This may be the best recording I've ever encountered of Vaughn Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis". It may also be unique in my experience, thanks to three factors.
The first is the dividing of the orchestra into two parts. Vaughn Williams conducted this piece in the Gloucester Cathedral in 1910, and specified this arrangement for the inaugural performance. Wikipedia describes it thus:
The Fantasia is scored for double string orchestra with string quartet, employing antiphony between the three contributory ensembles. Orchestra I is the main body of strings; Orchestra II is smaller. The published score does not stipulate the number of players in Orchestra I; Orchestra II consists of two first violins, two seconds, two violas, two cellos and one double bass.
Most modern performances don't make the division, playing it as a single, united orchestra: but it does make an audible difference when two separate groups play together. In this case, the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra performs on and above the stage at the Kilden Performing Arts Center in that city. Orchestra 1 is, as noted above, the majority of the orchestra: Orchestra 2 is positioned behind and above it, on the rear balcony. Listen for the distinctive interplay between the two music sources. It works, and adds a new dimension to the piece.
The second is the technical quality of the recording. Most modern performances of a lot of classical music emphasize the bass, and de-emphasize higher registers. I've heard performances of the Fantasia that remind me more of a German oompah marching band than a hymn! In this performance, the orchestra and the editors of the recording have returned to what I think Vaughn Williams himself would recognize as what he wanted; a more balanced, measured sound where the interplay of the elements of the orchestra, the balance of the music overall, is more important than thumpity-thump. I enjoyed it very much.
The third is the conductor, Tabita Berglund. Despite her youth and relative inexperience, she's about to take over as Principal Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In this performance, she's simply magnificent; and based on it, I suspect the standards of classical music in Detroit are about to take a distinct upward turn. Her style of conducting is more flowing, more intimately expressive, than many other conductors in my experience. She clearly puts herself into the music and conducts in terms of what it says to her, rather than merely reading dry notes on a music manuscript page. For example, watch the last minute or so of this piece, particularly the final notes as they fade away. Watch her body language, the expression on her face . . . and the sheer joy in her beaming smile as she looks up at the orchestra. It's a musical vignette in itself.
Without further ado, here goes.
You can bet I'm going to look for more performances by the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, and particularly for more under the baton of Ms. Berglund. Discovering their rendition of the Fantasia made my week.
Peter
6 comments:
Stunning, sir.
Thank you for pointing out that last sixty seconds or so.... that was beatific, and the final resolve chord fulfilled the movement in spectacular fashion.
A lovely way to spend part of a quiet Sunday morning... in reverence for what we can accomplish, even now.
Mike in Canada
The Tallis Fantasia has been my favorite string composition for decades and everything Peter said sounds right to me. My favorite performance is on a Desmar vinyl , "The Stokowski String Sound", DSM1011, 1976, from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski. Though not as scored for a second smaller string orchestra. I've listened to over a dozen different performances. Sir Adrian Boult is reliably solid and understands the timing of the piece. Rarely for Philadelphia and Ormandy, they hurry the piece along, at least the performances that I've heard.
I was listening to the Tallis Fantasia last night. The flip side of the Desmar is an extraordinary performance of Dvorak's Serenade for Strings in E. And reflecting on my fading hearing. I'm excited to hear this performance and a bright young conductor.
These are good times for classical music collectors, Mint Decca's, tulip DG's and Shaded dog RCA's going for pennies.
rick m
Ref Anon's remark above --I have accumulated scores of vinyl classical in thrift shops. Personal Sunday Morning Music is Bach Cantatas, but always check Peter's suggestions for the variety and insight. Not a Vaugh Williams fan and prefer Tallis on baroque instruments but a remarkable performance.
Peter, Your discovery of this gem made My weekend as well. Thank you 😊
When the local symphony did the Fantasia, the conductor split them as much as possible, on lines like the ones in the video. I finally "understood" the interplay in the movement.
TXRed
Good to see the Norwegians spending all that oil and gas money on something worthwhile. That's really a very good performance.
The Trondheim Soloists are worth a look and listen, too.
There are some exceptional quality recordings on various Scandinavian labels: Proprius, Bis, 2L spring to mind.
Compilation album The Genuine Proprius Sound is a good place to start.
Back to Vaughan Williams -- There's a wonderful Bernard Haitink LPO recording of all pre-WWI compositions by him. Lost world gone forever.
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