Vaughan Williams, Howells, Delius, Elgar: Music for Strings

Chronique

Perhaps only those in the know realize that the Sinfonia of London under conductor John Wilson has, when all the cylinders are firing, a string section that can compete with any in the world. The contention is amply demonstrated by this collection of string orchestra works, released in 2023 and landing on classical best-seller charts early that year. Sample the transition from Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, with its churchy string tones, to the rasps at the beginning of the Concerto for String Orchestra of Herbert Howells. The variety of string sounds in Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, Op. 47, is striking in this passionate, compelling performance. Yet there is a commonality to these works beyond the forces: all of the works, with the exception of Delius' Late Swallows (a transcription of a string quartet movement), which serves as an interlude, refer in one way or another to Baroque or Renaissance music. This holds everything together in a suite-like construction of uncommon beauty. Fans of Wilson and the Sinfonia of London will already be all over this release, but it is likely to bring in new fans for the group as well.
© James Manheim /TiVo