Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge

"Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge" is a captivating choral and requiem album released in 2007 by the renowned tenor James Gilchrist, accompanied by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet and pianist Anna Tilbrook. This album is a testament to Gilchrist's clear, resonant tone and his mastery of English song, as he interprets some of the most significant pieces from the 20th-century repertory.

The album features a collection of 15 tracks, spanning a total duration of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It opens with the poignant "On Wenlock Edge" cycle, a setting of six poems by A.E. Housman, followed by the evocative "The Curlew" and "Elegiac Sonnet." The second half of the album is dedicated to the "Ludlow and Teme" cycle, another set of Housman poems, showcasing Vaughan Williams' lyrical and expressive compositional style.

Recorded with meticulous attention to detail, "Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge" offers a rich and immersive listening experience. The collaboration between Gilchrist, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, and Tilbrook results in a performance that is both technically impressive and deeply moving. This album is a must for fans of choral and vocal music, and a beautiful introduction to the works of Ralph Vaughan Williams for those new to his music.