Search - Ralph Vaughan Williams (Composer), Richard Hickox (Conductor), Gerald Finley (Baritone) :: Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Pilgrim's Progress - Gerald Finley / The Royal Opera Chorus / The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Richard Hickox

Superb. Vaughan Williams at his best. A must for VW fans

Frank (lakepch@sun-link.com) | Pennsylvania | 05/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not a traditional opera. VW described it as a 'Morality' and something to be performed on stage, not in a church.It is based on Bunyan's book, using many of his words which are very powerful but other words are from the Bible and elsewhere. The net effect is to capture the essence of Bunyan's allegory, certainly the spirituality. Man's search for spitituality was a theme of VW as early as 'Towards the Unknown Region' and the 'Sea Symphony'in the early years of the 20th Century. With 'Pilgrim's Progress', VW combined the early themes, ideas and music, with the maturity and experience of later life to produce a masterpiece.Not only are the words familiar but so is some of the music. The opening of the opera to the chords of the psalm tune 'York' is powerful and they are repeated as Bunyan speaks. They are back again at the end in the same way as Bunyan also returns to talk to the audience and invites them to go on a pilgrimage too. The familiar hymn 'Who would true valor see' is sung by the chorus in Act II, Scene I which VW wrote the tune in 1906.I found the music complimented the words and painting the scenes almost to the extent that the imagination can see the performance. (The excellent notes with the CDs also help). The anguish, passion, joy and ecstacy in Act I can all be felt. The Valley of Humiliation is signified by very foreboding music, a precursor to the fight with Apollyon. Even in some of the Entr'acts, there are gems such as Watchful's piece as well as the Woodcutter Boy's.The dynamics of the work, with moods going from anxiety and despair to ecstacy, torment to peace throughout work extremely well. Having Bunyan introduce the work at the start and 'sum up' at the end, works is very effective.For someone who is familiar with VW's works, even if it is just the 'Tallis Fantasia', at the minimum this is something to listen to. For someone who is familia with VW's choral works, it is something they will want to have. I cannot comment on earlier recordings of this work since I have not heard them nor have I seen the work on stage, but I think it would be very hard to top this recording.I am an unashamed VW fan, completely biased, and believe this work is one of his best and a masterpiece that should be shared with the worldwide musical audience. especially the lovers of opera and choral music, in particular.I unresearvedly recomment this work."