Hickox Conducts Vaughan Williams

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In the era following the death of Sir Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams was clearly heir to the title, "England's greatest composer." Such Vaughan Williams works as 'Fantasia on Greensleeves,' 'The Lark Ascending,' and 'Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis' are all basic repertoire items for orchestras throughout the world. This recording provides an ample sampling of Vaughan Williams's less familiar work. Richard Hickox, a specialist in the composer's music, leads the Northern Sinfonia of England in this specially priced two-disc set. Hickox and the orchestra revel in the idyllic charm of the rarely performed orchestral version of 'Serenade to Music.' Colorful orchestration and jolly high spirits dominate the ballet score 'Old King Cole,' which receives a jaunty performance from Hickox and company. Vaughan Williams was passionate about English folksong and a number of the works on this recording are colored by the ruddy vitality of these songs. 'The Running Set' was written for the National Folk Dance Festival of 1934, and it is rustic beauty personified. All aspects of the genius of Vaughan Williams are presented on this recording of unsurpassable performances.

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Disc One: Serenade to Music (orchestral version), The Poisoned Kiss - overture, Old King Cole - A Ballet for orchestra, Five Mystical Songs, Prelude on an Old Carol Tune, The Running Set, Prelude: 49th Parallel, Sea Songs - March.

Disc Two: The Lark Ascending, Two Hymn-Tune Preludes, Oboe Concerto in A minor, Fantasia on 'Greensleeves', Three Preludes Founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes Nos. 2 & 3, Concerto Accademinco (Concerto for violin and strings in D minor), Five Variants on 'Dives and Lazarus'.