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Average Customer Review
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44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
Astonishing performances of two masterpieces, 10 Sep 2001
Whether 'Sancta civitas' or 'Dona nobis pacem' is the greater work is subject to debate. But both receive first-rate recordings on this disc.Hickox's recording of "Dona nobis pacem" is excellent (I rate it second, just a shade behind the late Robert Shaw's on Telarc); the singing is first-rate throughout, and the finale is a roller coaster of emotions, from fear to joy to quiet dignity. Yvonne Kenny in particular handles her solos effortlessly. Hickox's 'Sancta' will be, almost without question, the standard for any future recordings of the work. Using all the forces RVW recommended--especially the organ--the net result is incredible: the finale, "Heaven and earth are full of thy glory," is simply overwhelming, an incredible onslaught of sound, followed by one of the great surprises in all of 20th century music. And there are moments of great beauty as well: "Babylon the great is fallen" is a hushed lament (handled with even more skill than Walton's setting of the same text in "Belshazzar's Feast"), while "And I saw a new Heaven" is simply ravishing. I recommend this CD highly and without reservation.
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
Choral Masterpieces., 25 Feb 2005
Neither work is particularly well known, even among enthusiasts for Vaughan Williams music. Don't let that put you off. Both are original and gripping works and Sancta Civitas is an extraordinary piece unlike any other work I know. It is the work in which the composer found the unique colours and dissonance that would lead to works like Job and the Fourth Symphony and is, perhaps, even finer than those great works. It is certainly original. The only previous recording that came anywhere near to doing the work justice was that conducted by Sir David Willcocks. This new account is in the same class and has the benefit of a superb modern recording that the earlier record cannot match. I genuinely believe that Sancta Civitas is one of Vaughan Williams' most under-rated works. Dona Nobis Pacem is also given a great performance here. This marvellous work was very popular before the Second World War and the tone of anguish and resolve is very special. The soloists are superb, the choir and orchestra unusually well balanced and Hickox paces both works to perfection.
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15 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
DON`T MISS THIS MASTERPIECE, 13 Sep 2001
By A Customer
THIS UNDERATED CHORAL WORK REALLY (IN CRUDE WORDS) BEAT, MANY XX CENTURY CHORAL MUSIC, LIKE PSALMS SYMPHONY OR CANTATA PROFANA, ETC. TERFEL BREATHS COMPASIOM IN EVERY WORD FOR THOSE WHO DIED IN BATTLE. THE CHORUS AND ORCHESTRAL DISPLAYS A RARE AND UNIQUE COMMITMENT. YOU MIGHT HAVE THIS!
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
CD review, 22 Jul 2009
A very good album for "easy listening" - not to heavy for someone who also likes rock, jazz, techno etc.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
If you liked Gorecki's Third ..., 19 April 2009
... you will perhaps recognise and approve of the first couple of minutes of Dona nobis pacem. Yvonne Kenny is superb and partners the incomparable Welshman Bryn Terfel.
Thereafter you forget Gorecki and are deeply embroiled in that special world that is English music, and that even more special world that belonged to Vaughan Williams and now to all of us.
Such concentrated elevation of spirit.
If you know VW only by the trenchant symphonies and the spiralling lark and the inspirational Tallis setting, then give yourself a surprise treat and try this out!
If you had any doubts about the greatness of this composer these settings will set your mind straight.
Thankyou and RIP to Richard Hickox for bringing these works to us.
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classic biker, 7 Feb 2009
Excellent choral music not often heard. The two religious items are difficult to do well but here beautifully sung by soloists and choir. Excellently recorded by EMI.
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