Vaughan-Williams: Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

I heard this on the radio last night for the zillionth time, but I had never really paid much attention until last night. Now, I need a good recording, preferably paired with some other interesting works by the composer, or for string orchestra. Any recommendations? I do not have any of Vaughan-Williams' other music--perhaps a boxed set?

[bhodges]

The Neville Marriner/Academy recording is excellent, and classic for many reasons. There are no doubt other fine, later versions - some in more sparkling sound - but overall, this one (from 1972) remains pretty delicious.

--Bruce

[Parsifal]

I consider this one of the 10 best audio recordings ever made.

[asin]B005FVFWMU[/asin]

A better view of the original artwork:

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

The Abravanel/Utah (coupled with other "stringy" works of VW) is a very good one:

http://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-Williams-Fantasia-Lazarus-Greensleeves/dp/B0000023BB/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1464188831&sr=1-3&keywords=abravanel+vaughan

[vandermolen]

You won't go wrong with Barbirolli or Boult (several recordings), however I really like the Slatkin recording and the Silvestri, especially for the Winchester Cathedral acoustic which works very well in this work. The CD below also includes fine performances of perhaps Vaughan Williams's greatest symphonies 4,5 and 6. The performance of No.4 was chosen as the No.1 choice by BBC's 'Building a Library' and Berglund's Sibelian No.6 is one of the few (like Abravanel and Boult's Decca recording) to get it right in my opinion.
[asin]B0018OAP2U[/asin]
The Slatkin, part of a very nice programme, is dirt cheap on UK Amazon (under £2.00):
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[Brian]

I agree with Scarpia and vandermolen.

[DaveF]

It's a pity that this:

[asin]B00156ZWV0[/asin]

isn't currently very cheap anywhere.  Several of us snapped it up last year for €5 on amazon.it.  All the VW you could ever want, including a more than acceptable Tallis Fantasia from Hickox and the Bournemouth SO.  Worth keeping a watch on all the amazons for a good deal again.

[vandermolen]

It's a pity that this:

[asin]B00156ZWV0[/asin]

isn't currently very cheap anywhere.  Several of us snapped it up last year for €5 on amazon.it.  All the VW you could ever want, including a more than acceptable Tallis Fantasia from Hickox and the Bournemouth SO.  Worth keeping a watch on all the amazons for a good deal again.

Yes, that's a terrific set although with limited notes if I remember correctly.

[North Star]

It's a pity that this:

isn't currently very cheap anywhere.  Several of us snapped it up last year for €5 on amazon.it.  All the VW you could ever want, including a more than acceptable Tallis Fantasia from Hickox and the Bournemouth SO.  Worth keeping a watch on all the amazons for a good deal again.

It was a  great bargain indeed. But the Tallis Fantasia is the splendid Silvestri & Bournemouth. Hickox conducts the Fantasy on Christmas Carols.

Yes, that's a terrific set although with limited notes if I remember correctly.

Very limited - no essays of any sort, and no librettos or lyrics.

[vandermolen]

It was a  great bargain indeed. But the Tallis Fantasia is the splendid Silvestri & Bournemouth. Hickox conducts the Fantasy on Christmas Carols.

Very limited - no essays of any sort, and no librettos or lyrics.

All the more reason to acquire it (for the Silvestri).

[North Star]

All the more reason to acquire it.

Indeed - for 5€ + shipping, at any rate. 

[vandermolen]

Also a great set which features two excellent recordings of the Tallis Fantasia from 1940 and 1975. Certainly worth considering if you want a box set of VW compositions by the conductor most associated with his music:
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[Christo]

To get into the right atmosphere - I don't think it to be the best performance, but I do think it's a very convincing re-enactment of the original 1910 performance and helps a lot in understanding the piece - try this Andrew Davies 2010 version in Gloucester Cathedral on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/v/GpwqZSp_CyM

[Xenophanes]

I like this one. I have an earlier iteration without the Wasps Overture but the sound should be exactly the same.

[Mirror Image]

My favorite performance of Fantasia is Elder/Halle with Boult/LPO (1975) coming in a close second-place.

[Rinaldo]

I consider this one of the 10 best audio recordings ever made.

[asin]B005FVFWMU[/asin]

+10000000000000000000000000000000000000

I've found this recording via Pliable and became obsessed with it as well – even made a 'pilgrimage' to the Temple Church in London where it was recorded. There are some great performances available (speaking of which - bless you, Christo, I didn't know that one!) but the Barbirolli is still the best I've heard so far. The balance between the two sections, the tempos, the reverberation.. everything is perfect.

[kishnevi]

All the more reason to acquire it (for the Silvestri).

[Ken B]

A fantastic box. The Scheherazade and Rossignol especially.

[vandermolen]

Original CD release of Silvestri's Tallis Fantasia. Still available inexpensively (UK Amazon). I prefer the cover image to the one with all the wasps on, although the double album gives you symphonies 5 (Gibson) and 6 (Berglund) as well.
[asin]B000006DED[/asin]
The Silvestri box set seen above is excellent also.

[vandermolen]

+10000000000000000000000000000000000000

I've found this recording via Pliable and became obsessed with it as well – even made a 'pilgrimage' to the Temple Church in London where it was recorded. There are some great performances available (speaking of which - bless you, Christo, I didn't know that one!) but the Barbirolli is still the best I've heard so far. The balance between the two sections, the tempos, the reverberation.. everything is perfect.

I went to school round the corner from the Temple Church.