Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Ralph Vaughan Williams with this captivating 1995 recording, reissued to delight both new and seasoned fans of classical music. This album is a treasure trove of lesser-known yet profoundly moving works by the esteemed British composer.
The centerpiece of the album is "Riders to the Sea," a poignant one-act opera based on J.M. Synge's play of the same name. This dramatic work is a powerful exploration of grief and resilience, set against the raw and unforgiving backdrop of the Irish coast. The opera's haunting melodies and evocative storytelling will leave a lasting impression.
Complementing the opera are two other gems from Vaughan Williams' repertoire: "Household Music" and "Flos Campi." "Household Music" is a trio of preludes inspired by Welsh hymn tunes, each piece brimming with warmth and nostalgia. The first movement, "Crug-Y-Bar," is a serene fantasia, while "St. Denio" is a lively scherzo, and "Aberystwyth" concludes the suite with a set of variations that are both intricate and deeply expressive.
"Flos Campi," a suite for solo viola, small chorus, and small orchestra, is a work of ethereal beauty. Inspired by the Song of Solomon, it blends orchestral and choral elements to create a sense of spiritual longing and transcendence. The six movements of "Flos Campi" are a journey through themes of love, loss, and redemption, each one more captivating than the last.
Recorded in January 2011 at the BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, Wales, this album benefits from the expertise of producer Rachel Smith and engineers Simon Eadon and Dave Rowell. The Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Richard Hickox, delivers a performance that is both technically impeccable and deeply expressive, bringing Vaughan Williams' music to life with remarkable clarity and depth.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes, this album is a substantial and rewarding listen. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Vaughan Williams or a newcomer to his music, this recording offers a rich and fulfilling experience that showcases the composer's unique ability to blend folk influences with sophisticated classical forms.
2015 Chandos Records2015 Chandos Records
Tracks
Riders to the Sea: Where is she? (Nora, Cathleen)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Ingrid Attrot, Lynne Dawson
Riders to the Sea: Isn't it turf enough you have (Maurya, Cathleen, Nora)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Lynne Dawson, Ingrid Attrot
Riders to the Sea: Where is the bit of new rope, Cathleen (Bartley, Cathleen, Nora, Mauyra)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Karl Morgan Daymond, Lynne Dawson, Ingrid Attrot, Linda Finnie
Riders to the Sea: He's gone now, God spare us (Maurya, Cathleen, Nora)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Lynne Dawson, Ingrid Attrot
Riders to the Sea: Wait, Nora, maybe she'd turn back quickly (Cathleen, Maurya)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Lynne Dawson, Linda Finnie
Riders to the Sea: You didn't give him his bit of bread? (Cathleen, Mauyra)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Lynne Dawson, Linda Finnie
Riders to the Sea: I went down to the spring well (Maurya, Nora, Cathleen)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Ingrid Attrot, Lynne Dawson
Riders to the Sea: Bartley will be lost now (Maurya, Nora, Cathlee, Woman, Chorus)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Ingrid Attrot, Lynne Dawson, Pamela Helen Stephen, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Riders to the Sea: They are all gone now (Maurya, Nora)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Ingrid Attrot
Riders to the Sea: And may he have mercy on my soul (Maurya, Chorus)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Household Music: I. Crug-Y-Bar. FantasiaRalph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Peter Francomb
Household Music: II. St. Denio. ScherzoRalph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Peter Francomb
Household Music: III. Aberystwyth. VariationsRalph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Peter Francomb
Flos campi: I. Sicut Lilium inter spinas, sic anima mea inter filias…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: II. Iam enim hiems transit. imber abiit, et recessit…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: III. Quaesivi quem diligit anima mea. quaesivi illum, et non inventi…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: IV. En lectulum Salomonis sexaginta fortes ambiunt…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: V. Revertere, revertere Sulamitis! Revertere, revertere ut intueamur te,Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: VI. Pone me ut signaculum super cor tuum.Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
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