Royal Liverpool Phil. Orch. Archive

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 4 – Andrew Staples, Rhys Owens, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Manze – ONYX

by Audiophile Audition | Apr 16, 2017 | Classical CD Reviews

2 very finely played and recorded Vaughan Williams Symphonies B06VT5RT11  VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No. 3 ‘A Pastoral Symphony’ (1921) Symphony No. 4 in F minor (1934) – Andrew Staples (tenor), Rhys Owens (natural trumpet), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Manze – ONYX CD 4161 TT:68:49 (4/21/17) **** From Onyx we have a continuation of their notable Vaughan Williams cycle on CD. Conductor Andrew Manze is getting excellent notices for his interpretations, and this new recording of the Vaughan Williams 3rd and 4th symphonies are going to enhance that reputation. The two symphonies are very different in mood. The Pastoral Symphony is just that, while the Symphony no. 4 is dissonant and angry. It’s often been attributed to Williams contempt for war and a prediction, perhaps, or WWII, but the composer has disavowed those observations. The Pastoral is unique for using a tenor soloist in the last movement, it’s usually a soprano, but Williams himself specified either a soprano or a tenor. Here it’s the fine voice of Andrew Staples. These are very fine performances, with the Pastoral taken a bit slower than my audio memory recalls for other performances, but I found no fault with that choice. The more dynamic Symphony no. […]