An Early Oratorio from Haydn

 

Be prepared to spend some time with it too.

Want some Church Hymns for Christmas?

 

Here are some!

Hymn-like Carols

 

That is what these sound like.

A Splendid Set of Vaughan Williams

 

From Sir Richard Hickox, who left us too early.

Cliff Notes Version

 

Today, we can enjoy the complete Folk Songs of the Four Seasons.

Across the Atlantic

 

That is how these Dutton Epoch recordings make their way to me.

Never Trust Pan

 

Especially when the Greek God has a wispy moustache.

Much to Love

 

That how it is with the music of Vaughan Williams.

Vaughan Williams Morphs Folk Songs into a Suite

 

One for each of the four seasons.

Disaster Awaits!

 

Based on a true story.

Let Us Avoid Politics

 

That is a tough one considering the places pictured on this cover.

Vaughan Williams and Holst in Chorus

 

Plus others!

A Curious Combination

 

Both Vocal and Orchestral are programmed together.

Self Recommending

 

From William Vann leading the Royal Hospital Chelsea Chapel Choir.

Shakespeare Returns

 

I love the art of Falstaff.

Albion's Pursuit of Vaughan Williams

 

The label has unearthed much from the composer.

Vaughan Williams Through Others

 

That is what Dutton does best in Vaughan Williams.

A Mix of Sacred and Secular

 

Including Ralph Vaughan Williams' great Mass in G minor.

Tough Times in Antarctica

 

Even the color of the cover art makes me feel ill.

Sacred Music of Vaughan Williams

 

Including the great Mass in G.

Vaughan Williams at Cambridge

 

And a resurrection of the composer's Doctoral studies Mass.

Vaughan Williams and the Brass Band

 

Apparently, he didn't care for the sound.

Vaughan Williams and Voice

All but one of these items features solo voice or chorus with orchestra.

I Hope He Gets There!

 

The titular Pilgrim, that is...

A Phantasy from Vaughan Williams

 

The history of Walter Willson Cobbett and his calling for Phantasy chamber music is an interesting tidbit of music history.

Stalwart of Vaughan Williams

 

Who?

Bryden Thomson!

A Vaughan Williams Voice Recital

 

I don't listen to many vocal recordings.

Boult, Davies, and Willcocks

 

A British conducting triumvirate.

It's a Tough Life by the Sea

 

Settle in for a dreary tale.

The Thing About Sir David

 

What a career!

Another Dynamite Collection of Vaughan Williams

Here, from Boult and Willcocks.

Gift of the Irish

While I have reviewed each of the individual portions of this collection, this is the one I held onto.

In Ireland

Harty's An Irish Symphony may be the composer's masterpiece.

Keep your Derry Aire to yourself!

Wordless voice can be such an effective technique in orchestral music, I am surprised it isn't used more often.

Can you say Rotogravure?

I love the old-timey photographs from this series! Doesn't it make you want to say dames, gams, and Rotogravure?!?

Choral Music of Note

Joseph Marx's orchestrated songs aren't hurting for recordings, but what a find for choral music lovers.

Youth Regained

I tend to enjoy the early works of composers more than I should. After all, composers really only get interesting once they break from the mold of influences and burst forth into their own. Right?

The Snooze Button

Odd Delius chose such mundane titles, while his orchestral music titles often evoke peaceful landscapes and garden settings.

Liner Notes from Hades

Should a recording be mainly remembered for its liner notes?

Growing as time moves on...

 

Delius in the Fjords

The travels of Delius in his younger days are an interesting time to read about. It is amazing to me how the genesis of inspiration and the cone of influence combine to create a unique artistic expression.

Meditations on Mountaineering

When reviewing recordings, I usually rate Delius above- average, but rarely does his music rise to outstanding for me. This is one of those recordings which really hit me in the right moment, at the right place.
Music is at its best when it finds you unprepared for its greatness.

Round up your Best Soloists

 

Opera or Mass?