Thoughtful
David Saemann | 12/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was the concluding volume in Bryden Thomson's Vaughan Williams series, recorded shortly before his death. The performance of the Ninth Symphony is one of the better ones. There is rich orchestral color, with Vaughan Williams's unusual orchestration being made much of. As with just about every Bryden Thomson recording, there is real electricity in the air. That said, I think that Kees Bakels's recording of the Ninth is a wee bit more incisive, but there is high drama in the last movement of Thomson's version that I would not want to do without. The recording of the Piano Concerto is an excellent reason to pick up this disc. There is an earlier Howard Shelley recording of the piece on Lyrita with Vernon Handley that I have not heard. Shelley's playing here is beautifully integrated with the response of the orchestra, a significant factor since this concerto does not follow the typical soloist-orchestra combat format. The last two movements are especially fine, with Shelley entering into the La Valse-like spirit of the finale. Sound engineering throughout the disc is spectacular, as you would expect from Chandos. In sum, this is a persuasive rendering of two of Vaughan Williams's lesser known but highly worthy pieces."
Fascinating Performances
David C. Green | Suwanee, GA USA | 07/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love the music of Ralph Vaughn Williams! His harmonies are lush and gorgeous, and the results are divine. Here we have the last of the RVW Symphonies, #9 (naturally, this gives people more reason to believe the "Curse of the Ninth"). In this symphony, he employs not only the large orchestral forces that include triple woodwinds, but he adds to those woodwinds with 2 alto saxes and a tenor sax. The result is very beautiful, and it makes the third movement simply mischevious-sounding as a result. He also includes a flugelhorn, which adds a nice mellow touch to the opening of the second movement. As for the concerto, the writing is intense, and the soloist is worked hard. In both of these recordings, Bryden Thomson (and Howard Shelley as pianist in the concerto) leads the LSO to victory, both sonically and structurally. The orchestra is dead on, and it shows. Every little twist in the music is heard, and the doom feeling one gets at times in the symphony is well-conveyed in this marvelous recording from Chandos. Also, the piano is well balanced with the orchestra in the concerto, and Shelley is a marvelous interpreter. I am more than happy to endorse this one, and I think you will be quite pleased with it."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1