Ralph Vaughan Williams -- surely one of the great symphonists of the twentieth century and certainly the greatest English composer since Purcell -- began his first symphony when he was 31 and completed it when he was 37. Thankfully, he lived another 49 years and was able to complete another eight symphonies, all of which were immeasurably better than his first. A Sea Symphony is a vast and formless setting of Walt Whitman for soloists, chorus, and orchestra that cast the American poet's verse upon the waters only to watch them sink like the Titanic. In this 2002 Naxos super audio recording by
Paul Daniel leading the
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and
Chorus, A Sea Symphony sinks in great style and stunning sound, but it still goes down with all hands. The
Bournemouth's performance is sure, seasoned, and strong and
Daniel's interpretation is powerful, passionate, and persuasive, but they still cannot hold the music together.
Joan Rodgers is a heartwarming soprano and
Christopher Maltman is a full-throated baritone, but they still cannot keep the symphony afloat. Naxos' super-audio sound is so real the listener can feel the spray from the waves, but it only makes the wreck of the symphony all that much more awful. If you're looking for a more seaworthy interpretation, try
Adrian Boult's 1954 recording, but be forewarned: even good Captain
Boult cannot bring A Sea Symphony safely to harbor.