Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto, Oboe Concerto, Serenade to Music & Flos Campi Peter Oundjian

• Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958 ):
• 1 Serenade to Music 14:29
• Oboe Concerto in A Minor:
• 2 Oboe Concerto in A Minor: I. Rondo pastorale. Allegro moderato 07:52
• 3 Oboe Concerto in A Minor: II. Minuet & Musette. Allegro moderato 02:39
• 4 Oboe Concerto in A Minor: III. Scherzo. Presto 09:33
• Flos campi:
• 5 Flos campi: I. Sicut Lilium inter spinas 02:46
• 6 Flos campi: II. Jam enim hiems transiit 03:24
• 7 Flos campi: III. Quaesivi quem diligit anima mea 03:21
• 8 Flos campi: IV. En lectulum Salomonis sexaginta fortes ambiunt... 01:59
• 9 Flos campi: V. Revertere, revertere Sulamitis! 03:20
• 10 Flos campi: VI. Pone me ut signaculum super cor tuum 06:08
• Piano Concerto in C Major:
• 11 Piano Concerto in C Major: I. Toccata. Allegro moderato 06:42
• 12 Piano Concerto in C Major: II. Romanza. Lento 09:02
• 13 Piano Concerto in C Major: III. Fuga chromatica - IV. Con finale alla tedesca 10:58
• Total Runtime 01:22:13

Info for Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto, Oboe Concerto, Serenade to Music & Flos Campi

With this celebratory release completing his fourteen-year tenure as Music Director of the TSO, Peter Oundjian conducts an exquisite Vaughan Williams programme, supported by an all-Canadian cast of star soloists.

In the programme notes of the concert preceding the recording, Oundjian declared: ‘Ralph Vaughan Williams was possibly England’s most significant composer, and he is a personal favourite of mine. This [recording] presents some of his finest works, featuring soloists from the Orchestra as well as some of Canada's most notable solo artists, and the Elmer Iseler Singers. The lyrical and engaging Oboe Concerto is rarely heard, but it is one of his most inspired works. Serenade to Music showcases his exquisite vocal writing, which also figures prominently in the ravishingly beautiful Flos Campi, so surprisingly scored for solo viola, choir, and chamber orchestra. The Piano Concerto is more dramatic, with a juggernaut opening and a brilliant fugal finale.’

“…The orchestral playing is exceptionally fine. These are engaging and enjoyable performances of masterpieces of English music – an ideal disc for anyone seeking the works presented here, and a must for fans of Vaughan Williams in particular.” (Stuart Sillitoe, MusicWeb-International)

“… an ideal introduction for anyone wanting to explore beyond familiar Vaughan Williams repertoire… Flos Campi is still quite rarely performed, and the work’s sensuous meditation on the biblical Song of Songs is here graced with what must be a candidate for its finest recording ever. The solo playing by Toronto Symphony principal Teng Li offers deep weight of tone, rapturous phrasing and a musical personality that mesmerises the ear; the choral singing is superbly focused and … flawlessly in tune, with a classy orchestral accompaniment to match…” (Malcolm Hayes, BBC Music magazine)

Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian, conductor

Peter Oundjian
A dynamic presence in the conducting world, Peter Oundjian is renowned for his probing musicality, collaborative spirit, and engaging personality.

The 2018-19 season includes debuts with the Indianapolis and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras, and return engagements with the St. Louis, Baltimore, Atlanta, Utah, Colorado, and New World Symphonies as well as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. He completes his second season as Artistic Advisor of the Colorado Music Festival.

2017-18 marked Oundjian's fourteenth and final season as Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO). His appointment in 2004 reinvigorated the orchestra with recordings, tours, and acclaimed innovative programming, as well as extensive audience growth, significantly strengthening the ensemble's presence in the world. In 2014, he led the TSO on a tour of Europe, which included a sold-out performance at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw and the first performance of a North American orchestra at Reykjavík's Harpa Hall. In the 16-17 season, Oundjian led the TSO on a major tour of Israel and Europe.

From 2012 to 2018, Oundjian was Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO). Under his baton, the orchestra toured China, the USA, and across Europe. Together they recorded extensively for Sony and Chandos, and presented Britten's monumental War Requiem at the 2018 BBC Proms.

Few conductors bring such musicianship and engagement to the world's great podiums-from Berlin, Amsterdam, and Tel Aviv, to New York, Chicago, and Sydney. He has also appeared at some of the great annual gatherings of music and music-lovers: from the BBC Proms and the Prague Spring Festival, to the Edinburgh Festival and The Philadelphia Orchestra's Mozart Festival, where he was Artistic Director from 2003 to 2005.

Oundjian was Principal Guest Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 2006 to 2010 and Artistic Director of the Caramoor International Music Festival in New York from 1997 to 2007. Since 1981, he has been a visiting professor at the Yale School of Music, and earned the university's Sanford Medal for distinguished service to music in 2013.

Booklet for Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto, Oboe Concerto, Serenade to Music & Flos Campi