This release is a unique and rare recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams conducting his Serenade to Music from a performance in 1951. It is a deeply expressive and romantic interpretation. The Serenade to Music was commissioned by Sir Henry Wood for his Jubilee Concert to celebrate his 50 years as a conductor. The concert took place on October 5th 1938.

The Serenade to Music is one of the sweetest, most beautiful of all Vaughan William’s works.

Also on this recording are the Pilgrim’s Journey and a bonus disc of Vaughan Williams talking about the teachings of Parry and Stanford and a short extract from the funeral service of Vaughan Williams. This recording has been brilliantly re-mastered by Peter Reynolds.

Artists

Sopranos: Stiles Allen*, Isobel Baillie*, Ena Mitchell, Elsie Suddaby*, Contraltos: Muriel Brunskill*, Astra Desmond*, Mary Jarred*, Gladys Ripley, Tenors: William Herbert, Richard Lewis, Stephen Manton, Heddle Nash*, Baritone/Bass: Norman Allin*, Robert Easton*, Roy Henderson*, Harold Williams* (* indicates the soloists in the first performance under Sir Henry Wood in 1938), Louis Bové (soprano), Clifford Scott (tenor), John Peck (baritone), Arnold Ostlund Jr.

Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Plymouth Choir, Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, New York City, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Henry Pfohl