Search - Ralph Vaughan Williams :: Vaughan Williams: Mass in G minor; Motets

Music of transcendant radiance!

Steven Eldredge | New York, NY USA | 01/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I will start out by admitting that I bought this CD on a lark, not being at all familiar with the Elora Festival Singers, and being usually prejudiced in favor of such blue-blooded English choirs as King's College Cambridge in this kind of music.To say I was pleasantly surprised is a big understatement. I am floored! This is choral singing of absolute sumptuousness, recorded in clear resonant sound. The main offering on the CD is the G minor Mass, RVW's 1921 evocation of the sonorities, polyphony and choral textures of the great English Tudor composers Tallis and Taverner. This rich, gorgeous and mystical work receives a most beautiful performance here, with the massed climaxes thrilling.In addition there are five motets, including the elaborate and colorful "Lord, Thou hast been our refuge" and "O taste and see" which was performed during communion at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and also at the composer's own funeral. An anthem and a hymn-setting round out a very generous recital, which at the super budget Naxos price is more than a bargain, it is a gift! If you have a love of beautiful choral music, English music, or just music that will lift your spirits and gladden your heart, this is it."

For the masses

J-c | Canada | 07/28/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"THIS is not the best recording of R.V.W.'s MASS in G. Although the Elora Singers find themselves doing really good things with the work on more than one occasion, they simply cannot compete with the likes of Matthew Best (Hyperion), New College of Oxford (Meridian) or Holst Singers (Unicorn, also available on Regis at budget price). My own favourite is on a not-so-recent record made by the Roger Wagner Chorale (Capitol LP); per chance, i kept a copy on tape. I am not sure if that's available on cd, perhaps as a bootleg [?]. There's also a persuasive recording from Richard Hickox (Chandos) that compares quite favorably with Dave Willcocks's King's College recording (EMI). Elora's account of the Mass isnt really 'bad'. If it is not mediocre, it is far from remarkable either. In conclusion : The most recommendable performance on cd (almost revelatory - with great quality of sound) is the one by Hilary Davan Wetton and his Holst Singers, which is and should remain available from Regis for just a few bucks over the price of the current Naxos."

Still Underrated

Michael Wilkens | Chicago | 03/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vaughn Williams is still an underrated composer, in my opinion--at least by the musical elite. But then again, so is choral music in general--except by the masses. These works are truly remarkable. Vaughn Williams's harmonic and literary mastery is evident throughout, and anyone who would like to know how to write for a chorus should know these works intimately."