Symphonies 4 & 5

Vaughan Williams (Artist), BBC Symphony Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2000)
• Label: Avid [Dead]
• ASIN: B000009OE1
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,344,918 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 4 in F minor: Allegro

2. Symphony No. 4 in F minor: Andante moderato

3. Symphony No. 4 in F minor: Scherzo: Allegro molto

4. Symphony No. 4 in F minor: Finale con epilogo fugato: Allegro molto

5. Symphony No. 5 in D major: Preludio: Moderato

6. Symphony No. 5 in D major: Scherzo: Presto

7. Symphony No. 5 in D major: Romanza: Lento

8. Symphony No. 5 in D major: Passacaglia: Moderato

9. The Wasps, Aristophanic Suite, for orchestra from the incidental music: Overture, Aristophanic Suite

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbirolli's Interpretation of RVW's 5th still tops!, December 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Symphonies 4 & 5 (Audio CD)

Sir John, a personal acquaintance of Ralph Vaughan Williams, knew, more than any other, what was in the mind of the composer when he wrote the beautiful 5th symphony. Other than Sir Adrian Boult, who also recorded a stunning performance, no one knew the thoughts that raced through RVW's mind as the end neared of England's involvement in World War II. The composer's predictions that the world would once again be a safer place, and there would once again be harmony, are seemingly predicted in this work! Barbirolli captures the mind of RVW with this "to-the-text" interpretation. Barbirolli's command of the Halle Orchestra only examplfies that ensemble's understanding of the English mind in music. Since this was first recorded in the early 60's, it is second to none and only Sir Adrian can come close!