Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

[Kuhlau]

It was an easy decision to post this here rather than in either the Romantic or Modern music sections. Firstly, because Vaughan Williams' first masterpiece is neither Modern nor Romantic in purely technical terms, and secondly, because the short song on which it's based comes from the Renaissance period.

Before we go any further, let's here this 'theme' by Tallis: Why Fum'th in Fight?

A minor masterpiece

Those familiar with Vaughan Williams' brilliant reimagining of this song will hear at once where some of the Fantasia's most enchanting moments have their origin. For those who've not yet discovered this work, you're about to hear possibly the finest recording of the Fantasia - to which I can post a link with a clear conscience, as you can't buy this version in the shops.

A cathedral of sound

Vaughan Williams wrote the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis for the Three Choirs Festival in 1910. More specifically, he wrote it to be heard in the incredible architectural space of Gloucester Cathedral.

The musicians are divided into three groups - a full-sized string orchestra, a single desk from each section, and a string quartet - and set at distances from each other. The effect is striking, and must've been quite something when heard at its premiere: all those wonderful string sounds rising into the cathedral's vaults and slowly decaying.

The young Ivor Gurney and Herbert Howells were in attendance for the performance, and it's said that they were so awe-struck by the work that they spent the entire night discussing it as they wandered the streets of Gloucester.

The work on CD

There have been a great many recordings of this fine work over the years (at least 39 performances), and recently, Geraint Lewis surveyed all of these for Gramophone magazine.

It's to his reviews that I turn next. Here are his opinions of a selection of recordings made since the 1970s:

• Sir Neville Marriner/Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (1972): 'splendidly played'

• Vernon Handley/London Philharmonic Orchestra (1973): 'too fast'

• Andre Previn/London Symphony Orchestra (1979): 'surprisingly dreadful'

• William Boughton/English String Orchestra (1984): 'scrappy'

• Bryden Thomson/London Philharmonic Orchestra (1986): 'perfectly good account'

• James Judd/New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (2001): 'satisfying but not stirring'

• Christopher Warren-Green/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (2002): 'anonymous'

• Robert Spano/Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (2006): 'stiff'

I can't say that I go along with all of Lewis' terse pronouncements - the Judd and Spano accounts are personal favourites - but where Lewis and I are in agreement (almost) is on the top recorded choices for this work.

Which version to buy?

Lewis cites four versions which he believes are the cream of the crop. His historical choice is Boyd Neel with his string orchestra, transferred from 78s on the Dutton label. Lewis' period option is Barry Wordsworth conducting the London Symphony Orchestra (using gut strings) on Decca. His top overall choice is Sir Adrian Boult with the London Philharmonic Orchestra on EMI ... but it's not to this version that I want to draw your attention. I'd rather you focused on the performance Lewis claims is the finest modern recording: Sir Andrew Davis conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, now reissued on Apex.

Why am I pointing you in this direction? Two reasons. The first is that this is an astonishingly good performance, directed by a man who has this music in his blood. Every note, every phrase, every change of tempo is immaculately calculated yet never feels rehearsed - and the sound is simply exquisite.

An even better version

The second reason is that my top choice is also Sir Andrew Davis with the BBC Symphony Orchestra ... but NOT the version that's commercially available.

Seven years after Lewis' favourite modern-day recording was made, Davis and his orchestra made a second, even better one. But this time, not in a studio. For a special BBC TV series, they recorded it in Gloucester Cathedral. And the result is nothing short of stunning.

This version was only ever released as a pairing with Walton's Belshazzar's Feast on volume 7, number 11 in the BBC Music Magazine's free cover CD series. So, because you can't purchase it anywhere today, I can let you hear it via a 320kbps MP3 upload I made especially for this post.

Hear this work as it should be heard

I promise you this: it's possible that you'll never again hear a finer version of this sublime work - and I'm fairly certain it won't often be recorded in the venue for which it was written.

If you know this work, you're going to hear it anew. And if you don't, you're going to hear something very, very special.

Enjoy.

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (MP3 @ 320kbps)

FK

[micrologus]

Originally Posted by Kuhlau

Enjoy.

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (MP3 @ 320kbps)

FK

Indeed, this is a great version!

[Kuhlau]

Please, my dear, get up off of your knees. You'll stain your dress.

FK

[micrologus]

Originally Posted by Kuhlau

Please, my dear, get up off of your knees. You'll stain your dress.

FK

OK then ...

[Philidor]

Thanks Kuhlau. It's incredibly poignant. I know it's 1910 but I can't help think of the coming slaughter. Poking around for background I found this:

[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpYiLctjp9E"]YouTube - Vaughan Williams - At War[/ame]

[Kuhlau]

Poignant is a good word, Phil. I'm not sure that that was the feeling Vaughan Williams intended to elicit, but it certainly does bring some bittersweet, almost melancholy feelings to the surface for many listeners.

I first heard the work on the day that Diana, Princess of Wales was killed (that's not me implying a belief in her 'murder', incidentally, but simply me stating the facts: she had an accident, and was killed). Though I cared very little for the media-whoring, former royal family member, I was nonetheless strangely sad about her death for the quarter of an hour or so that this piece was playing on Classic FM.

FK

[haydnguy]

A wonderful thread I somehow missed. An exceptional recording Kuhlau! Many thanks.

[Kuhlau]

Originally Posted by haydnguy

A wonderful thread I somehow missed. An exceptional recording Kuhlau! Many thanks.

You're very welcome, sir. And thanks for adding to my reputation.

I'm hoping to do something similar to this when I start my thread on Brahms' First Piano Concerto.

FK

[Herzeleide]

I do like this piece of music


But it can't be considered Renaissance.

[Kuhlau]

Originally Posted by Herzeleide

But it can't be considered Renaissance.

You're absolutely right, of course. It's only here because of the piece of music which inspired it. If Phil or Flo wants to move it, that's fine by me.

FK