Ralph Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on Christmas Carols

[@timh.7283]

I'm afraid I get all the astringency I can handle from the nightly news. I came here to reflect, to be consoled and uplifted. Of course it didn't disappoint. It never does. Merry Christmas.

[@AntPDC]

And who could disagree amidst this utter turmoil? A Merry Christmas to you and yours Tim.

[@MarcSylvain-f3t]

I can’t believe it’s 8 yrs ago when I came across this video. Every year I come back (more than once) to enjoy. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@danparker7575]

I'm grateful that you chose the Guildford Cathedral Choir recording, led by the amazing Barry Rose.

[@Woody615]

The first time I performed this was 42 years ago in Dec. 1977 when I was a member of my church choir. I can remember looking out and seeing my girlfriend in the audience. We only lasted for another 8 months, but this was one of the good memories I have of her.

[@AntPDC]

What a lovely comment. Merry Christmas.

[@bananacake9289]

Just beyond exquisite! Thank you! And I’m listening to this, 20th MAY 2022!! Quintessentially ENGLISH in so many ways, including the photos and images! 🇬🇧 What a divinely inspired musical 🎶 genius Vaughan Williams was!!! 🕊🕊🕊🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙏🌈😇🇬🇧❤️

[@sidpheasant7585]

So true ... Holy Spirit was here ... and there, and with you too, I pray. He works with atheists and agnostics too, if it suits His purpose. And love and truth, wisdom, meaning, synergy and connectivity ... and joy join whatever He touches...

[@dennispearson9287]

Magnificent Visionary Fusion of The Music with the Imagery !!!....This is One of The Best and Most Robust Performances of This Vaughan Williams Masterpiece that I Have Ever Heard !!!.....Thanks A Million for Posting !!!.....I Have Now Been Catapulted Into The Christmas Spirit !!!....

[@AntPDC]

Couldn't agree more Dennis!

[@user-bh4rx8mf8g]

This video is such an absolute delight. One of the gems of KZbin. Thank you, Ant.

[@AntPDC]

How kind. A Merry Christmas to you.

[@mccpz]

As a student of choral music I have always been fascinated by the human voice. No man-made instrument can duplicate its purity and emotion. This is beautiful!

[@andyfield7397]

except a harp 😉, but yes the human voice amongst other things in the design of humans is an extraordinary instrument

[@enarbee1153]

My favourite recording of this great piece. And your photos are stunning

[@AntPDC]

Thank you, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@baroqueman1]

A wonderful evocation of a plastic-free Christmas Past. Brought back some pleasant images of friends and Seasonal scenes from my early years. Thanks for posting this.

[@AntPDC]

Merry Christmas Christopher.

[@baroqueman1]

And many of the same to your good self.

[@ianbevis5755]

Another year goes past and here I am again! Always moves me listening to this. A performance of this by the Bristol orchestra and choir in the cathedral some years ago was quite a moving experience. Happy Christmas.

[@patrickvanrhedenborg6784]

Thank you! I also really enjoyed your photos, the paintings and your accompanying explanation.

[@orancarter]

Thank you for sharing this. Married in 1970, my wife and I treasured this particular recorded for years as a reminder of our first Christmas. Unfortunately it was lost at some point in the 80's and though we purchased other records of this beautiful piece, Barry Rose and the Choir of Guildford was always our favourite. Again, thank you so much.

[@AntPDC]

How lovely, thank you. For me, too, this performance is definitive. My first copy was an LP issued under the HMV Greensleeves label, when living in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk as a youngster. Whenever I listen to this now, I'm reminded fondly of that beautiful town. Best wishes.

[@orancarter]

AntPDC Thank you very much for your quick reply; now we shall wait for a time in the future to hear Hodie: A Christmas Cantata by Vaughan Williams with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir David Willcocks featuring Dame Janet Baker. We both love your site though we learned of Gerald Finzi, our favourite English composer.

[@AntPDC]

Douglas Carter Thank you Douglas. I've had VW's Hodie in mind for quite a while, but I'm daunted by its scale (not to mention my abysmal upload bandwidth). Season's Greetings to you and your lady. Ant.

[@orancarter]

AntPDC I thought of that after posting my message. A future project perhaps when technology improves I hope. All the best at this Christmas Season and thanks once again for all your wonderful work.

[@whiteflag1000]

Thx - how peaceful to listen and watch this wonderful video. At the end: It was very touching to see the lamb on the altar. Blessings...

[@AntPDC]

Likewise white...

[@timwestergrenspain]

Absolutely stunning!

[@Artisticer]

Gorgeous in every way!

[@MaggieKrenek]

I think so too.

[@timh.7283]

Well, after Advent Carols in Tewkesbury Abbey last night, I have kicked off my domestic Festive revels within this wonderful work. By turns, profound, solemn, warm, jolly and utterly life-affirming. All enhanced by this beautiful video which is well up to your usual standards. Merry Christmas.

[@AntPDC]

What a fine comment Tim. And I do wish I had been at Tewkesbury - what a magical event that must have been. I'm looking forward to Christmas, and I wish you and yours a Merry one.

[@rach5516]

this is wonderful, thank you :-)

[@forestgreenorgangeekclaire8629]

I know it's not Christmas season yet. But tomorrow is RVW's birthday. Happy birthday, Rafe! From "Forest Green Organ Geek"

[@larryjannotta5697]

So happy that I played this professionally in my lifetime...timpani/percussion...

[@a18ion]

Wow! Everything about this is perfect. Brilliant photographs, beautifully filmed and edited. This musical version is so clear for a 1966 recording. Definitely one to buy. Thank you very much for creating this video. Happy Christmas!

[@AntPDC]

And a Merry Christmas to you Al8ion!

[@riverboatjoe4449]

Ahh I wish it were the Christmas season! The feeling in the air is like none other.

[@paulcaswell2813]

Wonderful performance and recording :-)

[@jimsonisolation]

Wonderful photos! Magnificent recording!

[@tanglelena]

What a beautiful collection of music you have, I also like your choice of images to accompany them.

[@douglascarter5943]

I have this recording. A re-play takes place every day during the season.

[@AntPDC]

Merry Christmas Douglas.

[@1RobertCEvans]

Beautifully done! Thanks for sharing!

[@AntPDC]

My pleasure Robert.

[@waynewrightevans9007]

Ant. How sublime I do love RVW s music - your photography is quite enchanted Merry Christmas

[@AntPDC]

Thank you again Wayne. Alas, I'm unable to reply to some of your earlier thoughtful and encouraging comments elsewhere on my Channel, courtesy of the recent integration of Google plus and KZbin :( I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas too! Best wishes, Ant

[@waynewrightevans9007]

I have you to thank Ant for introducing me to Finzis music - I recently read a biography on the man and what a gentle man he was - his music speaks volumes to me and touches me very deeply indeed - thank you for this

[@AntPDC]

How kind of you to comment in the way you did Wayne. It is most appreciated, and of course I agree with you about Gerald Finzi's deep humanity. I do so wish I could have met him - what a signal pleasure that would have been.

[@ianbevis5755]

Stunning work. It makes me homesick listening to it here in Vietnam. I want crisp clear weather and a mince pie!

[@AntPDC]

Often an expat myself, I've always found, wherever I am in the World, that English music brings me home, even for a moment. A Merry Christmas to you and yours Ian :)

[@AntPDC]

AntPDC ... and make a mince pie ;)

[@ianbevis5755]

AntPDC Thank you. And we found Robinson's mincemeat! The world is shrinking. Happy Christmas!

[@AntPDC]

Ian Bevis ...but have you found a Christmas pudding? Probably. As you say, the World is shrinking!

[@AntPDC]

Mince pie time again Ian!

[@ScotPeacock]

Beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing. I've also uploaded this gorgeous piece of music with some wintery pics of my own, but they're not a patch on yours :-) Peace and love for the festive season and beyond.

[@AntPDC]

And a merry Christmas to you Scot - to you and your family. It is a piece of music which will ever mark Christmas for me.

[@AntPDC]

...and you are far too modest Scot - your photography is sensational! Here is the link to Scot's work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHuVi3p_oreDnrs

[@ScotPeacock]

AntPDC May it always give you joy and a happy lump in your throat. Have a great festive :-)

[@ScotPeacock]

Hi dear Huna, a very Happy New Year to you. Here is some music. If you look at my KZbin channel, see if you can find "Fantasia on a Thomas Tallis theme", by Ralph Vaughan Williams. It is a very beautiful and spiritual piece xx

[@AntPDC]

A Merry Christmas Scot.

[@ArchivesofSound]

For any who may be interested, the unofficial sound archive of Guildford Cathedral Choir under Barry Rose is now coming onto KZbin via ArchivesofSound. Most of the tracks have never been widely heard before. (Apologies for the advertising!)

[@ianbevis5755]

very interested to hear this, thanks

[@AntPDC]

Thanks so much for the heads up (sorry, I spent too much time in the US).

[@AntPDC]

I especially loved your upload of Betjeman at Guildford - marvellous stuff, thanks so much!

[@AntPDC]

Keep up the good work Archives of Sound, and a Merry Christmas to you.

[@ArchivesofSound]

Will do. We're still only about half way through the archive. Merry Christmas!

[@2charliep]

This is a good recording, not too slow and I always think it sounds best recorded in a church, the acoustics need to be good to get the right ethereal quality.

[@cogidubnus1953]

Although a long term addict of RVW's works, especially those conducted by Boult, and more especially the orchestral stuff I've, perhaps unbelievably, never before heard this...it's playing as I type...I don't think I've ever heard anything so sublime...I'm buying it right now, though I can't find the same recording...just a 1991 one... can anybody help with a clue?

[@AntPDC]

www.amazon.com/Vaughan-Williams-Christmas-Cantata-Fantasia/dp/B00004YU84

[@cogidubnus1953]

@@AntPDC Thanks...I did actually succeed in finding this recording eventually...sorry, I should have updated...thanks for your trouble!

[@AntPDC]

@@cogidubnus1953 I'm glad you did! It is by far my favourite recording. Looking forward to Advent :). Best wishes.

[@cogidubnus1953]

@@AntPDC Yes it is so beautiful...I'm really very much obliged to you for posting it in the first place, thus bringing it to my attention...hope you and yours enjoy both a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year...this recording is certainly being played at our house over the festive period, not least at our Wedding Anniversary on Christmas Eve!

[@AntPDC]

@@cogidubnus1953 Thank you. How lovely it must be to combine Christmas Eve with one's wedding anniversary. Best wishes.

[@fdc8394]

Part of any real christmas

[@a18ion]

I used to enjoy this annually, this year there are ads IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PERFORMANCE. This is shameful. The antithesis of the Christmas spirit. Greed. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@AntPDC]

To be fair to the original artists and those who paid for this recording to be made, short of buying the CD, or using paid online services, advertising is the only way of rewarding them for their work. However, some people just don't see it that way and use Adblock Plus, which is free.

[@mrnnhnz]

nice, except the score doesn't indicate rubato, and this adds a lot. When there's this much you sit there thinking, 'Are they really hamming it up, or can they just not stay in time?'

[@AntPDC]

Thank you. You know this already, but for the benefit of others I'd add this. Rubato (slight speeding up and then slowing down of tempo), even when not notated in the score, is often used liberally by conductors, musicians. Singers frequently use it intuitively to let the tempo of the melody expressively shift slightly and freely above that of the accompaniment. This intuitive shifting leads to rubato's main effect: making music sound expressive and natural. The same applies to acting: Shakespeare's plays offer much freedom to the actor to use pauses as an artistic choice, wherein The Bard is totally silent on the matter. To my ears, I think the conductor, Barry Rose, used that freedom very well here. It's all subjective of course. Best wishes.

[@mavisemberson8737]

@@AntPDC Quite right!

[@paulcaswell2813]

1:48: A cassock alb. WHY?

[@AntPDC]

Why not? I'm not particularly well-versed in liturgical vestments...

[@eoghdes18]

Who's the baritone? The Truth from Above is a bit... helden, a bit rough. Should be more legato, more elegant, more simply rendered, IMO.

[@AntPDC]

Thank you. I have just updated my Description, as promised earlier. The baritone, John Barrow, was I believe a lay-clerk at Guildford cathedral at the time of this recording (1966).

[@eoghdes18]

Ah yeah, it sounds of that sort of vintage! Thank goodness modern basses/baritones are allowed to 'feminise' their sounds enough to sing lyrically!

[@SuperMelvyn]

Such a pity that this has dated but the background chorus in the first number just recalls too many sugary Hollywood films and creates the gooey mush that give religion and music a bad name. And the other carols are also inflated with their folk song beauty destroyed in the arrangements. Fortunately there is a lot of Vaughan-Williams that transcends or evades such things. Rush for the Thomas Tallis Fantasia, 4th and 6th Symphonies, and The Lark Ascending.

[@diogenesagogo]

RVW can hardly be held responsible for sugary Hollywood films. I also love the more astringent works of his, but I would say the Tallis Fantasia & Lark Ascending are not without a fair dollop of sweetener. And sometimes you just need a bit of gooey mush; I think of Dickens' Christmas carol & Pickwick Papers when I hear this. Forgiveness & goodwill to all men lie at its heart. You cannot help petty squabbles dominate your life sometimes, but this piece, childlike & naive if you will, epitomises that time when we can put differences aside & celebrate love for all humanity.

[@SuperMelvyn]

I like your comment very much and will listen to these carols again with it in mind. It is always a problem when a later degeneration affects the way we hear something but it is hard to wash our ears and minds of those familiar associations.

[@AntPDC]

Melvyn Elphee Advent is approaching. I try to leave my critical faculties behind, imperfect as they might be, at this time of year.

[@AntPDC]

diogenesagogo Spot on :).

[@MaggieKrenek]

I understand what you say and, of course, respect it, but music evolves. RVW is responsible for preserving, and bringing to the public notice, some of our oldest folk carols. I agree with Peter Ackroyd who, in 'Albion: The Making of the English Imagination', describes RVW's music as 'something very new and very old' That was surely his genius.