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.
And it is the Vaughan Williams Phantasy Quintet which is the most satisfying here, featuring the composer's penchant for plaintive pastoral settings and rustic whimsy.

On the other hand, I forget how 'modern' sounding Vaughan Williams could be. The last of his two String Quartets surprise this listener with extra musical techniques.

I like that this particular recording from the Medici Quartet is expressive whilst also giving the music some muscle. Since all three works fit on one CD, there are many other recordings with this exact same program, so there should be plenty to choose from. I have found this performance to be the most persuasive.

A review from 2023

For as popular a composer as Ralph Vaughan Williams is, his string quartets and String Quintet have never really caught fire on record.

The Phantasy Quintet is pure Vaughan Williams, and is perhaps his most satisfying chamber work for this listener. Landscape pastoralism opens the work, but there is plenty of VW rustic wit awaiting later on.

RVW’s second string quartet lies opposite the Quintet, in that it inhabits his wartime period. It is moody and unsettled until its beautifully peaceful epilogue. The vibratoless third mvt. is perhaps the most stark Romanza setting VW has ever written, although the Medici can all but help pouring on the espressivo when the composer allows.

The first quartet sits between the two works thematically; VW is exploring a serious voice as a young composer, but perhaps rambles too much and his debt to other influences shine more than his own.

There are a number of fine sets of this exact same program, the most popular is probably the Maggini on Naxos, who have a lovely lyrical quality. The Tippett Quartet’s string technique, on Somm, sounds too modern for my tastes, while the Nash Ensemble on Hyperion has a wonderful Quintet.

The Medici Quartet here on Nimbus provide more than mere beauty though; they are willing to expose sinew, particularly in SQ2, and the sonics afforded from Snape Maltings is wonderful.

 

 

 

Works
Phantasy Quintet (15.24)
String Quartet 1 in G minor (29.23)
String Quartet 2 in A minor (20.25)

Ensembles
Simon Rowland-Jones, piano
Medici Quartet
   Paul Robertson, violin
   David Matthews, violin
   Ivo Jan van der Werff, viola
   Anthony Lewis, cello

Label: Nimbus
Year: 1989
Timing: 65.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The string quartets aren't my favorite pieces from Vaughan Williams, but the Phantasy Quintet does more for me.

Yet, I would never part with this recording, which features the Medici Quartet in excellent performances.