William Vann
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Parry: Scenes from Shelley's 'Prometheus Unbound'
RecommendedSarah Fox (soprano), Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), David Butt Philip (tenor), Neal Davies (baritone), Crouch End Festival Chorus, London Mozart Players, William Vann
Vann has mustered a fine team of soloists. Neal Davies is a commanding Prometheus, while David Butt Philip relishes the ringing Wagnerian Heldentenor declamation Parry allots to Jupiter...Vann’s... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, October 2023, Recording of the Month
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2023, Shortlisted - World Premiere Recording (Rediscovery)
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Gramophone Magazine, Critics' Choice 2023
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Gramophone Awards, 2024 Shortlist, Shortlisted - Choral
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Gramophone Awards, 2024 Shortlist, Finalist - Choral
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Special offer. Ralph Vaughan Williams: Folk Songs Volume 1
RecommendedMary Bevan (soprano), Nicky Spence (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), Jack Liebeck (violin), William Vann (piano)
All three soloists are careful to avoid an over-sophisticated response to songs whose strength is their directness of expression and simple integrity. Williams in particular is a perfect singer... —
Awards:
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2020
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Special offer. Ralph Vaughan Williams: Rise, Heart
Roderick Williams (baritone) with Sacconi Quartet, Levi Andreassen (double bass), William Vann (piano)
[Williams] could coax you into listening to a railway timetable set to music! It's good to hear the Five Mystical Songs shorn of the chorus in a version for string quintet and piano from 1925.... —
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Special offer. Ralph Vaughan Williams: Folk Songs Volume 2
Nicky Spence (tenor), William Vann (piano), Roderick Williams (baritone), Mary Bevan (soprano), Thomas Gould (violin)
This is one of the finest produced song albums that’s come my way. All three singers, recognised artists in their vocal prime, perform their allotted songs with commitment and character. They... —
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In Search of Youkali: Songs of Kurt Weill
Katie Bray (mezzo), William Vann (piano), Murray Grainger (accordion), Marianne Schofield (double bass)
Bray's singing matches well with both texts and notes from the barbed vulnerability of the first song from The Threepenny Opera onwards and indeed entering throughout into the spirit of the... —
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Portraits of A Mind
Venables & Vaughan Williams
Alessandro Fisher (tenor), Navarra Quartet, William Vann (piano)
The cycle's five songs are exceptionally well sung by Alessandro Fisher, who convincingly encompasses emotions stretching from the balmy pastoralism of the opening ‘The Lark Ascending’ (with... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 2024 Shortlist, Shortlisted - Voice & Ensemble
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A dark-toned, introspective harmonisation of ‘Coventry Carol’ and a jaunty ‘I Saw Three Ships’ stand out particularly. Clear-toned, welcoming performances. —
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Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Song Of Love
William Vann (piano), Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano), Roderick Williams (baritone)
Until now The House of Life has been the sole preserve of male vocalists on disc, so a warm welcome to this Albion newcomer. Indeed, the mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately’s memorably affecting and... —
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Ralph Vaughan Williams: Folk Songs Volume 4
William Vann (piano), Mary Bevan (soprano), Nicky Spence (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone)
This volume completes Albion Records’s survey of Vaughan Williams’s respectful and often touchingly lyrical arrangements, all performed with character and artistry by these singers and above... —
