Cliff Notes Version

 

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

The orchestral Suite does provide the big moments, and will be for those who don't enjoy singing. Otherwise, go find Sir David Willcocks exploring that entire cantata.

The others here are minor work, both perky, such as the Bucolic Suite and Serenade, as well as thoughtful, heard in the Dark Pastoral with Guy Johnston on cello.

 

 

A review from 2023

Dutton offers another contribution to the rare Vaughan Williams orchestral front from Matin Yates and the RSNO, here in the form of four orchestrated works, arranged, edited, or completed by others.

The Folk Songs of the Four Seasons Suite is a 15-minute, orchestral only edition, created from a 40-minute cantata, found in its full form on Albion under Sir David Willcocks. I would imagine this concert suite would only be for those allergic to singing voices, for that cantata performance is brimming with life and vitality. Otherwise, in its instrumental form, this reminds me of RVW’s English Folk Song Suite.

The Bucolic Suite and Serenade in A minor are perky, energetic, nigh-upon cinematic sounding orchestral works. They definitely have that grandiose Romantic Era feel, with some lyrical moments to feature individual instruments, as RVW was oft to do. Serenade's Romance movement is that work's high point.

David Matthews’ completed Dark Pastoral is more yearning than the rest of the program. Guy Johnston gives the solo cello a beautiful workout during its runtime. As the piece goes on, RVW adds unusual touches of modernism which really makes the work stand out.

While the Four Seasons was more a cliff notes work for me, the rest are wholly satisfying, orchestrally colourful and imaginative, and not really found anywhere else on record at the moment.

 

 

 

Works
Folk Songs of the Four Seasons: Suite (24.11)
Bucolic Suite (7.11)
Dark Pastoral (15.49)
Serenade in A minor(0.41)

Soloists
Guy Johnston, cello

Ensembles
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Martin Yates, conductor

Label: Dutton
Year: 2012
Timing: 71.23

 

 

 

Greater pleasures exist here than other Dutton and Albion recordings of lesser-known Vaughan Williams I have heard recently.

Certainly, the performances do not disappoint. Yet, this is lesser music from the composer and Dutton recordings can be costly to find.