Unknown recordings from over 60 years ago are now released by Albion for the first time. Four major works by Ralph Vaughan Williams were privately recorded and given to the late Ursula Vaughan Williams between 1961 and 1966. Ursula, in turn, gave this unique material to The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society in 1996. Fourteen of the seventeen tracks on the album have never been commercially issued on record. The exceptions are The Oxen and the Masque of Charterhouse, which were released on LPs. Some of the recordings derive from broadcasts; most are of high quality.

The album opens with three movements from music for the wartime film The Story of a Flemish Farm, recorded by the BBC Scottish Orchestra conducted by Graham Treacher. Vaughan Williams thought this film score contained some of his finest music. The Aeolian String Quartet ran from 1944 to 1981 and was prolific in recording studios in the 1960s and 1970s. With assistance from Kenneth Essex, they provide recordings of both the Phantasy Quintet and String Quartet No. 2 in A minor (For Jean on her Birthday). This collection of largely unissued recordings is unmissable. Coming from the composer's widow, it is truly From Ursula, with Love.

Artists

Kenneth Essex, John Carol Case (bass-baritone), George Thalben-Ball, Chorus and Orchestra of Charterhouse School and William Llewllyn, William Llewllyn, BBC Scottish Orchestra, Aeolian Quartet, Philomusica of London, Chorus and Orchestra of Charterhouse School, Graham Treacher, Donald Cashmore, William Llewellyn