This performance derives its allure mainly from the person of the conducting composer and is comparable in status to Mendelssohn's Matthäus. Impressed by Bach's work, Vaughan Williams wanted to reach the widest possible audience with the Matthäus. As a stage he used the annual Leith Hill Music Festival with a choir of 200 to 300 people. 'The bigger the choir, the more audience' was his reasoning.
For the sake of understanding, it was entirely in English and the biblical texts come straight from the familiar King James Bible. Vaughan Williams pointed out that Bach himself was not always satisfied with the orchestral apparatus at his disposal and that this composer was most honored when his work was performed on modern instruments. He also found the level of text and music below par here and there and so he deleted some parts. The listener was also not pleased to have to sit still for so long. This recording is a recording of the last concert that Vaughan Williams conducted: he died five months later. (RS)more
