The inaudibility of the quietest musical sections is the only thing to mar this excellent recording of two compositions by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Mark Elder leading the Hallé Orchestra and oboist Stéphane Rancourt bring out so much lush beauty that listeners are likely to feel compelled to simply sit back, close their eyes, and go along for the musical ride. The Symphony No. 2 opens the album. A fairly lengthy work, it has four movements that draw on Vaughan Williams' strengths of creating layered string harmonies and ...
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The inaudibility of the quietest musical sections is the only thing to mar this excellent recording of two compositions by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Mark Elder leading the Hallé Orchestra and oboist Stéphane Rancourt bring out so much lush beauty that listeners are likely to feel compelled to simply sit back, close their eyes, and go along for the musical ride. The Symphony No. 2 opens the album. A fairly lengthy work, it has four movements that draw on Vaughan Williams' strengths of creating layered string harmonies and graceful melodies. Once the first movement comes into audibility, it becomes quite dramatic and exciting. The brass are bright and punctuate the music of the strings. The second movement is like a slow sunrise, and then grandly sweeping and majestic in the middle of the piece. Rather than a snapshot of London, one might suggest that the movement depicts a soaring flight over a landscape, or an immense, inspiring vista. It has a programmatic feel that is nothing short of stunning. As...
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Add this copy of Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 2-a London Symphony / to cart. $30.05, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hallé.
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