Search - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edward Elgar, Owain Arwel Hughes :: Symphony No. 2: A London Symphony

Contrasting musical interpretions of London Town...

vmzfla | Orlando, Fl. | 04/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The two great composers of the age when Britannia ruled the waves give us two distinctively different impressions of turn of the century London. Ralph Vaughan Williams Symphony #2(A London Symphony)is a more somber vision. He prefered a non descriptive piece where the music stands or falls on its' own. Only a tidbit or two such as the subtle use of Westminster Chimes in the opening and concluding movements are the only hints that London is the subject matter. Edward Elgars' "Cockaigne Overture" a vibrant work unofficially nicknamed "in London Town" brims with the cities hustle and bustle, exhibiting his mastery of orchestration. The Brian Culverhouse production is up to his usual high recording standard. Conductor Owain Arwel Hughes(over 60 recordings to his credit) leads the more than competent Philharmonia."