Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Ralph Vaughan Williams with this captivating album, released in 2005 under the Naxos label. Spanning a little over an hour, this classical masterpiece showcases the brilliance of one of Britain's most celebrated composers. The album features the world première recording of the cantata "Willow-Wood," a substantial yet lesser-known work that highlights Vaughan Williams' unique compositional style.
The collection also includes the evocative "Toward the Unknown Region," a choral symphony that sets poems by Walt Whitman to music, and "The Sons of Light," a three-movement work that explores the interplay between darkness and light. Additionally, the album presents "5 Variants of Dives and Lazarus," a set of variations based on a traditional English folk tune, and "The Voice out of the Whirlwind," a dramatic choral work inspired by the Book of Job.
Performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, this album offers a rich and varied listening experience, showcasing Vaughan Williams' ability to blend traditional English folk music with contemporary classical techniques. Whether you're a longtime fan of classical music or a newcomer to the genre, this album is sure to delight and inspire.