Dona Nobis Pacem

On this CD:

1. Te Deum for chorus & organ (or orchestra) in G
Composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams

2. Serenade to Music ("How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!") for 16 soloists (or soloists & chorus) & orchestra
Composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra with Eva Turner, Norman Allin, Isobel Baillie, Margaret Balfour, Muriel Brunskill, Astra Desmond, Robert Easton, Roy Henderson, Mary Jarred, Parry Jones, Heddle Nash
Conducted by Sir Henry J. Wood

3. Dona Nobis Pacem, cantata for soprano, baritone, chorus, & orchestra
Composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra with Roy Henderson
Conducted by Ralph Vaughan Williams

Tracks:

Te Deum (For The Coronation Of H.M. King George VI And Queen Elizabeth) - Coronation Chor
Ser To Music - Styles Allen/Isobel Baillie/Eslie Suddaby/Eva Turner/Margaret Balfour/Muriel Brunskill...
Dona Nobis Pacem: Agnus Dei/Beat! Beat! Drums/Reconciliation/Dirge For Two Veterans/The Angel Of... - Renee Flynn/Roy Henderson/BBC Chor

Customer Reviews:

Great historical recording for our time.......2002-03-31

I purchased this CD primarily for its recording of "Dona Nobis Pacem," one of Vaughan Williams' most difficult to find works on CD. I didn't realize that it was an archival recording until it arrived, but it is still excellent.

The first two tracks, the "Te Deum" and the "Serenade to Music" are excellent, with the "Te Deum" recorded at Westminster Abbey at the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The "Serenade to Music" comes from a very early recording by the original performing ensemble selected for the first performance by Vaughan Williams himself.

The "Dona Nobis Pacem" is certainly the highlight of this recording. With its calls for peace in a very war-like time, perhaps it is particularly appropriate to hear anew today. This recording is conducted by the composer, one of the few Vaughan Williams recordings of any piece still available today. The depth of passion evident in the recording easily drowns out the occassional click and pop of the very old master.

All in all, a wonderful historical recording of a great piece not heard often enough by one of the great composers of the twentieth century.

Music Review: