Richard III - My Kingdom For a Horse (1913)
Richard II - Concert Fantasy (1944)
The Willow Song (1897)
Henry IV Suite (1913)
Orpheus with his Lute (1903)
Henry V Overture (1913)
Three Songs From Shakespeare (1925)
Stratford Suite (1913)
Dirge for Fidele (1922)
Two Shakespeare Sketches from 'The England of Elizabeth' (1955)

For over 17 years now Albion Records have worked diligently to unearth, produce and release rarely performed and many world premiere recordings of works by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). This latest release presents an engaging overview of Vaughan Williams' musings on the great Shakespearian era.

At the core of this CD, and in keeping with Vaughan Williams the symphonist, is the Richard II - Concert Fantasy, by far the longest work here at over 17 minutes. It's very much in keeping with this composer's brooding, wind-swept British Isles style. It's overall dark and morose character nevertheless reveals a regal sense of pageantry befitting Shakespearian England. This dichotomy is very well captured and projected by the Kent Sinfonia under the direction of British conductor and author James Ross, whose well controlled pacing and attention to expressive details expose the work's intent.

On the other hand, the Henry IV Suite and Stratford Suite, which includes a fine arrangement of the perennial Greensleeves, harken back to the days of Merry Old England and the Renaissance style. And to make for a well-rounded program, included are a few early songs like Orpheus with his Lute performed by soprano Eloise Irving and pianist Malcolm Riley, which hint at the more personable side of Vaughan Williams.

I'm sure everyone would agree that Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote some of the most impressive symphonies of the 20th century. It's also nice to know that he took the time and interest to honor his country's heritage through music.