Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Ralph Vaughan Williams' compositional genius with this captivating album, released on August 1, 1995, under the prestigious Chandos label. Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 18 minutes, this classical masterpiece is a compelling journey through three distinct works that showcase Vaughan Williams' unique ability to blend folk-inspired melodies with sophisticated orchestration.
The album opens with "Riders to the Sea," a dramatic and poignant choral work based on J.M. Synge's play of the same name. This piece is a powerful exploration of loss and resilience, with the haunting voices of the characters—Maurya, Cathleen, Nora, Bartley, and the chorus—painting a vivid picture of life and hardship in the Aran Islands.
Following this, the "Household Music" trio offers a lighter, more playful contrast. Comprising three movements—"Crug-Y-Bar. Fantasia," "St. Denio. Scherzo," and "Aberystwyth. Variations"—this suite is a delightful exploration of Welsh folk tunes, reimagined with Vaughan Williams' signature orchestral flair.
The album concludes with "Flos Campi," a deeply spiritual and evocative work for solo viola, wordless chorus, and orchestra. Inspired by the Song of Solomon, this six-movement piece is a meditation on love, longing, and divine connection, featuring some of Vaughan Williams' most lush and lyrical writing.
Throughout the album, Vaughan Williams' mastery of form, harmony, and melody is on full display, making this a compelling addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection.
Tracks
Riders to the Sea: Where is she? (Nora, Cathleen)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Ingrid Attrot, Lynne Dawson
Riders to the Sea: Isn't it turf enough you have (Maurya, Cathleen, Nora)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Lynne Dawson, Ingrid Attrot
Riders to the Sea: Where is the bit of new rope, Cathleen (Bartley, Cathleen, Nora, Mauyra)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Karl Morgan Daymond, Lynne Dawson, Ingrid Attrot, Linda Finnie
Riders to the Sea: He's gone now, God spare us (Maurya, Cathleen, Nora)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Lynne Dawson, Ingrid Attrot
Riders to the Sea: Wait, Nora, maybe she'd turn back quickly (Cathleen, Maurya)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Lynne Dawson, Linda Finnie
Riders to the Sea: You didn't give him his bit of bread? (Cathleen, Mauyra)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Lynne Dawson, Linda Finnie
Riders to the Sea: I went down to the spring well (Maurya, Nora, Cathleen)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Ingrid Attrot, Lynne Dawson
Riders to the Sea: Bartley will be lost now (Maurya, Nora, Cathlee, Woman, Chorus)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Ingrid Attrot, Lynne Dawson, Pamela Helen Stephen, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Riders to the Sea: They are all gone now (Maurya, Nora)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Ingrid Attrot
Riders to the Sea: And may he have mercy on my soul (Maurya, Chorus)Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Linda Finnie, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Household Music: I. Crug-Y-Bar. FantasiaRalph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Peter Francomb
Household Music: II. St. Denio. ScherzoRalph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Peter Francomb
Household Music: III. Aberystwyth. VariationsRalph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Peter Francomb
Flos campi: I. Sicut Lilium inter spinas, sic anima mea inter filias…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: II. Iam enim hiems transit. imber abiit, et recessit…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: III. Quaesivi quem diligit anima mea. quaesivi illum, et non inventi…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: IV. En lectulum Salomonis sexaginta fortes ambiunt…Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: V. Revertere, revertere Sulamitis! Revertere, revertere ut intueamur te,Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
Flos campi: VI. Pone me ut signaculum super cor tuum.Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Hickox, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Dukes, Northern Sinfonia Chorus
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