This beautifully played and engineered disc contains three of Vaughan Williams’ most mellifluous pieces. Telarc already has an excellent coupling of the Tallis Fantasia and Fifth Symphony (under Previn), but the presence of the Serenade to Music (chamber choir version) as well as the original Tallis hymn on which the Fantasia is based makes this newcomer a very attractive proposition. Robert Spano’s performance of this masterpiece for string orchestra(s) falls into the “grave and noble” category, akin to, say, Boult’s. Tempos are steady, timbres are rich and full, and the legato phrasing of the work’s big climax is remarkably effective. Personally, I prefer the more passionate views of Barbirolli and (above all) Silvestri, both on EMI. The timings are almost identical, but the internal contrasts are greater. Still, of its type, it doesn’t get much better than this.
The Fifth Symphony also is very satisfying. Spano seems to understand the need to project the music’s spiritual tranquility without letting it become comatose (i.e., like Haitink). This means a nicely flowing Romanza and finale, and the playing of the orchestra is terrific by any standard. I only wish Spano had encouraged the strings to give a bit more “pop” to their pizzicatos in the scherzo’s main theme. Otherwise, it’s smooth sailing, nowhere more so than in the Serenade, the highlight of the disc both interpretively and sonically. Not only is the singing of the choir just perfect, but the balances in SACD surround format are phenomenally clear and natural. In the Symphony and Tallis Fantasia there’s a bit more rear-channel emphasis than I prefer, but this is still an impressive production of some thrillingly gorgeous music. [5/2/2007]
