This page lists all recordings of Symphony No. 1 'A Sea Symphony', by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) on CD, SACD & download (MP3 & FLAC). Generally, more recent releases are listed first, but with priority given to those that are in stock. Despite this being Vaughan Williams’ first symphony, it is nonetheless on an epic scale, with soprano and baritone soloists and a full chorus. Vaughan Williams began work on it when he was 31, and conducted the première on his 38th birthday. Such was its success that Vaughan Williams, on the strength of this piece, became hailed as the leading figure in the post-Elgar generation. The work contains settings of the poems of Walt Whitman, and encompasses a huge range of musical experiences, from the visionary full chorus opening through the buoyant and virtuosic description of the wind and the waves to the mystical baritone solo of the nocturne. This symphony is not only descriptive of the sea in its many forms but also uses the sea as "a metaphor for a voyage into eternity". |
All recordingsPrices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Vaughan Williams - A Sea Symphony & Hodie
“Early performances by this much-missed conductor, the Sea Symphony splendidly vivid and boisterous but marred by the underpowered baritone and shrill soprano.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2010 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony
live recording “The choral singing is as alert and secure as one would expect from Hickox, and the balance with the orchestra is well judged too… Gerald Finley…a noble, warm-toned baritone soloist…” BBC Music Magazine, March 2007 **** “Gritton’s fearless and star-bright soprano waved the flags of the nations, and with [Geralrd] Finley, finally hoisted the anchor to set free the voyaging soul.” The Times, 6th June 2006 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 1 'A Sea Symphony'
“Handley never loses his grasp of this huge score, despite some steady tempos. The Liverpool acoustic throws up a few balance problems, but this is a sure-footed account with a soprano soloist who has few rivals.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 1 'A Sea Symphony'
“Paul Daniel’s performance with the Bournemouth forces is one of the most successful to reach CD: it has spaciousness, drive and power in all the right places. The orchestral playing is refined, the choral singing robust and the ensemble tight.” Daily Telegraph | | | (also available to download from $6.00) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 1 'A Sea Symphony'
| | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 1 'A Sea Symphony'
2002 GRAMMY Awards winner for Best Classical Album and Best Choral Performance “…the…Atlanta choir is on stunning form. Their articulation in the exceptionally tricky Scherzo is unmatched. Baritone Brett Polegato… emerges… as warm toned, restrained, sensitive to the words, acutely aware of the harmonic context - perfect casting. Goerke rises nobly to her big moments... Spano... in firm control, not just of choir and soloists, but of his fine orchestra who contribute playing of exceptional delicacy and virtuosity...” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007 | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 1, 'A Sea Symphony'
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 1 'A Sea Symphony'
“This is admirable for the conductor's musicality and an idiomatic solo soprano. The baritone is dry of timbre but never less than intelligent. Much warmer and more resonant that many rivals.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 1-9
(some symphonies recorded in mono) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Vaughan Williams: Complete Symphonies
| | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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