A Splendid Set of Vaughan Williams

 

From Sir Richard Hickox, who left us too early.

Hickox is one of few success stories where a choral leader made the transition to become a major orchestral conductor.

The ruggedness of the Northern Sinfonia of England adds to the wonderfulness of this recording. Not that there isn't beauty, for there is plenty on hand, yet with rarities such as Old King Cole or The Running Set who would want to compete? Spread over 2CDs, there is a whole lot of music too!

 

 A review from 2023

A terrific compilation of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ orchestral and concertante works. A few rarities make this production stand out, and the sheer amount of music (not including the symphonies) is most welcome.

The first CD (of 2) features rather extroverted music. Old King Cole is a 20-minute romp of a ballet, featuring violin solo as The Fiddler’s Three and chorus mostly singing La’s and Ah’s. Pair it with RVW’s Poisoned Kiss Overture, The Running Set, 49th Parallel Prelude, and Sea Songs, and the vitality almost becomes too much. Fortunately, the orchestral version of Serenade to Music, Prelude on an Old Carol, and Stephen Roberts’ performance of Five Mystical Songs even out the upbeat moods.

The Violin and Oboe Concerto on CD2 are the other major works here. These are not typically melodious concertante works, but are notable more for their moods, textures, and sprung rhythms. Both the Lark Ascending and Dives and Lazarus sound too Plain-Jane here to make an indelible impression on this listener. The many sets of preludes and fantasias round out a very full program of over 2 ½ hours.

The Northern Sinfonia plays beautifully, even if their tone is slightly rustic sounding. The Newcastle Upon Tyne recording locations bring the winds up close for an exciting sound, but throw the horn back a bit too much. Richard Hickox gives vitality to much of this music, and rarely gilds the lily akin to others.

My favorite collection of Vaughan Williams’ orchestral and concertante music is that by Bryden Thomson on Chandos with the LSO, and the LPO also on Chandos. They achieve a plush orchestral sound that is divine, whereas Hickox is more earthbound.

Nevertheless, this is a fabulous collection, and despite my nit-pickery, everything is really quite enjoyable, especially for the rare Old King Cole ballet, played here with real enthusiasm; moreso than Manze on Onyx, and with better sound than Adrian Boult on Decca.

 

 

 

Soloists
Stephen Roberts, baritone
Bradley Creswick, violin
Roger Winfield, oboe

Performers
Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Northern Sinfonia of England
Richard Hickox, conductor

Label: EMI
Year: 1984-88; 2000
Total Timing: 2.36.47
    CD1: 77.51
    CD2: 78.56

 

 

 

A terrific tribute to a terrific British conductor.

The more popular pieces might not be reference performances here, but the vitality in this music is infectious.