Fauré: Pavane, Op. 50

‘[The Fauré is] a recording as near as can be to absolute perfection from start to finish.’ (Gramophone)

“It seems extraordinary that Vaughan Williams's Tallis Fantasia should receive its Compact Disc Debut in St Louis. But this is one of a series of outstanding digital recordings made by a small American company that—even in their orginal LP form—succeeded in balancing orchestra truthfully for the digital technology. There is none of the edginess on top that spoils some European recordings; instead the orchestral textures are richly vivid, and the there is an overall ambient warmth that is most appealing. Of course, the coming of the silent background so special to the Compact Disc does enhance the sound that bit more. The gentle elegiac opening of the Tallis Fantasia (and indeed the effect of the second smaller string group) is magical under these circumstances as is that electrifying silence immediately after the climax of the Barber Adagio.” (Ivan March reviewing the original release in The Gramophone, 1983)