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

$19.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
November 17, 2009
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, RALPH
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Wass, Judd
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      November 17, 2009
    • UPC
      747313230471
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      8572304
    • LABEL
      Naxos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Chamber Music & Recitals
    Works ⌄

    1. I. Overture

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    2. II. Entr'acte

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    3. III. March Past of the Kitchen Utensils

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    4. IV. Entr'acte

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    5. V. Ballet and Final Tableau

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    6. I. Toccata: Allegro moderato -

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Ashley Wass

      Conductor: James Judd

    7. II. Romanza: Lento

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Ashley Wass

      Conductor: James Judd

    8. III. Fuga chromatica con finale alla tedesca: Allegro - Lento - Largo sostenuto - Andante sostenuto -

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Ashley Wass

      Conductor: James Judd

    9. IV. Finale

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Ashley Wass

      Conductor: James Judd

    10. I. March, "Seventeen come Sunday"

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    11. II. Intermezzo, "My Bonny Boy"

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    12. III. March, "Folk Songs from Somerset"

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd

    13. The Running Set

      Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: James Judd


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