RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)

 

A Sea Symphony

The Wasps Overture

 

Susan Gritton (soprano), Gerald Finley (baritone)

London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus / Richard Hickox

 

A Sea Symphony is Vaughan Williams’s response to Walt Whitman’s inspirational, visionary verse. It is recorded here from the June 2006 highly-praised performance by London Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Chorus with soloists Gerald Finley and Susan Gritton, and Richard Hickox at the helm. The symphony is coupled with his much-loved overture to The Wasps and the dynamism of the concert performance is preserved in the surroundsound SA-CD production.

 

In the early years of the 20th century, the sea was a popular subject among composers, for along with the poetry of Walt Whitman. Settings by Stanford, Charles Wood and others paved the way for Vaughan Williams, who brought these inspirations together in A Sea Symphony, a full-scale choral symphony for soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra. Much of the music is descriptive of the sea, particularly ‘The Waves’, but in the other movements the sea becomes a metaphor for a voyage into eternity. In this performance, its arresting opening, the choral exhortation ‘Behold the Sea’, is dispatched in style by the London Symphony Chorus. Hickox brings out the optimistic tone, and Whitman’s emphasis on the unity of being and the brotherhood of man comes through strongly; there is no mistaking the physical exhilaration or the visionary rapture. This is fundamental Vaughan Williams, conducted by the best British music interpreter of our generation. If you have loved the Hickox, LSO and Chandos combination previously – this is an essential addition to the collection.

 

Gritton’s fearless and star-bright soprano waved the flags of the nations, and with [Geralrd] Finley, finally hoisted the anchor to set free the voyaging soul.

Hilary Finch, The Times, 06 June 2006

 

The chorus was on rousing form throughout and soon swung into the undulating foam with the LSO and Hickox in equally vigorous pursuit. The excellent baritone soloist Gerald Finley sounded a note of awestruck wonder in On the Beach at Night Alone, while soprano Susan Gritton soared radiantly in the expansive outer movements.

Barry Millington, Evening Standard

 

…the account of “A Sea Symphony” was little short of a triumph.

Richard Whitehouse

 

Chandos SACD CHSA5047