Vaughan Williams’s small-scale choral works are a comparatively lesser-known aspect of his art. The majority of these compositions arose from his folksong-collecting activities at the turn of the century; this recording brings some of his finest folksong arrangements together with other a cappella works. They cover the whole of the composer’s long career — from The Willow Song, written when he was eighteen, to Heart’s Music, composed three years before his death at the age of eighty-six. 

The Holst Singers are the foremost amateur choir in London. Under their musical director Stephen Layton they regularly perform on Radio 3 and Classic FM and in the major concert venues. The choir is joined for several songs by the renowned soloists Ian Bostridge and Michael George.

1. Loch Lomond                  [3'50]
with Michael George bass

Three Shakespeare Songs                  [6'35]
2. Full fathom five                  [2'55]
3. The cloud-capp'd towers                  [2'48]
4. Over hill, over dale                  [0'52]

5. Alister McAlpine's lament                  [3'30]

6. An acre of land                  [1'33]

7. The seeds of love                  [2'01]
with Michael George bass

8. Ca' the yowes                  [6'56]
Anonymous - traditional , arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
with Ian Bostridge (tenor)

Five English folk songs                  [13'44]
9. The dark-eyed sailor  It was a comely young lady fair                  [2'03]
10. The spring time of the year  As I walked out one morning                  [2'50]
with Ian Bostridge tenor
11. Just as the tide was flowing  One morning in the month of May                  [2'02]
12. The lover's ghost  Well met, well met my own true love                  [4'21]
13. Wassail song                  [2'28]

14. The winter is gone                  [1'43]
with Ian Bostridge tenor

15. Mannin veen                  [3'13]

16. Bushes and briars  Through bushes and through briars I lately took my way                  [2'35]
with Ian Bostridge tenor

17. Down among the dead men                  [2'08]

Three Elizabethan Songs                  [5'19]
18. Sweet day                  [2'04]
19. O mistress mine                  [1'19]
20. The willow song                  [1'56]

21. Greensleeves                  [5'33]
with Ian Bostridge (tenor)

22. Rest  O Earth, lie heavily upon her eyes                  [3'17]

23. Heart's music                  [2'47]

24. Come away, death                  [3'33]

25. The turtle dove  Fare you well, my dear, I must be gone                  [3'27]
Anonymous - traditional , arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
with Michael George bass

‘This new Vaughan Williams collection complements the Holst Singers' critically acclaimed 1993 CD of Holst partsongs (CDH55171) and is equally impressive … masterly, but also supremely musical … the Shakespeare settings are outstanding … the Holst Singers … sing with a spellbinding sense of atmosphere and crystal-clear textures. Strongly recommended for all admirers of Vaughan Williams and fine choral work’ (BBC Music Magazine)