Search - Vaughan Williams, Wordsworth :: Orchestral Works: Fantasia on Greensleeves; Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis; Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1; In the Fen Country"

Take me away, Vaughan Wiiliams.

Brian Humphreys | Knoxville, Tennessee | 01/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am pleased to report that I have acquired what Jim Svejda calls "the gentle addiction of Ralph Vaughan Williams's music." The music contained on this CD is lush without being sloppy. I purchased it mainly for "The Lark Ascending," and I am very pleased with Wordsworth's tempi and clarity; e.g., as compared to Previn's recording. But my heart soared when I heard the CD's sumptuous recording of "Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus.'" The rendition is breathtaking and the sound is rich and full. The "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" is very good, but I prefer Slatkin's version. In sum, if my CD collection is ever destroyed or stolen, this if one of the first CDs that I will purchase again."

Powerful and then gentle, always beautiful

Steven Guy | Croydon, South Australia | 09/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a pity that there aren't more recordings from the New Queen's Hall Orchestra. I have only two, this one and a recording of overtures and preludes by Wagner. Both are superb recordings AND on period instruments!



I doubt that I've ever heard a better Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis then the one on this disc. The strings are stiring and simply beautiful. This really is a revelation.



The works on this disc are familiar to most music lovers - the Lark Ascending, with a solo played on a gut-strung violin at a slightly lower pitch than normal, the Fantasia on Greensleeves, featuring a wooden flute, Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1, Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus' and 'In the Fen Country'.



Barry Wordsworth directs the New Queen's Hall Orchestra playing late 19th century instruments. The recording is clear, atmospheric and flawless.



I return to this disc often, even though I am not a huge fan of the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams.



It's a pity this ensemble hasn't made more recordings of Vaughan Williams or, perhaps, Elgar!



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