Vaughan Williams Morphs Folk Songs into a Suite

 

One for each of the four seasons.

Having listened to a whole lot of recordings of Vaughan Williams folk songs, this choral/orchestral suite shows how many ways the composer can set his beloved British folk music.

And it is the orchestral underlay which makes this 40-minute cantata so successful. Sure his a cappella settings are beautiful, but here he completely transforms them.

Paired to Folk Songs of the Four Seasons is the odd cantata In Windsor Forest, another folk-song laden suite. Here, we have the female-only voiced version, which drops a movement from the mixed choir version. I consider it unfortunately incomplete, but the work was never that long to begin with.

What a joy to have David Willcocks leading another large-scale Vaughan Williams recording. If the man had a calling, it is leading music such as this as only he could do. Rest in Peace Sir David.

 

A review from 2023

What a joyous romp of a Vaughan Williams recording! The long awaited premier of the 45-minute Folk Songs of the Four Seasons sits alongside a new version of In Windsor Forest for women's chorus. Both are a welcome delight!

Many of the folk songs included in the Spring, Summer, and Autumn portions of Four Seasons had a life with Vaughan Williams as individual a cappella mixed choral arrangements, where many can still be found on EMI. Folk Songs of the Four Seasons’ versions are different than those; a large orchestral palate and women’s voices only, effectively divided by abilities. No surprise that RVW injects Christmas Carols into the Winter portion, and a delight it is.

In Windsor Forest is structured similarly, with a continuing hearty orchestrated folk song bent, but in four relatively brief movements. Perhaps for early-20th Century reasons of propriety, the second movement 'Drinking Song' from the original has been dropped.

What a divine advocacy it is to have a nearly 90-year old Sir David Willcocks leading here as if he were fresh out of the University. The occasion of this performance is brimming with life, where the performers are definitely giving it their all. A wonderous event!

The liner notes on the physical media and sonics are all at Albion’s high standards. The only competition with this recording is the orchestral suite of Folk Songs of the Seasons on Dutton (Albion’s is so much better, by the way), and Norman Del Mar’s recording of In Windsor Forest on EMI, with the Drinking Song for men's chorus included.

Otherwise, this recording is for all lovers of Vaughan Williams.

 

 

 

Work
In Windsor Forest (13.37)
Folk Songs of the Four Seasons (42.50)

Ensembles
English Voices
Clare College Choir
The Dmitri Ensemble
Sir David Willcocks, conductor

Label: Albion
Year: 2009
Timing: 55.22

 

 

 

If you want to know what kind of recording is right up my alley, this is it! Enter The Oozy Keep...

Willcocks had a way of bringing together professional orchestras with choruses of all types into some of the most successful performances I know.

This late-in-life performance shows there was no stopping Sir David nor his success.