"In the introduction and Allegro, Sir John shows his love of the score clearly enough and his is an experienced, masterly performance. The Serenade is warm and affectionate also but the work's calm serenity is nevertheless skillfully preserved." — GRAMOPHONE

180g Audiophile Vinyl Cut from the Original Analogue EMI Master Tapes at Abbey Road Studios!

This famous LP was recorded at the Kingsway Hall, London on May 10-11, 1962, except for the Tallis Fantasia which was recorded in the sonorous acoustic of the medieval Temple Church in the City of London a week later. The latter venue was suggested by the American composer and conductor Bernard Herrmann, a friend and admirer of Barbirolli since Sir John’s years in New York.

From Herrmann's website: “Herrmann insisted that ‘it must be done in a stone building not a studio’. So Herrmann suggested the Temple Church. The recording session was started at midnight to avoid traffic noise. According to Ursula Vaughan Williams (the composer’s widow): "Coats and bags and thermos flasks were piled round the effigies of Crusader Knights. Bernard was there, listening to the balance, listening to the music, and the resulting record is by far the best ever made of the work."

Produced by the legendary Victor Olof and engineered by Harold Davidson and Neville Boyling (Tallis).

The album features the original album artwork and is pressed on 180g vinyl to audiophile standards.

Track Listing
Introduction and Allegro for strings, Op. 47
Serenade in e minor, Op. 20
Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Fantasia on 'Greensleeves'