Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Vaughan Williams: Sinfonia Antartica, Two Piano Concertos & Four Last Songs (2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/88,2kHz]

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Vaughan Williams: Sinfonia Antartica, Two Piano Concertos & Four Last Songs (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 01:17:08 minutes | 1,23 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Chandos

This is the eagerly awaited final volume in our historic series of Vaughan Williams’s Symphonies, started about twenty-five years ago by the late Richard Hickox, and recently continued by that other expert in British repertoire, Sir Andrew Davis. The album features an exceptional cast and a rare combination of repertoire.

Vaughan Williams’ seventh symphony (1951), Sinfonia Antartica, reuses numerous materials from the stunning piece the composer wrote in 1948 for the film Scott of the Antarctic. Therefore none will be surprised by the extraordinarily visual orchestration and theme, which any listener – even ignoring the title or cinematographic influence – will immediately associate with vast windy flatlands, scintillating icy lights, Antarctica in all its splendour – and dangers, as Scott’s expedition ended tragically, that’s the least one can say. As a complement to the programme, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (where they are used to the great cold!) and Andrew Davis provide us with Vaughan Williams’s Concerto For Two Pianos: initially created in 1933 for a single piano, the work was adapted to two pianos in 1946 in light of the tremendous difficult piano part, and the composer also took the opportunity to change a few sections. Here it is performed by two Canadians, Louis Lortie and Hélène Mercier. And finally you’ll discover the Four Last Songs sung by Roderick Williams, a kind of Vaughanwilliamsian equivalent to Strauss’ own Four Last Songs, even though Vaughan Williams’ four songs were first orchestrated after his death, by Anthony Payne in 2013 – scrupulously following the composer’s orchestral habits. A beautiful musical testament, created during the last few months of his life.

Tracklist:
01. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Sinfonia Antartica (No. 7). I. Prelude (09:31)
02. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Sinfonia Antartica (No. 7). II. Scherzo (05:47)
03. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Sinfonia Antartica (No. 7). III. Landscape (10:31)
04. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Sinfonia Antartica (No. 7). IV. Intermezzo (06:14)
05. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Sinfonia Antartica (No. 7). V. Epilogue (09:22)
06. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Four Last Songs. 1. Procris (02:17)
07. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Four Last Songs. 2. Tired (02:05)
08. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Four Last Songs. 3. Hands, Eyes, and Heart (01:09)
09. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Four Last Songs. 4. Menelaus (04:02)
10. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Double Piano Concerto. I. Toccata (06:07)
11. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Double Piano Concerto. II. Romanza (09:02)
12. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Double Piano Concerto. III. Fuga chromatica – (04:22)
13. Sir Andrew Davis, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloists – Double Piano Concerto. III. Finale alla Tedesca (06:33)

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