COMPOSERS: Vaughan Williams
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: Riders to the Sea; Epithalamion; Merciless Beauty
PERFORMER: Norma Burrowes, Margaret Price, Helen Watts, Benjamin Luxon, Philip Langridge, Stephen Roberts, Howard Shelley, Jonathan Snowden Ambrosian Singers, Orchestra Nova of London/Meredith Davies; Bach Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra/David Willcocks
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 7 64730 2 ADD/DDD (1971/87)
The gloomy theme of Synge’s play – an Irish mother’s loss of her husband and six sons to the sea – may deter. Pity, because it inspired a rich vein of invention from RVW. Soloists and chorus excel and the orchestra brilliantly portrays the relentless brutality of wind and sea. Helen Watts radiantly conveys Maurya’s fortitude and affirmation of faith in ‘They are all gone now...’. Epithalamion is a joyful wedding celebration with colourful, spirited performances from all. Ian Lace
Vaughan Williams: Riders to the Sea; Epithalamion; Merciless Beauty
The gloomy theme of Synge’s play – an Irish mother’s loss of her husband and six sons to the sea – may deter. Pity, because it inspired a rich vein of invention from RVW. Soloists and chorus excel and the orchestra brilliantly portrays the relentless brutality of wind and sea. Helen Watts radiantly conveys Maurya’s fortitude and affirmation of faith in ‘They are all gone now...’. Epithalamion is a joyful wedding celebration with colourful, spirited performances from all. Ian Lace
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:31 pm