Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Constantin Silvestri
Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy (Sony)
Sinfonia of London, John Barbirolli
New York Philharmonic, Dmitri Mitropoulos
Royal Philharmonic, Leopold Stokowski
source
Definitely for me Silevstri at the top, with Barbirolli. Add to that Marriner's earlier gorgeous Argo recording with ASMF (his later Philips has a lack of passion and momentum IMO). Andrew Davis on Teldec (Warner)with the BBC SO. Last, but not least, Previn and the RPO on Telarc is a knockout with stella sonics.
I always liked Karajan's Tallis Fantasia with the Philharmonia – it plays to Karajan's strengths, of course, because it's a lush string piece. There's a wonderful CD with the Tallis, Britten's Frank Bridge Variations and Stravinsky's Jeux de Cartes ( how did that get in there?) all with Herbie and the Philh.
My VW obsession has long been the 8th symphony. I have many, but still always refer to Barbirolli's first recording on Pye, which I have on a PRT CD.
Oh, but I mustn't forget the Tallis. Totally agree on your entire list.
One should hear this piece live, to appreciate the "spacial" aspect of the piece. I heard it in Philadelphia with Donald Runnicles, and my eyes (and ears!) were opened.
Your review is helpful for the alternatives. Found my way to the Mitropoulous via the Verklärte Nacht on Columbia/Odyssey LP. The cover itself actually grabbed my attention flipping through the new releases in the Cutler’s bin — and aligned with the sound world of the piece.
I agree about the utility of streaming services. I got to hear Svetlanov's VW symphony cycle with Russian forces. Not good, but incredibly interesting. I've also been able to hear all the Tallis versions Dave mentions.
I'm a VW headbanger. I even belong to the VW Society. However, I've always been more eager for VW I haven't heard before than a particular work. The only VW I've compulsively collected are the folksong arrangements. My favorites come from the Deller Consort (my introduction in the 60s), Christopher Bishop, and the multi-volume set from Albion Records.
It may not be the absolute greatest, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the Abravenel record (yes, I bought it on the old Vanguard Cardinal budget label) of Vaughan Williams string music and Flos Campi. It's still a gorgeous album and was my introduction to Vaughan Williams.
Oh, wow, where to start with this piece?! I don't know if I own literally every recording of the Tallis Fantasia (I'm sure there's an organ transcription or two that I don't have), but I sure do have a lot. Dave's list is sensational, so I'll just add some under-the-radar recordings:
1. Nigel Short conducting the Aurora Orchestra on Signum. Swift (14 minutes), but not unduly. Also contains what I think is the best recording of An Oxford Elegy, an idiosyncratic work that I compulsively collect. Simon Callow is brilliant.
2. Bryden Thomson conducting the LPO on Chandos. Hisi RVW is seriously underrated all around, & this is no exception.
3. Robert Spano conducting the Atlanta Symphony on Telarc. Also includes a performance of "Why fum'th in fight," the hymn by Tallis that contains "the theme."
4. Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on DG. A little small & lean for this work, but gorgeously played.
5. Barry Wordsworth conducting The New Queen's Hall Orchestra on Argo. What?? Yeah, who knows? So beautifully played, on a great collection of RVW standard fare.
I’m still waiting for the ultimate VW symphony cycle as I think that has not been truly attained as yet
I'd love to hear a similar survey of RVW's Job, a piece that took a long time to grow on me, but I now think is among his best.
David – Is the Stokowski recording actually the "New Philharmonia"? Not seeing Royal.
Still got the Silvestri version on LP. A wonderful finely recorded performance. Also the Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra version on Sony CD. Andrew Davis/BBC SO received a
video version which has aired a number of times on TV here in the UK.
SO version
Proposal for a new series: recordings that we would like to have. In my case, that would be the Tallis Fantasia with the Vienna Philharmonic under Karajan, recorded directly after the recording of Holst's Planets. 😅
Love the idea of this new series of videos. And what a one to start with! I find myself a tad obsessed with this work, too. Renaissance meets the future, both existing in the same space contemporaneously = cosmic. When I saw it live the first time, with a string section off stage, I fully understood how 3D this mother was. Silvestri’s recording is the best I’ve heard. We’ve got to keep promoting Vaughan Williams. Once everyone is convinced, we can start pushing George Lloyd. Keep on listening!
A great choice. I have all those you list. I must have heard the work sixty times but the beginning takes my breath away every single time like the first time.
The Mitropoulos is too fast for me. Boult takes his time, and it works so well. Actually, Toscanini in two performances doesn't at all rush things (his first is over 15 minutes; he is also one of the slower conductors in Elgar's Introduction & Allegro) but the middle sections and climax are stirringly passionate.
I also get my hands on as many RVW Serenades to Music as possible but there Boult is still numero uno. (Since you are doing Rachmaninoff overflow, there's the story that when the Serenade had its world premiere at Henry Wood's 50th anniversary concert, Rachmaninoff, who was present as a performer of his 2nd cto, retired to the back of the box and sobbed at the sheer beauty of it.)
Another winner, Dave ! Thank you. All your choices are right up there with my own favorites. Some others that I really enjoy are renditions conducted by Charles Groves (really special), Bryan Thomson, Sir Adrian Boult, Malcolm Sargent, a great "live" Stokowski BBC and Andrew Davis. Like yourself, I just adore this piece by RVW and also Lark Ascending and the Romanza from Sym. 5
all gems of the spiritual in music with its gorgeous strings.
I cut my teeth on the Stokowski version and it has not been matched, imo. I forget what other one(s) I have. I'm glad it was high on your list… except it didn't get the coveted "however" designation. None of the others did either, though. I will listen to others now. Stokowski also is my favorite for Dvorak Serenade for Strings. He catches a mood I have not heard with any other.
I have Stokowski doing this on the BBC collection with the New Philharmonia and it's amazing. Is this the one you meant, Dave?
Love this piece, it is what sparked my interest in classical music. My top 5: Ormandy (RCA), Silvestri, Barbirolli, Slatkin (St. Louis), Boughton,
David, what is your opinion on the Charles Groves recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Alto?
One I'm surprised you didn't mention, Dave – John Wilson's recent recording. Your review was full of superlatives, both for the interpretation and the sonics. But I guess we are spoilt for choice with this magnificent work.
Always loved the work, but Stoky's late version struck me as too lush. There's a certain austerity built into the music that should not be ignored. Have it on OR tape that I can no longer play.
Silvestri > Barbirolli
I enjoy Marriner's recording. Not the most passionate, but great sound.