Search - Vaughan Williams, Avravanel, Utah Symphony :: Symphony 6 / Dona Nobis Pacem

A longstanding accomplishment

Mark McCue | Denver, CO USA | 09/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the Vanguard LPs of this release back in 1970 when I graduated from high school. I loved them indiscriminately and I still do. I'm happy to report that this reissue does a commendable job of preserving Abravanel's nonpareil performances in the superior original sound.That aside, I would point out these as the best performances from Abravanel's estimable cycle of V-W symphonies. In many ways the No 6 is the hardest of the symphonies to get close to, but likewise it can be the most impressive. I think what Abravanel does to make it so effective is to approach it as if it were a George Bernard Shaw play: trust the author to know what he wants and give it to him. Abravanel joins old Boult in this, and both of them could lay stick to buns on Handley, Previn and a few others for not taking the time to lay out the sonic picture for comprehensive perfection in execution and luminous interpretations. It's all about good performance practice, gang.The Dona Nobis Pacem may not have quite the atmospheric qualties that Willcock's release does, but I surely notice a much greater understanding of the Whitman text from Abravanel's chorus--its performance adds an endearing sincerity to the work that Willcocks simply cannot get from his Brits. Whitman belongs to the Utah singers as national literature whereas the Brit contingent can't be expected to have the same identification with it. All told, both of these readings are tremendous and you will require both to maintain your musical happiness. So be sure to get this outstanding release whether you have the Boult/Willcocks or not, because you'll be greatly rewarded. You'll end up treasuring it for the next thirty years!"

An amazing V-W Sixth--as huge and open as Copland (!)

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 01/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vanguard was never a majaor label, in that their only orchestra was the Utah Sym., but they lavished incredible analog osund on them, still of blockbuster status. That's certainly true of this famous Vaughan Williams Sixth Sym. from 1966. The recording has so much color, depth, atmosphere, and impact that even SACD has barely caught up with it. Orchestra and chorus (in the equally stuning Dona Nobis Pacem) sound totally lifelike.



Abravanel conducts in the same open-hearted populist style he does in Copland--a big, extroverted approach that makes the score sound as vast as the landscape of the Great West. Dubious as it seems, this is the definitive Vaughan Williams Sixth and Dona Nobis Pacem (despite the wobble in the baritone soloist's voice), both given performances that thrill to the core. The Sixth, with its agony of war and pianissimo fade-out in the finale, encompasses a wider tonal range than any other V-W work, and here it is given justice for all time. Every collector should own this CD."