Track Listing

1. Adagio for strings (or string quartet; arr. from 2nd mvt. of String Quartet), Op. 11
2. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, for 2 string orchestras
3. Fantasia on Greensleeves, for harp, flute & strings (arranged by R. Greaves; from the opera 'Sir John In Love')
4. String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11: Andante Cantabile
5. Adagietto, for orchestra (from the Symphony No. 5)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16259 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Knows....
Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis for me is the most hauntingly beautiful piece of Romantic music. There is a tension that draws you in while a crescendo ebbs and flows and washes over you. It is a very sensual experience to be ravished by the beauty of this piece. I suggest listening to it with eyes closed take those 18 or so minutes for your self and be loved by the masters that created, inspired and performed this. thank you!

A Must Buy CD!
If you've seen 'Platoon', and 'Lorenzel's Oil', repeatedly hearing the same traumatic music, and want to own it to your music library, this would be the definite CD to buy. A tiny bit slower than what's heard on the screen, but with more emotive sounds on the strings, the New York Phil under Bernstein's baton would surely put you to tears for sure. I claim this is one of the best recording of Barber's Adagio for Strings (lined with Lenny's performance with the LA Phil on DG).

Vaughn-William's Fantasia based on the music by Tallis is indeed haunting and beautiful, and Lenny's performance is highly stimulating, with the string ever so brilliantly played, undoubtly making one of the most acclaimed performaces. The 'Fantasia on Greensleeves' is beatifully played too.

Tchaikovsky's andante cantabile from his first string quartet is another emotive and wonderful adagio on the CD. Leo Tolsoy was so moved by the music, he was in tears. The same may happen to you with Bernstein and the ever melancholy strings.

Mahler's fourth movement from his fifth symphony is played very well tool. Although not as intricately played as the DG recording with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, this is still as touching as it gets.

Overall, I love this CD, with the ever emotion spilling Bernstein with the New York Phil strings. You should own it too if you love adagios. Lined with Karajan's "Adagio" Series, this CD won't disappoint you. Guaranteed!

Grave and Awesome
I bought this CD mainly for the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, but the Greensleeves Fantasia and Barber's Adagio were unexpected bonuses as well. This is a very good recording, not rushed and not too slow. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because it is an AAD recording, that is, a digitally mastered audio recording, and not digitally recorded and mastered (DDD). However, it remains my favorite CD out of quite a collection (depending on the mood you're in, of course).