Search - Vaughan Williams, Handley, Lpo :: Job-A Mask for Dancing

A fine performance, and a sonic blockbuster

R. J. Claster | Van Nuys, CA United States | 05/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Job is a work that has been preeminately associated with the late Sir Adrian Boult, but I feel that this is an equally fine reading. The tempi are somewhat more measured than in either of Boult's two stereo recordings on Everest and EMI, but, to me, this serves to further emphasize the nobility and majesty of the music without slighting the anger and sarcasm in the music's portrayal of Satan and Job's comforters.
The clincher for me is that the dynamic range of this recording far exceeds that of either of the Boults, a quality that really makes a difference in this music, especially, I think, in the Job's Curse/A vision of Satan passage, where the orchestra with organ are going at full tilt.
Therefore, in spite of the fact that this recording, unlike the Boults, contains no other selections, I would strongly recommend it."

Superb 'Job,' but try to find later CFP reissue w/ couplings

Nicholas A. Deutsch | New York, NY USA | 03/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree entirely with the previous reviewer about the superb quality both of Vaughan Williams's ballet score 'Job' and the outstanding performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Vernon Handley. Let me just point out that in 2002 Classics for Pleasure/EMI reissued this version coupled with performances by the same forces of two RVW 'hits': 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis' and 'Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus"'(Cat No 7243 5 75314 2 9), for a total time of 77'. Worth seeking out."