Ralph Vaughan Williams: Norfolk Rhapsodies Nos. 1 & 2/The Bluebird/Music for an EFDS Masque/Variations for Orchestra/David Matthews: Norfolk March [SACD Hybrid Multi-channel]

It used to be said that, of Vaughan Williams' three Norfolk Rhapsodies (1905-06) (so-called because they all incorporated folk tunes collected from the county), only the first remained extant. it is true that the score of No. 3 was went missing during the First World War, but No. 2 survived, albeit minus the final couple of pages, and thanks to some reconstruction work by Stephen Hogger, a performing version was prepared and recorded by Richard Hickox and the LSO in 2002 (CHAN 10001). Although No. 3 was unavailable, a detailed programme note for the 1907 premiere not only listed the folk tunes quoted in the work, but gave some indication of how they were deployed, and what instrumentation was used. On this basis, David Matthews (b. 1943) was commissioned to compose a piece using these folk tunes and taking account of what could be gleaned from the original programme note. The result is 'Norfolk March'. In this piece, Matthews rather cleverly maintains the spirit of the original rhapsody while also introducing a more sinister note in the second half of the work in commemoration of the centenary of the darkest days of the First World War (1916). On this recording, therefore, we can hear the two surviving Norfolk Rhapsodies coupled with Matthews' Norfolk March which provides us with a tantalising insight into the sound world of the Norfolk Rhapsody No. 3. It is certainly the nearest we shall get to having all three Rhapsodies before us.But there are plenty of other goodies, too! Between the years 1909-14 RVW worked intensively on commissions form incidental music to various plays (of which Aristophanes' 'The Wasps' is undoubtedly the most familiar). The music for other Greek plays has been recorded by Albion Records (ALBCD 033), and that for Maeterlinck's 'Death of Tintagales' by Chandos (CHAN 9646). On the present CD we have more Maeterlinck incidental music, this time 'The Blue Bird' (orchestrated from the short score by Martin Yates). The music has none of the dark foreboding in RVW's treatment of Maeterlinck's sinister 'Death of Tintagales', and contains some of the composer's most engaging melodies. No wonder he was so much in demand among the dramatists of the day.There are three other 'firsts' on this recording: 'A Folk Song Medley', the 'Little March Suite' and the 'Christmas Overture' - all edited and completed or orchestrated by Martin Yates. The first two were composed for the English Folk Dance and Song Society, and not surprisingly bristle with original folk tunes, many of which are recognisable from other Vaughan Williams pieces or arrangements. Those listeners who are familiar with 'The Running Set' will have some idea of what to expect. The 'Christmas Overture' presents us with typical seasonal fayre of the kind familiar in some of RVW's other Christmas pieces ('God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman' was always a firm favourite of his).By contrast with the folksiness of most of this programme, the remaining work is the late (1957) and highly impressive 'Variations for Orchestra'. It actually began life as a test piece for the National Brass Band Championships, and was orchestrated shortly after the composer's death by that doyen of orchestrators Gordon Jacob. Although lasting barely twelve minutes, so much happens in that short time that the listener feels him/herself to have embarked upon an epic journey. It is the work of an old man with an ever-fertile imagination.The Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Martin Yates, is in its usual dependable form, and the recording quality is all that we have come to expect from Dutton. I cannot imagine any devotees of RVW's music wanting to be without this fascinating disc.

In addition to familiar favourites such as the two Norfolk Rhapsodies, some interesting and very pleasant 'unknowns' (at least for me) are to be found on this disc. Overall, this CD will probably be of more interest to RVW enthusiasts than those with a 'passing' interest in his music, but still worth the price of the disc anyway.

A well played and recorded selection of unusual VW