Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem/Four Hymns/Toward The Unknown Region/O Clap Your Hands/Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Re [Import]

Ralph Vaughan Williams (Composer), Matthew Best (Conductor), Corydon Orchestra (Orchestra), Judith Howarth (Performer), John Mark Ainsley (Performer), Thomas Allen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Judith Howarth, John Mark Ainsley, Thomas Allen
• Orchestra: Corydon Orchestra
• Conductor: Matthew Best
• Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams
• Audio CD (February 1, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZSU
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,181 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dona nobis pacem. I. Dona nobis pacem

2. Dona nobis pacem. II. Beat! Beat! Drums!

3. Dona nobis pacem. III. Reconciliation

4. Dona nobis pacem. IV. Dirge for Two Veterans

5. Dona nobis pacem. V.

6. Four Hymns. I. Lord! Come away!

7. Four Hymns. II. Who is this fair One?

8. Four Hymns. III.Come Love, Come Lord

9. Four Hymns. IV. Evening Hymn

10. Toward the Unknown Region

11. O clap your hands (Psalm 47)

12. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge (Psalm 90)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superior recording, October 20, 2000

By 

reviewer in Down East Maine "Joyce" (Lamoine, Maine United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem/Four Hymns/Toward The Unknown Region/O Clap Your Hands/Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Re (Audio CD)

Matthew Best and the Corydon Singers have made one of the finest, precise recordings of RVW's choral works. No muddy sound from a cathedral, it is clear and precise. The range of warmth and excitement appropriate to each piece will satisfy choral afficionados. Ainsley's interpretation of "Four Hymns" is arresting. "O clap your hands" makes my heart quicken. If you've wanted the "Dona Nobis" THIS is the recording.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great modern-day recording, June 19, 2002

By 

C. Anderson James "cajames" (Whitestone, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem/Four Hymns/Toward The Unknown Region/O Clap Your Hands/Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Re (Audio CD)

This was actually the second recording of the Dona Nobis Pacem that I purchased. I can't decide if I prefer this modern-day recording or the historical recording (released by Pearl) with the composer conducting. If you enjoy Vaughan Williams or choral music, both should actually be in your library, but this recording's greater sound quality probably qualifies it more for the more casual listener. Enjoy both of them from time to time!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best's is best, May 30, 2006

By 

Henry Slofstra (Waterloo, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem/Four Hymns/Toward The Unknown Region/O Clap Your Hands/Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Re (Audio CD)

Deeming a particular recording 'best' is highly subjective but the pun could not be resisted. All the same, of the four recordings of 'Dona Nobis Pacem' that I own, this is my favourite. (As someone once asked me, why would you own four recordings of the same piece? My answer, because that's all that are available.) No one recording of this cantata is superlative in every single respect. For example, Thomson's features the best soprano performance, that of Edith Wiens. Hickox with the LSO has perhaps better orchestral playing and terrific crescendos, and the best 'Beat Beat Drums' section. But I prefer Best's recording for two reasons. First, because of his attention to nuance. The trailing voices on the phrase 'this soiled world', the ominous, distant tympani in the Agnus Dei, the way the Dirge section builds, then fades to piano on "All the channels", and the complex segues from trumpet to organ to strings in the final section, all reveal a loving attention to the details of this hugely variegated score. Second, and more important, this performance most eloquently captures the passion of the subject and of Whitman's poetry. For example, the baritone solo and violin in the 'Reconciliation' section are so well paced and achingly well played and sung. 'Reconciliation' is perhaps the most important section of the oratorio, and Best's version is unsurpassingly sublime. The fact that there are perhaps fewer voices in the choir is evident in the final 'Glory to God', but I feel that overall the singing is more expressive than say, Shaw's version where the choir's velvety smoothness and fullness fails to convey any excitement at all. The soprano, Judith Howarth, is lovely and ethereal especially in the sustains of the opening passages. As for the rest of the recording, the 'Four Hymns' pair well with the Cantata. 'Toward the Unknown Region', an earlier Vaughan Williams work, is also well done, and provides another wonderful Vaughan Williams' setting of Walt Whitman's work. I could say more, but recommend this recording without reservation.