Customer Reviews

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves; Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis; Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1; Concerto Gr

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There have certainly been many wonderful recordings of the popular short orchestral pieces of Ralph Vaughan Williams, among them those of Sir Adrian Boult and André Previn, favorites of many RVW fanciers. For someone coming to these pastoral classics for the first time, though, this issue deserves real consideration. Here we have the familiar and deservedly popular 'Fantasia on the Theme of Thomas Tallis,' and the 'Fantasia on Greensleeves,' the latter drawn from his sinfully neglected and utterly delightful opera, 'Sir John in Love.' There is also the somewhat less familiar 'Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1.' A good deal less well known to casual RVW listeners are the tone poem, 'In the Fen Country,' and the 'Concerto Grosso' for string orchestra. All of them are played here by one of the top orchestras Down Under, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra led by British conductor James Judd, whose recordings with this orchestra and the Florida Philharmonic have made his name familiar to discerning record collectors. I would particularly recommend his recording of the symphonies by New Zealand's pre-eminent composer, Douglas Lilburn, with the NZSO. If you like Sibelius, you'll like Lilburn.

But I digress. This issue deserves real praise. Even though this is a budget CD the performances are comparable to the top echelon of similar full-price releases, and are better than many of them. You can't go wrong here. The playing is nuanced, the sound is crystal clear. The wide dynamic range makes it possible to hear the utterly soft playing called for in, say, the Tallis Fantasia as well as the full climaxes in that and the other pieces. Recommended.

TT=60:26

Scott Morrison

As one listens to the opening bars of the Norfolk Rhapsody, there is no doubt that this is Vaughan Williams in his finest form. The work is unmistakably British in character and is fueled by folk melodies throughout. The Rhapsody opens with a very simple, calm theme and Vaughan Williams develops the work through masterful orchestration into a hauntingly beautiful, immensly satisfing song that is truly touching. This gives way to an energetic dance that is very pleasing and, as with all inspiration for this piece, unmistakably British folk music. The work returns to its original thematic material and draws to a close very beautifully. It is a very satisfying work that never fails to please a listener.

The Fantasia on Greenesleeves is also a fantastic work that glories in its simplicity. A furtive opening in the flute and oboe set the stage for a beatiful treatment of the old Greensleeves melody. Upon the end of the first presentation of the Greensleeves tune, he gives us a contrasting melody that, like the Norfolk Rhaposdy and the Greensleeves tune itself, is rooted in British folk song. It is a wonderful melody and is a very beautiful combination with the Greensleeves melody. Vaughan Williams finishes with a return of Greenesleeves. Its beauty is ver much due to its utter simplicity throughout. Scored for a very small orchestra, Vaughan Williams proves that he is a master of orchestration - he truly found the perfect combination of instruments for this work. It is altogether one of the most beautiful treatments of a popular Christmas carol and deserves to be on every Holiday Concert program!

The Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis is perhaps Vaughan Williams most beautiful work, haunting, majestic, and uplifting all at once. His writing for string orchestra here is unparalleled and never ceases to amaze. This work is scored for a soli string quartet, a full size string orchestra, and a second string orchestra consisting of a single muted desk from each section. He uses them all to great effect and captivates the listener brilliantly. This work will give you chills when you hear it for the first time, and every time thereafter.

This recording is splendid and does these works great justice. I have not commented on every work contained in this recording but all are wonderful and beautifully performed. I highly recommend this recording to any lover of British music, Vaughan Williams, and great music in general. No music library is complete without these works, particularly the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis.

This cd is fantastic; it has so many great songs on it. I would recommend it to anyone who truly appreciates fine music.

James Judd's conducting of the masterpiece here, the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, is at least the equal of, and is perhaps the best of, the top competition, which are the recordings by Boult, Karajan, and Groves. Choosing between these four is hard, because they're all similar, but I give the edge to Judd's performance as the most intensely meditative, and as building and subsiding the most effectively from this work's enthralling climax. Judd actually out-does all other conductors in exploiting this work's extreme dynamic contrasts, and in doing it in a way that makes architectonic sense.

Also, this is the best single CD collection of Vaughan Williams's short symphonic works -- a terrific introduction to the music of England's unqualifiedly great composer.

No one who loves the music of VW or who seeks an introduction to his music is likely to regret having bought this gem of a CD, especially at its low price.

The New Zealand Symphony under James Judd deliver some really moving

performances of some of RVW's best Orchestral Works. The opening work,

The Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis recieves a slightly faster than

normal reading, but not an unagreeable one. The Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1, the reason I purchased this CD, leaves me wanting more of the same.

The Concerto Grosso is a new piece to me, and I found myself enjoying it from the start. As for the usual RVW calling card "Fantasia on Greensleeves" it receives a fine performance too. The sound on this Naxos CD is excellent for a "budget" CD. I can only hope that Mr. Judd and the

New Zealanders will record more of RVW's music in the future. The reason I

bought this disc was that I heard the Norfolk Rhapsody on NPR late one Sunday night and fell in love with the work at first hearing.

Wonderful except as in most recordings these days, have to keep adjusting the volumn for quiet sections of the movement and then again when blasted by the crescendo's.