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Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto / Wass, Judd, Royal Liverpool PO
Naxos

Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto / Wass, Judd, Royal Liverpool PO

$19.99

Details

Composer
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, RALPH
Artist
Wass, Judd
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Nov 17, 2009
Catalog #
8572304
UPC
747313230471

About

Vaughan Williams' Piano Concerto is a wonderful, wholly characteristic work. The fact that it ends softly probably accounts for its lack of popularity in concert, but it's been very lucky on disc. Almost all of the available versions are very good, and this one is no exception. Ashley Wass offers a scintillating account of the opening Toccata, alternately brilliant and delicate, a lovely and lyrical Romanza, and an aptly gutsy fugue and finale. Having James Judd on the podium virtually guarantees sharply focused, idiomatic accompaniments. He's one of Naxos' most reliable and interpretively characterful conductors.

The couplings are also quite appealing. The complete Wasps suite is another excellent work that you'll probably never hear in concert, at least outside of England, and more's the pity. Judd delivers a flavorsome performance. His tempo for the overture is particularly well-judged, not as slow as Boult's but not as slick and swift as some prefer. Rather, he finds a sturdy liveliness of pace and gruff good humor that comes across as quintessentially English. The Folk Song Suite and Running Set march are charming and never seem to lose their tuneful freshness, while the entire program is very well played by the RLPO. Very good sonics too. A treat for RVW fans.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 13 tracks

  1. 1 I. Overture 10:02
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Overture
    Duration
    10:02
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  2. 2 II. Entr'acte 02:43
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Entr'acte
    Duration
    02:43
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  3. 3 III. March Past of the Kitchen Utensils 02:57
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. March Past of the Kitchen Utensils
    Duration
    02:57
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  4. 4 IV. Entr'acte 03:43
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Entr'acte
    Duration
    03:43
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  5. 5 V. Ballet and Final Tableau 06:41
    Track
    5
    Title
    V. Ballet and Final Tableau
    Duration
    06:41
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  6. 6 I. Toccata: Allegro moderato - 06:48
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Toccata: Allegro moderato -
    Duration
    06:48
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Performer
    Ashley Wass
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  7. 7 II. Romanza: Lento 09:15
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Romanza: Lento
    Duration
    09:15
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Performer
    Ashley Wass
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  8. 8 III. Fuga chromatica con finale alla tedesca: Allegro - Lento - Largo sostenuto - Andante sostenuto - 04:57
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Fuga chromatica con finale alla tedesca: Allegro - Lento - Largo sostenuto - Andante sostenuto -
    Duration
    04:57
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Performer
    Ashley Wass
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  9. 9 IV. Finale 06:40
    Track
    9
    Title
    IV. Finale
    Duration
    06:40
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Performer
    Ashley Wass
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  10. 10 I. March, "Seventeen come Sunday" 02:57
    Track
    10
    Title
    I. March, "Seventeen come Sunday"
    Duration
    02:57
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  11. 11 II. Intermezzo, "My Bonny Boy" 03:15
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. Intermezzo, "My Bonny Boy"
    Duration
    03:15
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  12. 12 III. March, "Folk Songs from Somerset" 03:05
    Track
    12
    Title
    III. March, "Folk Songs from Somerset"
    Duration
    03:05
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd
  13. 13 The Running Set 06:36
    Track
    13
    Title
    The Running Set
    Duration
    06:36
    Composer
    Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    James Judd