Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Fantasia on

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Fantasia on | Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, ... | Barbirolli's English String Music

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Vaughan Williams: ...

	Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Fantasia on Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, ... EMI Classics, 2000 average customer review:based on 23 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Turned me on to Elgar; Among the Best Tallis Fantasias Ever

Great collection of sounds. The Introduction and Allegro is a complex work that needs to be listened to a few times, but it proves itself a truly wonderful composition. The other Elgar pieces on the disc sound terrific. Barbirolli brings warmth to these performances and an inimitable power & spirit to Vaughan Williams's Tallis Fantasia. A classic!

Barbirolli's English String Music

This is a most welcome arrival from EMI's Great Recordings of the Century series. Actually, it was difficult to get the hold of this collection in the United States in the past, and the sound of the previous CD incarnation was unspectacular, to put it mildly, especially in the Elgar Elegy. But no sonic reservations are to be held about the new transfer. It is simply as good as one could wish. Now that these recordings are finally available to the American listeners, it can be safely claimed that they constitute perhaps the best collection of British string music in the current catalogue. The Serenade is quite lovely, and the Elegy and Sospiri are not among Sir Edward's frequently heard works, but they are beautiful and fully deserve to be known better. Barbirolli may not be the top choice for the Elgar symphonies (there Solti or Boult are probably the best ones), but in other orchestral works he is unsurpassed. Just think of that other EMI CD with the Cello Concerto (Jaqueline DuPre) and the Sea Pictures (Janet Baker)!

The Vaughan Williams works are also among the best available, may well be the best overall. The competition for the Tallis Fantasia is serious, and there are fine versions by Karajan, Boult, and Ormandy from the earlier days, as well as some new additions from Hickox and Handley. But Barbirolli reigns supreme. No one was able to achieve the same gentle pianissimos. The Greensleeves is also fine. The orchestral playing is first-rate. In short, this disc should rank high on your priority target list. Don't miss it.

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Outstanding

I obtained this collection from England last year and it is one of my favorite Elgar CDs. It cost me much more than it will cost you now. The Intro and Allegro is my favorite work on the disc, and this performance is the best I can find anywhere. I much prefer it to the acclaimed (and very good) recording of Christopher Warren Green. It is truly satisfying to see great recordings back in the US catalogue. I recommend this CD for all types of listeners.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5

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