The sea was a popular theme in classical music at the beginning of the last century. The most famous example is Debussy's La Mer. But Elgars Sea Pictures, Frank Bridge's The Sea and Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony also belong to this category of symphonic seascapes. Especially in Vaughan Williams' symphony (for soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra) the tone is heroic and optimistic: the sea as
… the symbol of an all-encompassing brotherhood. It was an optimism that lasted not long after the sinking of the Titanic and the outbreak of the First World War. However, the music is no less, just listen to the overwhelming choral input: Behold, the sea itself. Mark Elder is a master of this British choral repertoire. The Guardian was full of praise for this live recorded concert. ' This was Sir Mark Elder's first time conducting this work. Which makes his performance as controlled as it is ecstatic all the more impressive, 'according to The Guardian. (HJ)more
