Vaughan Williams - Symphony no. 5 in D. 3rd movement - "Romanza".

I think this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written; inspired by the westcountry, the search for spiritual peace and a deep, deep humanity.

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[YourGreatPotential]

@1970SWP: I did not see your reply to the inquiry who are performing on this recording. With regards to the tempo: I have a recording of Andre Previn with the London Symphony Orchestra with this movement at 12:15 and for me it really really works. The feel is very similar to this recording, so I am curious too about who played this. Thanks for posting; good slideshow and clear sound....and of course heavenly music.

[1970SWP]

@YourGreatPotential Thank you. This recording was Vernon Handley conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. I have his box set of the symphonies - phenomenal!

[JaceXander]

SEEING THIS LIVE ON SUNDAY, NORTHAMPTON, UK!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[1970SWP]

@JaceXander how was the performance?

[saunders2159]

Music to make you swallow hard as your eyes moisten. A live performance is almost too much to bear.

[1970SWP]

@saunders2159 I heard this live last year in Glasgow's Kelvingrove museum. It was indeed almost too much to bear. The museum has a large interior space like London's Natural History Museum. The acoustic was very resonant and cathedral-like; perfect for this music. It was a very moving and spiritual experience.

[jlmusicfan57]

In the summer of 1994 I was on a bus tour of Europe. On part of this trip, our group spent several days in the town of Zermatt, Switzerland. The town is only accessible by train and motor vehicles simply are not permitted. One beautiful morning, I had this gorgeous movement playing on my Sony CD Walkman. With the serene music playing in my earphones, I had the most stunningly clear view of the Matterhorn. It represented to this day one of the most eloquent 15 minutes of my entire life.

[manthasagittarius]

Who is directing this, what's the orchestra? This is a better and more inwardly contemplative reading than Previn's, which is the other one I have heard.

Yes, it has a very Mahlerian spirit under the unmistakably British vocabulary and the composer's own beloved preferences in orchestration and so forth -- it is reminiscent of the slow movement of Mahler's Sixth Symphony, especially for the lights and darks of the instrumentation.

[caroline20853]

I thought this was the most sublime piece of music in the world the first time I heard it, as a student at the Royal College of Music in the late 1970s. Deeply haunting and bittersweet. And an awesome performance from Handley and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Thank you for posting this gem.

[NonInflatable]

Those heart-rending descending notes from 10:49......unbelievably beautiful.....

[batosato]

I am a metal and rock lover and I only came across Sir Williams when I happened to heard this symphony in school in music class and by God am I in love with this piece, it has everything that a metal lover looks for, brilliant transition, mesmerizing music and out of this world sequencing. HAIL Vaughen Willaims HAIL

[YourGreatPotential]

@1970SWP: Oh, I did see your reply now. So cool, as I will be getting this for X-mas this week, along with 29 other wonderful VW CDs on the EMI label. I'm thrilled! Thanks again for posting.

[JaceXander]

@1970SWP It was incredible! Julian Lloyd-Webber played an Elgar Cello concerto but the Vaughan-Williams was saved until last. The interpretation was brilliant, especially for the Romanza. The Scherzo was played a little slower than most recordings you'll find, it was quite unique.

[1970SWP]

@TK42138 I'm really glad this video has had such an effect on you. VW is still working his magic :-)

If you ever get a chance, go hear this live, preferably in a church, cathedral or similar acoustic. It reaches out to something greater than we can conceive on this planet and this effect ignites and is directly experienced when heard in a building that was built for the same purpose :-)