Wednesday 22 February 2012

Vaughan Williams / Jacob - Variations For Orchestra [Marriner-Academy Of Saint Martin In The Fields]

A very enlightening disc, some of these works i know very well [Tallis Fantasia], others i enjoyed renewing the acquaintance of [Norfolk Rhapsody], and yet others i found thrilling to really listen to for the first time [Variations For Orchestra], it's a nice mixed bag from Vaughan Williams, something for everyone, and it's surprising that discs of the shorter works of this Composer are not more available, i can feel this disc is going to get played a lot more in the future.

Neville Marriner is 90 this April, a phenomenal servant to Classical music, influencing many people, though i'm not sure how active he is today, he recorded this disc in 1993, the front cover is of a windmill [photo by Den Reader], i take it representing the Fen's of Norfolk, two compositions on this disc, it's a glorious sunset silhouette.