Sir John Barbirolli’s Vaughan Williams cycle with the Hallé Orchestra remains one of the great interpretive landmarks in British music. These four symphonies, recorded between 1944 and 1957, reveal a conductor who understood Vaughan Williams instinctively and an orchestra shaped perfectly to his vision. From the wartime serenity of the Fifth to the haunting glacial landscapes of the Sinfonia Antarctica, the performances carry an emotional depth that still astonishes.
The later stereo recordings of the London and Eighth Symphonies add new colour and impact, showcasing the Hallé’s warmth and precision at their finest. Presented here in newly restored sound, this double-CD set captures a partnership defined by trust, character and deep musical insight. A major release for anyone who values Barbirolli, Vaughan Williams or simply great orchestral storytelling.
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