Vaughan Williams/ Hickox - Cotswold Romance / Death of Tintagiles

Though quite popular and well-explored, the catalogue of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams still boasts a few rarely-heard gems. Richard Hickox interprets these near-forgotten beauties remarkably in an historic performance re-released on Classic Chandos. The secular cantata a Cotswold Romance allows a glimpse of Vaughan Williams at home in the fresh and open voice of his pre-WWI compositions, while Death of Tintagiles highlights his capacity for drama and atmosphere.