Vaughan Williams Riders to the sea / Flos Campi
P. T. Dukes | London, United Kingdom | 01/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an excellent CD. Wonderful orchestral work performed by the Northern Sinfonia & conducted by Richard Hickox. Not a very well know piece unfortunetly from Vaughan williams but this CD will introduce you brillantly to this magnificent work. My favourite piece on this CD is the Flos Campi, performed by this fantastic young British viola player Philip Dukes. What a beautiful performance he did on this Flos Campi. ***** That's the rate I'll give for this exceptional CD. powerful viola tune, never heard a viola sounding so clear and c"
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David Brooks | Spruce Grove, AB Canada | 03/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Flos Campi" is some of the most sensuous and quasi-erotic music Vaughan Williams ever wrote, taking its inspiration from the biblical Song of Solomon. Although Vaughan Williams labelled the work Suite for solo viola, mixed chorus and small orchestra, its a misleading title because the sections while distinct, follow without a signficant break. The chorus is wordless throughout with each 6 sections prefixed with a quatation in latin. Unfortunately "Flos Campi" has never found itself as a mainstream concert repertoire even though its one of the better works for viola and orchestra."Household Music" making its premier recording is as the title might suggest, music that can be played on whatever instrument that were on hand."