Ralph Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony (1,2,a); A London Symphony (2); A Pastoral Symphony (3,c); Symphony #4 in F minor (3); Symphony #5 in D Major (2); Symphony #6 in E minor (3); Sinfonia antarctica (1,2,b); Symphony #8 in D minor (2); Symphony #9 in E minor (2) (a) Sheila Armstrong, soprano
(a) John Carol Case, baritone
(b) Norma Burrowes, soprano
(c) Margaret Price, soprano
(1) London Philharmonic Choir
(2) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Adrian Boult
(3) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Adrian Boult
Recorded between 1967 & 1971
Warner Classics (EMI) 87484-2 5CDs ADD
Sir Adrian Boult plays Vaughan Williams
For anyone looking to explore the symphonies of Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) this famous set recorded by Sir Adrian Boult for HMV/EMI between 1967 and 1971, and reissued by Warner Classics at an attractive price, is still a clear first choice. While clearly not neglected on disc Vaughan Williams’s symphonies are hardly ever heard in the concert-halls. There are first-rate complete sets by Bernard Haitink, Vernon Handley, and André Previn among others, yet one doesn’t get any closer to his particular and ever-changing sound-world than with Sir Adrian Boult, who knew the composer since his Oxford student-days, premiered three of his symphonies and remained a close friend and lifelong champion of his music. Read the full review on Classical Net
