Brett Polegato, Christine Goerke - Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony

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Free Music Notes for Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony

Free Music Review: The ASO chorus returns in fine form
Hit: 5 Stars

A Sea Symphony, Vaughan Williams's first, is by no means an immature work (at its 1910 première, VW was nearly 40): the orchestra is on par with many of Mahler's works (an organ is recommended, though not required), and the chorus is given a much more prominent role than in most "choral symphonies" that predated it (there is only one extended section for the soloists without the chorus, at "O we can wait no longer" in the finale).

Much as they did on their Grammy-winning recording of Vaughan Williams's ~Dona nobis pacem~, the ASO and ASO Chorus play with consummate skill and beauty. The recording is splendid: the climaxes are breathtaking, and the pianissimos perfectly clear.
In particular, though, Christine Goerke's performance in what may be the most difficult solo Vaughan Williams wrote (the first movement has her sinking to the A below middle C!) is absolutely radiant, and should not be missed.

I can only hope that the ASO will get around to recording VW's third large-scale choral work, "Sancta civitas;" they won 3 Grammys for "Dona nobis pacem," and I expect this CD will earn nominations as well; this ranks with Boult's 1960s recording of A Sea Symphony and Hickox's recording of "Sancta civitas" and "Dona nobis pacem" as one of the best VW recordings ever.

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