Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Somewhat surprisingly, Ralph Vaughan Williams' Christmas cantata, Hodie (1953-54), is one of his least recorded works, yet this is one of the most melodious, accessible, and emotionally compelling among his late masterpieces and deserves much greater representation on CD. Naturally paired on this 2007 Naxos release with the popular Fantasia on Christmas Carols (1912), Hodie receives a splendid treatment from Hilary Davan Wetton and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in some ways reminiscent of the great 1965 recording by David Willcocks and the London Symphony Orchestra on EMI, both in its rugged orchestral strength and in the poignant tenderness of the vocal numbers. Willcocks had wonderful resources in his vocalists, Janet Baker, Richard Lewis, and John Shirley-Quirk, but Wetton has comparable talents in soprano Janice Watson, tenor Peter Hoare, and baritone Stephen Gadd, who is also the soloist in the Fantasia. The eloquence of these singers is matched by the purity of the St. Catherine School Middle Chamber Choir, and complemented by the spectacular sound of the 200-voice Guildford Choral Society, which has a magnificent dynamic range and is movingly expressive in both works. This is a remarkably deep and spacious recording, and listeners will note with pleasure the fine details in the orchestration of Hodie, especially in the sparkling percussion parts.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Fantasia on Christmas Carols (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Stephen Gadd, Artist, MainArtist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Guildford Choral Society, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Hodie (This Day) (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer - Janice Watson, Artist, MainArtist - Stephen Gadd, Artist - Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor - Peter Hoare, Artist - Guildford Choral Society, Choir - St Catherine's School Middle Chamber Choir, Choir
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Album review
Somewhat surprisingly, Ralph Vaughan Williams' Christmas cantata, Hodie (1953-54), is one of his least recorded works, yet this is one of the most melodious, accessible, and emotionally compelling among his late masterpieces and deserves much greater representation on CD. Naturally paired on this 2007 Naxos release with the popular Fantasia on Christmas Carols (1912), Hodie receives a splendid treatment from Hilary Davan Wetton and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in some ways reminiscent of the great 1965 recording by David Willcocks and the London Symphony Orchestra on EMI, both in its rugged orchestral strength and in the poignant tenderness of the vocal numbers. Willcocks had wonderful resources in his vocalists, Janet Baker, Richard Lewis, and John Shirley-Quirk, but Wetton has comparable talents in soprano Janice Watson, tenor Peter Hoare, and baritone Stephen Gadd, who is also the soloist in the Fantasia. The eloquence of these singers is matched by the purity of the St. Catherine School Middle Chamber Choir, and complemented by the spectacular sound of the 200-voice Guildford Choral Society, which has a magnificent dynamic range and is movingly expressive in both works. This is a remarkably deep and spacious recording, and listeners will note with pleasure the fine details in the orchestration of Hodie, especially in the sparkling percussion parts.
© TiVo
Details of the original recording : 71:00 - DDD - Enregistré au Cadogan Hall à Londres en janvier 2007 - Notes en anglais & allemand
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 17 track(s)
- Total length: 01:10:50
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Hilary Davan Wetton
- Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams
- Label: Naxos
- Area: Angleterre
- Genre: Classical
- Period: Modern Style
(C) 2007 Naxos (P) 2007 Naxos
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.