Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Howells: Concerto for String Orchestra; Delius: Late Swallows; Elgar: Introduction and Allegro

by John Wilson, Sinfonia of London

Overview

Perhaps only those in the know realize that the Sinfonia of London under conductor John Wilson has, when all the cylinders are firing, a string section that can compete with any in the world. The contention is amply demonstrated by this collection of string orchestra works, released in 2023 and landing on classical best-seller charts early that year. Sample the transition from Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, with its churchy string tones, to the rasps at the beginning of the Concerto for String Orchestra of Herbert Howells. The variety of string sounds in Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, Op. 47, is striking in this passionate, compelling performance. Yet there is a commonality to these works beyond the forces: all of the works, with the exception of Delius' Late Swallows (a transcription of a string quartet movement), which serves as an interlude, refer in one way or another to Baroque or Renaissance music. This holds everything together in a suite-like construction of uncommon beauty. Fans of Wilson and the Sinfonia of London will already be all over this release, but it is likely to bring in new fans for the group as well. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	02/03/2023
Label:	Chandos
UPC:	0095115529126
Rank:	9967

Tracks

1. Introduction and Allegro, for string quartet & string orchestra in G major, Op. 47
2. Late Swallows, for strings (arr. by Fenby from the 3rd movement of String Quartet No. 2)
3. Concerto for string orchestra
4. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, for 2 string orchestras

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Wilson   Primary Artist,Conductor
Sinfonia of London   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Richard Harwood   Cello
Andriy Viytovych   Viola
John Mills   Violin
Michael Trainor   Violin

Technical Credits

Edward Elgar   Composer
Ralph Vaughan Williams   Composer
Eric Fenby   Arranger
Herbert Howells   Composer
Jonathan Cooper   Editing
Francis Marchal   Liner Note Translation
Simone Canetty-Clarke   Photography
Brian Pidgeon   Recording Producer
Bernd Mueller   Liner Note Translation
Finn S. Gundersen   Booklet Editor
Frederick Delius   Composer
Ralph Couzens   Engineer
Andrew Burn   Liner Notes
Sue Shortridge   A&R
Cass Cassidy   Design,Typesetting
John Mills   Leader
Alexander James   Assistant Engineer
Brian Cook Batsford   Cover Art