Sir Roger Norrington, one of the most respected British conductors, leads the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a powerful performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams's two major works of the pre-war era. Also included is an earlier recording of his Serenade to Music written in 1938. Together, these three pieces form the third instalment in Decca's acclaimed Vaughan Williams Symphony cycle.
Symphony No.2, entitled A London Symphony, and the Tallis Fantasia are both inspired by the composer's love of his country, culture and historic traditions. Both were written prior to 1914 and reflect a distinct nationalism. Although marked by a distinctive "English soul", his lovely compositions have been accepted around the world as music of great inherent character and beauty. Whilst A London Symphony is monumental, the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is considered one of the most sublime masterpieces of English string music.
The third piece, Serenade to Music was written as an occasional work for the conductor Henry Wood's jubilee. After the original recording, a critic proclaimed that "the work destroyed the argument that great poetry is unsuitable for music. Every note goes straight to the soul!" On this release (as in the original) the piece is sung by a distinguished group of 16 solo singers. And, thanks to modern recording techniques, the result is even more sensuous.
"Impressive in its refreshing rhythmic vigour and luminous refinement. There are, as ever with this conductor, countless moments of textural illumination along the way. What's more the LPO respond with splendid discipline"
Gramophone
"Sumptuous, high-class orchestral playing … there are some positively glowing sounds"
Gramophone
 |
||
|
Symphony No.2 & Tallis Fantasia
|
|
|
||
 |
||
|
467 047-2 DH |
|
|
||
 |
||
|
August 2000
|
|
|
||
 |
|||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|||||
 |
||
|
London Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Roger Norrington Dame Felicity Lott, Lisa Milne, Rosa Mannion, Yvonne Kenny, Ann Murray, Diana Montague, Della Jones, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, John Mark Ainsley, Toby Spence, Tim Robinson, Stephen Roberts, Christopher Maltman, Michael George, Robert Lloyd |
|
|
||
 |
||
|
The Colosseum, Watford, 25–27 November 1996*, 15, 16 December 1997**, 28 June–3 July 1996*** |
|
|
||