absolutely wonderful
Many have already reviewed this CD very positively, so just a brief word. This is probably the most attractive intro. you could have to Vaughan Williams - all the works, whether well known or not so well known, are most beautiful, the recording is excellent and the performances under Boult, who knew exactly how to get the beauty and the poetry out of VW without losing sight of the structure, could not be better. You just can't go wrong - it's a glorious CD.

Vaughan Williams
Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music; The Lark Ascending; Fantasia on Greensleeves; English Folk Song Suite; In the Fen Country; Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1

While this is a re-issue of a 1969 recording it is an excellent presentation by conductor Sir. Adrian Boult.

My Fortunate Discovery
Prior to this CD, I have never owned a Vaughan Williams recording. I had heard of him through a friend of mine who was a big opera and Broadway musical buff in the early 1990's and I assumed he was of the latter. Ted Libbey had recommended "The Lark Ascending" as a potential funeral memorial piece and I was curious and listened to the teaser 30 second spot on Amazon. It was intriguing enough so I bought it.

After listening to it twice (in a row!), I must say that it is very appealing. Symphonically, it has rich sound and there are many beautiful serene passages. I very much like the "Serenade to Music." The voices are soaring and beautiful. In addition, the "English Folk Song Suite" and the other remain pieces are also very engaging. Boult conducts with tenderness and conviction. Libbey is right, "The Lark Ascending" has star quality as a memorial or simply a beautiful lifting and reflective symphonic movement. The mind can imagine the bird rising free into the air and Hugh Bean's violin takes you there.

This CD is a total turn on and I look forward to hearing more Vaughan Williams!

Definitive Vaughn Williams Masterworks
These are the definitive, reference performances and recordings of Lark Ascending and Serenade to Music that I keep coming back to. The best of these Vaughn Williams masterworks.

Love Vaughn Williams
I bought this because Vaughan Williams has so many wonderful compositions. This particular recording contained many favorites including, but not exclusively the English Folk Song Suite conducted by Sir Adrian Boult and performed by the London Symphony... very moving!!!