. Scherzo (Allegro: Tempo Di Valse) - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Con Grosso: V. March (A La Marcia) And Reprise - LPO/Sir Adrian Boult
Fant On A Theme By Thomas Tallis - Philharmonia Orch/Sir Malcolm Sargent
Romance in D flat - Larry Adler/Eric Gritton
The Lark Ascending - Jean Pougnet

Lark Ascending - The Soft Sounds of Vaughan Williams (2 CDs) (London)

Average customer rating:

One of those Collection CDs that Merits Adding to the Library!
Beautiful!
Beautiful Selections
Good if not for the oboe...
I am so glad I bought this album!

Lark Ascending - The Soft Sounds of Vaughan Williams (2 CDs) (London)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music; The Lark Ascending; Fantasia on Greensleeves; English Folk Song Suite; In the Fen Country; Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1
Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany (Vintage)

ASIN: B0000042HD
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

The Lark Ascending
Fantasia On Greensleeves
Oboe Concerto: Rondo pastorale
Oboe Concerto: Minuet And Musette
'London' Symphony No. 2 - Lento
Concerto Grosso: Concerto Grosso - Sarabande
English Folk Song Suite
Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis

Customer Reviews:

One of those Collection CDs that Merits Adding to the Library!.......2006-09-24

Often pasted together excerpts on the basis of a theme or a specific artist can be annoyingly disjointed. This is an exception to that rule. While many people appreciate the majestic symphonies by Ralph Vaughn Williams, there is a larger audience waiting to be introduced to one f the masters of British melody. Here is a selection of some of the more moody but eloquent works by a great composer too often dismissed.

The CD collection of 'Soft Sounds' is divided among several groups. Works on the collection include performances from the New Queen's Hall Orchestra (Barry Wordsworth, conductor), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Sir Neville Marriner, conductor), and the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Sir Adrian Boult, conducing). These fine orchestras survey 'The Lark Ascending, romance for violin & orchestra' with a sensitive Hagai Shaham as soloist, 'Fantasia on Greensleeves, for harp, flute & strings', the Oboe Concerto in A minor' with Celia Nicklin soloist, the 'Lento' from 'The London Symphony', the 'Concerto grosso for strings' (Sarabande), 'English Folk Song Suite', and the much loved 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, for 2 string orchestras'.

There are no attempts to connect these works except through the concept of 'soft music' and there are individually finer performances of some on other recordings. But for a soothing, tranquil hour of gorgeous music to tame the savage world, this is one of those CDs that will serve the listener well - and hopefully increase Vaughn Williams' audience! Grady Harp, September 06

Beautiful!.......2004-02-19

"The Lark Ascending" is one of my all-time favorite pieces, and I must say that Ralph Vaughan Williams is amazing after listening to this CD. "Fantasia on Greensleeves" blew me away.

Wonderful music.

Elizabeth

Beautiful Selections.......2002-03-22

I'm a Vaughan Williams enthusist and I find that this CD has many (not all, of course) of the soft and beautiful orchestral works of Mr. Williams. The quality is excellent. "Fant on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" is one of my favorite pieces of work by Williams, however, I didn't like Mr. Wordsworth's interpretation of this piece (in my opinion, the best interpretation is by Leonard Slatkin, which I suggest you buy). All in all, this is a very good CD and I highly recommand it.

Good if not for the oboe..........2001-03-19

This recording features wonderful renditions of many of Vaughan Williams' most heralded compositions. The Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is one of the best I've heard, as are most of the other pieces on this CD. However, the (incomplete) Oboe Concerto is of mediocre quality. Being an oboist, I am naturally critical of oboe playing, but I must say that at times even an untrained ear can discern the utter lack of taste that went in to playing the wonderful concerto, which I much enjoy playing myself. A good CD to help people come to love Vaughan Williams, but don't buy it for the Oboe Concerto - you'll be wasting your money.

I am so glad I bought this album!.......2000-11-04

I bought this album because it had two pieces I acutally knew the names of (Lark Ascending & Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis) and adored, never thinking I would also come to love the other pieces. Well I did and now am on a search to find more good works by Vaughan Williams! This is one of my most played cds and still gives me shivers with each listen :-)

Vaughan Williams: Sancta Civitas/Dona Nobis Pacem

Average customer rating:

Two works of peace and transcendence speak to our time
Vaughan Williams as the Pacifist
Do not miss this!
Astonishing performances of two masterpieces
Astonishing performances of two masterpieces

Vaughan Williams: Sancta Civitas/Dona Nobis Pacem

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5 / Valiant-for-Truth / The Pilgrim Pavement / Hymn-Tune Prelude on Song 13 / Psalm 23 / Prelude & Fugue in C minor - London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox
Barber: Prayers of Kierkegaard/Bartok: Cantata profanna/Vaughan Williams: Dona nobis pacem
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila / Domingo, Meier, Chung
Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (original 1913 version) / Butterworth: The Banks of Green Willow - London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox
Mahler: Symphonies 1-10; Das Lied von der Erde

ASIN: B000002RTA
Release Date: 1993-11-09

Tracks:

Dona nobis pacem: I. 'Agnus Dei' (Lento)
Dona nobis pacem: II. 'Beat! beat! drums!' (Allegro moderato)
Dona nobis pacem: III. Reconciliation (Allegro moderato)
Dona nobis pacem: IV. Dirge for Two Veterans (Moderato alla marcia)
Dona nobis pacem: V. 'The Angel of Death has been abroad' (L'istesso tempo)
Dona nobis pacem: VI. 'O man greatly beloved'
Sancta Civitas: I was in the spirit (Lento)
Sancta Civitas: And I Saw Heaven opened (Allegro)
Sancta Civitas: And I saw an angel standing in the sun (Meno mosso)
Sancta Civitas: Babylon the great is fallen (Lento)
Sancta Civitas: Rejoice over her O Heavens (Allegro moderato)
Sancta Civitas: And I saw a new heaven (Adagio)
Sancta Civitas: Therfore are they before the throne of God (Poco meno largo)
Sancta Civitas: And I saw a pure river
Sancta Civitas: Holy, Holy, Holy (Andante sostenuto)
Sancta Civitas: Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory (Poco animato)

Customer Reviews:

Two works of peace and transcendence speak to our time.......2006-06-30

These are two of Vaughan Williams' finest choral works in the English oratorio tradition ('Sancta Civitas' was his personal favorite) recorded in beautiful, heartfelt readings under Hickox, and notable for the powerful singing of Bryn Terfel, here at his youthful best in 1992.

Contrary to the reviewer below, VW wasn't a pacifist and these aren't pacifist works. Sancta Civitas is a vision of the Holy City described by St. John in the Book of Revelations, and although VW served in the trenches in the First World War, he remained idealistic, even redemptively mystical about the future. Written in the 1920's, Sancta Civitas is an oratorio whose dominant tone is shining and optimistic.

A decade later in the mid-30s, Dona Nobis Pacem, as its name says, is a prayer for peace. Like the earlier work, it combines Biblical verse with poetry from Walt Whitman (VW's favorite poet for setting to music). This time the composer has war and its horrors in mind, and there re many parallels both to the Verdi Requiem and Britten's War Requiem. but he doesn't resort to dissonance very often--we get gorgeous melodies and his firm belief in uplifting the audience. In that sense, both works are really Victorian rather than modern in their fervent tiumphal tone, except that VW happens to be more inspired than any Victorian composer England produced.

Vaughan Williams as the Pacifist.......2006-03-02

Ralph Vaughan Williams is far too often considered a secondary composers, one of the many gifted British artists whose works have never been as widely accepted (with notable exceptions!) as those from the European Continent. But Vaughan Williams is capable of powerful works that are deeply moving, especially when he celebrates the tradition of adding the human voice to his works ('Sea Symphony', Symphony Antarctica' etc).

In this very fine recording we hear two of his pleas for peace that were most assuredly inspired by England's stoic stand against the World Wars. The first work 'Dona Nobis Pacem, cantata for soprano, baritone, chorus & orchestra' deserves much wider audience exposure, especially in performances like this one that capitalizes on the fine London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Richard Hickox and adds the superb soloists Yvonne Kenny and Bryn Terfel whose voices not only are radiantly beautiful, but whose artistry gratefully includes perfect enunciation of the texts by Walt Whitman and John Bright and the bible. It is a deeply moving plea for peace.

The 'Sancta Civitas' is a pure British oratorio in the best sense of that moniker. The same forces are intact with the addition of the brilliant Philip Langridge with Bryn Terfel. Though the work does not hold the power of the previous work, it does provide some fine choral and solo writing. Hickox remains one of the finest conductors of the British school and these two works further that reputation! Recommended. Grady Harp, March 06

Do not miss this!.......2001-09-12

At last at U.S. markets , (funny) after I had to buy it from amazon.uk. Don't miss this extraordinary choral works that in crude (words) beats a lot of XX century choral music, like psalm symphony, cantata profana etc. Terfel breaths compasion in every word, with excepcional commitment. Deeply inspiring

Astonishing performances of two masterpieces.......2001-09-05

Vaughan Williams's 1926 oratorio "Sancta civitas" (The holy city) is a setting of texts from "Revelation", while his 1936 cantata "Dona nobis pacem" was a plea for peace when Europe was on the brink of WWII. There is debate as to which is the greater work, but both are impressive.

Hickox's recording of "Dona nobis pacem" is excellent (I rate it second, just behind the late Robert Shaw's on Telarc); the singing is first-rate throughout, and the finale is a roller coaster of emotions, from fear to joy to quiet dignity. Yvonne Kenny in particular handles her solos effortlessly.

That brings us to Hickox's definitive recording of "Sancta civitas." Using all the forces RVW recommended, the net result is incredible: the finale, "Heaven and earth are full of thy glory," is simply overwhelming, an incredible onslaught of sound, followed by one of the great surprises in all of 20th century music. And there are moments of great beauty as well: "Babylon the great is fallen" is a hushed lament (handled with even more skill than Walton's setting of the same text in "Belshazzar's Feast"), while "And I saw a new Heaven" is simply ravishing.

I recommend this CD highly and without reservation.

Astonishing performances of two masterpieces.......2001-09-05

I recommend this CD highly and without reservation.

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1. The Banks Of Green Willow
2. A London Symphony: I. Lento-Allegro risoluto
3. A London Symphony: II. Lento
4. A London Symphony: III. Scherzo (Nocturne): Allegro vivace-Andantino
5. A London Symphony: IV. Andante con moto-Maestoso alla marcia (quasilento)-Allegro-Andantino ma sostenuto-Tempo primo-Allegro-Lento-Epilogue: Andante sostenuto-Lento