Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies

Customer Rating:
Summary: Vaughan William Nine Symphonies
Comment: I reported the CDs were not rec;d within 2 months' time. Then soon a new package was resent immnediately and I rec'd the goods within several days. This is quite different with the response from Import CDS when I was under the same circumstances. No further action was taken after reporting the lost of the delivery. I think this was irresponsible and seemed an act of cheating. Therefore I placed another new order to Amazon because Amazon gives me confidence.

Customer Rating:
Summary: One of England's finest composers
Comment: It's safe to say that Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the finest British composers alongside Holst, Elgar, Britten, and Bax. His nine symphonies are pure proof of his genius: they're lovely, haunting, lyrical, intense, hot-blooded, ethereal, etc. Maestro Andre Previn leads the London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus with perfect control; no one misses a step. Sound quality is first-rate, and booklet is quite informative. This box set gets an A from me.

Customer Rating:
Summary: 9 Symphonies - ralph Vaughan Williams
Comment: Wonderful recordings. I remember seeing Andre Previn discussing and performing these on television. Couldn't have done better. Many thanks.

Customer Rating:
Summary: A Good Bargin Set
Comment: First of all I agree with the other reviewers this set of RVW's Symphonies
is a very fine set. There are a few works I would have liked to see in it, but I can always get them on another bargin CD. The performances that really stand out here are " A Sea Symphony", The "London Symphony", and the "Sinfonia Antartica" The rest of the Symphonies all recieve impressive
perfomances by Andre Previn and the LSO and the LSC, and a fine line up of
soloists. Some reviewers complained about the narration in the "Sinfonia
Antartica" and said they prefer it just with the music, but I feel that
Sir Ralph Richardson's narration adds so much to the general mood of the
work, while the music can certainly stand on its own. I have to wonder though why this work is not better represented on disc. I would think that this Symphony cries out for a good surround sound SACD. I also feel that the Tuba Concerto deserves a little more reprsentation in the catalog. I also seem to like Previn's recording with the LSO of the Fifth
Symphony a litle better that his recording with the RPO on Telarc, which is also a great recording. It is so nice to find out that RVW is so much more that just the "Fantasia of a Theme of Thomas Tallis", and the "Fantasia on Greensleeves". Highly Recommended

Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best for Less(t)
Comment: I agree with all the other reviewers here - this set is fantastic and you really can't beat the price. I've had it for over a year now and I love every piece. Admittedly, I am not a classical music perfectionist - I cannot compare the quality of these recordings to the other 400 different recorded versions available today - but these performances are very fine, the sound is great, it's in a nice package, and it's ridiculously cheap. Plus, it's Vaughan Williams. If you're worried about accessibility of the music, I think it's worth giving it a shot. Symphonies 1,2,7, and 8 are pretty easy to get into. That's not to say that Volkswagen is boring or tame. He was a master composer and colorist and his music is continually fascinating. When I listen to his music, I feel two things: 1.) he had a profound understanding of England (I feel like I know it as an American just from listening to him) and 2.) he had an amazing gift for composing pieces that not only sound great, but feel great. Volkswagen feels great to listen to. Have fun!