Vaughan Williams: Fantasia On A Theme by Thomas Tallis

This recording captures the magic of the Stokowski sound, his meticulous attention to detail, and his skill as an arranger. The Tallis Fantasia was a work he championed from 1926, and his support for the composer continued up to RVW’s death in 1958 with the American premiere of the Ninth Symphony. The Dvorák Serenade on this CD was Stokowski’s first recording (at the age of 93) of the work. ‘Stokowski’s concern for tonal balance brings some radiantly beautiful effects… the RPO strings play most beautifully with rich, ripe tone…As to the sound, this is one of the most resplendent Stokowski records we have had from his last Indian Summer in the studio’ Edward Greenfield, Gramophone