Top 5 Vaughan Williams works.

[SymphonicAddict]

For the moment -

A London Symphony (Final version)
Dona nobis pacem
Tallis Fantasia
The Pilgrim's Progress
Serenade to Music

Edit: Possibly replace the Serenade with Job; five is not enough

You and I are in the immense minority in preferring the London, and in its final version. I like that version the most for its succinctness (I haven't tried the 1920 version, though). In the 1913 version I felt the 4th movement was a bit overlong for its material. Your other choices can easily are on my list, except The Pilgrim's Progress (not heard yet).

[André]

- A Sea Symphony
- The Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains
- Toward the Unknown Region
- Job
- The Lark Ascending

Also, the Tallis Fantasia of course (man, just 5 works: this is cruel !  )

No change!

I would then add symphonies 3-6 for a full 10 best list.

[Mirror Image]

You and I are in the immense minority in preferring the London, and in its final version. I like that version the most for its succinctness (I haven't tried the 1920 version, though). In the 1913 version I felt the 4th movement was a bit overlong for its material. Your other choices can easily are on my list, except The Pilgrim's Progress (not heard yet).

I, too, like the revised London even more than the original 1913. The 1920, however, is a great success in the hands of Brabbins. You definitely need to seek out his recording on Hyperion. It's coupled with fantastic performance of Variations for brass band.

[TheGSMoeller]

Sea Symphony
Serenade to Music
Flos Campi
Phantasy Quintet
The Lark Ascending

4 years later and still going strong. Although I would be willing to replace Serenade with the Thomas Tallis Fantasia. Can't deny the seductive power of the Fantasia for too long. 

[SymphonicAddict]

I, too, like the revised London even more than the original 1913. The 1920, however, is a great success in the hands of Brabbins. You definitely need to seek out his recording on Hyperion. It's coupled with fantastic performance of Variations for brass band.

That idea has been around my head lately. Probably I'll succumb to the temptation.

[vandermolen]

I, too, like the revised London even more than the original 1913. The 1920, however, is a great success in the hands of Brabbins. You definitely need to seek out his recording on Hyperion. It's coupled with fantastic performance of Variations for brass band.

Very much my view on A London Symphony. I can't listen to the last movement of the 1936 version (much as I'm enjoying Bryden Thompson's recording of it at the moment) without being acutely aware of the poetic and very moving section that VW excised just before the end - one cut too many as far as I'm concerned. So I tend to stick with the 1920 version especially in Brabbins's recording.

[kyjo]

Currently:

Symphony no. 2 A London Symphony
Piano Quintet
String Quartet no. 2
On Wenlock Edge
Five Mystical Songs

[Sergeant Rock]

Symphony No.4
Tuba Concerto
Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Fantasia on "Greensleeves"
Serenade to Music
Job

I don't often change my lists and, in fact, I still love the two Fantasias I crossed out, but the one is slight (and not wholly VW's) and the Tallis I've simply overdosed on in the half century I've known it. The F minor Tuba Concerto fits neatly with the F minor Symphony and Job, well, it's a balletic masterpiece.

Sarge

[vandermolen]

Currently:

Symphony no. 2 A London Symphony
Piano Quintet
String Quartet no. 2
On Wenlock Edge
Five Mystical Songs

All great choices Kyle - could have been my list as well!