It is a great shame that Ralph Vaughan Williams' choral music is not better appreciated outside of England, because Vaughan Williams' choral works are in their own ways every bit as good as his symphonies. But, thankfully, there is still an England, and thus still performances of Vaughan Williams' cantata Dona nobis pacem and his oratorio Sancta Civitas like this pairing on Naxos led by David Hill. With the services of the Bach Choir, the Winchester College Choristers, and the Winchester College Quiristers, plus soprano ...
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It is a great shame that Ralph Vaughan Williams' choral music is not better appreciated outside of England, because Vaughan Williams' choral works are in their own ways every bit as good as his symphonies. But, thankfully, there is still an England, and thus still performances of Vaughan Williams' cantata Dona nobis pacem and his oratorio Sancta Civitas like this pairing on Naxos led by David Hill. With the services of the Bach Choir, the Winchester College Choristers, and the Winchester College Quiristers, plus soprano Christina Pier, tenor Andrew Staples, baritone Matthew Brook, and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Hill turns in commanding performances of both works recorded in deep, detailed, and colorful sound by Naxos. Though not for Vaughan Williams neophytes -- try his Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis for 10 minutes of the composer at his best and most characteristic -- listeners who already know Vaughan Williams' instrumental works will likely enjoy his choral works as well. ~ James...
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