Vaughan Williams and Holst in Chorus

 

Plus others!

There are two recordings on EMI of these choral folk songs:

One is called Choral Folksong Arrangements which is made up of Disc 1 only from this reviewed set (video at bottom) and Bushes and Briars, this 2CD set with more Holst, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and others' choral music.

The vintage of this recording, while collated in 1995, was recorded in the late-60s to mid-70s.


Christopher Bishop's London Madrigal Singers, a mixed chorus, cover the folk songs of Vaughan Williams on CD1, while the Baccholian Singers of London, a men's octet led by tenor Ian Partridge, perform the rest of the program. The English Chamber Orchestra and the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble join in on the first six tracks of CD2.

There is a pleasantly wide range of choral literature here. From simple folk-song settings, to  modern takes from Holst, and a couple more from the likes of Elgar, Britten, Bax, Warlock, and Delius, there is a lot to enjoy here. Luckily, the singing is first rate and the pub art on the cover is an absolute hoot!

 

 

A review from 2023

The granddaddy of British choral music recordings from the early-to-mid 70’s, was remastered in the mid 90’s. The first disc (of 2) was later reissued all on its own on Warner as well. The London Madrigal Singers, a mixed chorus, and the Baccholian Singers of London, a men’s chorus, contain famous British singers from that time period, and fine singing it is!

I couldn’t imagine a better sung collection of folk songs from Ralph Vaughan Williams. His most famous are all here and they are wonderfully led by Christopher Bishop. The singers utilize vibrato of the period, but I don’t find anything off-putting about its application here at all, and it all sounds so British-ly authentic. In many ways, the Madrigal Singers remind me of the classic recordings of the Robert Shaw Chorale; nothing gaudy or overcooked, but beautifully lyrical and utterly timeless singing.

The Baccholian Singers men’s octet cover the rest of the program. In comparison to RVW, Holst and Elgar’s partsongs sound relatively modern and experimental, but not without a mix of wit (here’s looking at you Blacksmith). In addition, the ECO and Philip Jones Brass Ensemble are along for the ride in the Holst, most effectively in the Dirge for Two Veterans. A handful of composers have single tunes on this recording: Howells, Bax, Delius, Warlock, and Britten’s wonderful Ballad of Little Musgrave.

Despite only being an ensemble of eight, the BSoL are a ruddy, full sounding men’s ensemble, closely recorded to hear each and every part upfront. Equally the LMS of adult women and men are beautifully proportioned and balanced, yet remarkably present and closeup. EMI’s sound is excellent, as are the liner notes with song texts, historical photos, and fun pub-art cover images.

 

 

 

 

Soloists
Ian Partridge, tenor

Ensembles
Baccholian Singers of London
London Madrigal Singers
Christopher Bishop, conductor

Label: EMI
Year: 1970-78; 1995
Timing: 2.29.03

 

 

 

 

My favorite recording of Vaughan Williams' folk songs, with the bonus of much, much more music.

The singing is old-fashioned by today's standards, but full-hearted and effective. A true treasure!