Search - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Barry Wordsworth, Neville Marriner :: Lark Ascending - The Soft Sounds of Vaughan Williams (London)

Great introduction to Vaughan Williams

12/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This excellent CD provides a wonderful introduction to Vaughan Williams' work. It contains his more popular works, the most notable being the Lark Ascending, Fantasia on Greensleeves, and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. The latter is wonderfully performed, with a lush sound that underscores the beauty of the melody. Vaughan Williams is unfortunately underrated as a composer. I hope his works will experience a renaissance of sorts. Perhaps this CD will contribute to it."

Good if not for the oboe...

Ian Wisekal | Long Island, NY, USA | 03/19/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This recording features wonderful renditions of many of Vaughan Williams' most heralded compositions. The Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is one of the best I've heard, as are most of the other pieces on this CD. However, the (incomplete) Oboe Concerto is of mediocre quality. Being an oboist, I am naturally critical of oboe playing, but I must say that at times even an untrained ear can discern the utter lack of taste that went in to playing the wonderful concerto, which I much enjoy playing myself. A good CD to help people come to love Vaughan Williams, but don't buy it for the Oboe Concerto - you'll be wasting your money."

One of those Collection CDs that Merits Adding to the Librar

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Often pasted together excerpts on the basis of a theme or a specific artist can be annoyingly disjointed. This is an exception to that rule. While many people appreciate the majestic symphonies by Ralph Vaughn Williams, there is a larger audience waiting to be introduced to one f the masters of British melody. Here is a selection of some of the more moody but eloquent works by a great composer too often dismissed.



The CD collection of 'Soft Sounds' is divided among several groups. Works on the collection include performances from the New Queen's Hall Orchestra (Barry Wordsworth, conductor), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Sir Neville Marriner, conductor), and the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Sir Adrian Boult, conducing). These fine orchestras survey 'The Lark Ascending, romance for violin & orchestra' with a sensitive Hagai Shaham as soloist, 'Fantasia on Greensleeves, for harp, flute & strings', the Oboe Concerto in A minor' with Celia Nicklin soloist, the 'Lento' from 'The London Symphony', the 'Concerto grosso for strings' (Sarabande), 'English Folk Song Suite', and the much loved 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, for 2 string orchestras'.



There are no attempts to connect these works except through the concept of 'soft music' and there are individually finer performances of some on other recordings. But for a soothing, tranquil hour of gorgeous music to tame the savage world, this is one of those CDs that will serve the listener well - and hopefully increase Vaughn Williams' audience! Grady Harp, September 06



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