Vaughan Williams/ Halle Orchestra/ Elder - Symphonies 5 & 8

The Hallé releases it's second volume of works by Vaughan Williams, continuing it's award-winning survey of British music under Musical Director Sir Mark Elder. The release combines two highly contrasting works, for a disc that is both moving and uplifting. The Symphony No. 5 is a generally tranquil work with music influenced by Ravel, with whom Vaughan Williams had studied, and is scored for very traditional forces. The Symphony No. 8 is dedicated to Sir John Barbirolli, and was premiered by the Hallé in 1956. It is the shortest and least serious of the symphonies, and has a more exotic instrumental color, with an enhanced percussion section.