Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 4 in F minor

This page lists all recordings of Symphony No. 4 in F minor, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) on CD. Generally, more recent CDs are listed first, but with priority given to items that are in stock.

The Fourth Symphony marks a significant change of Vaughan Williams’ style from the preceding symphonies, with a harsher and more dissonant harmonic style. This new style does not detract from an overall boisterous and tempestuous mood.

As the symphony was completed in 1934, some commentators interpreted it as a reflection of an increasingly dangerous international situation, an interpretation which Vaughan Williams vigorously refuted.

It has been said that the symphony even contains elements of self-portraiture, with Vaughan Williams’ “outbursts of temper… his gusty humour and ribaldry” appearing between the formal processes and orchestral discords that he was experimenting with.

Recommendations

Gramophone Magazine

Disc of the Month
December 2004

Penguin Guide

Rosette

Penguin Guide

Rosette

Penguin Guide

Rosette

All recordings

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Vaughan Williams:

Symphony No. 4 in F minor

Mass in G minor

Richard Hickox Singers

Six songs to be sung in the time of war

London Symphony Chorus

London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox

Penguin Guide

Rosette Winner

Chandos - CHAN9984

(CD)

$16.99

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Vaughan Williams:

Symphony No. 3 'A Pastoral Symphony'

Symphony No. 4 in F minor

English Folk Song Suite

Alison Barlow

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley

Building a Library

Budget Choice - May 2005

EMI Classics for Pleasure - 5753102

(CD)

$7.99

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Vaughan Williams - Symphonies Nos. 4-6

Vaughan Williams:

The Wasps Overture

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Constantin Silvestri

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Constantin Silvestri

Oboe Concerto in A minor

John Williams (oboe)

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Berglund

Symphony No. 4 in F minor

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Paavo Berglund

Symphony No. 5 in D major

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson

Symphony No. 6 in E minor

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Berglund

EMI British Composers - 2161462

(CD - 2 discs)

$10.99

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days.

Sir Malcolm Sargent

Sibelius:	Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63
Vaughan Williams:	Symphony No. 4 in F minor

BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent

Recorded: Royal Albert Hall, London, 16 August 1963 (Vaughan Williams), Royal Albert Hall, London, 9 September 1965 (Sibelius)

“With clear, involving recordings these are enjoyable if not first-rank performances.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2008 ****

“The nickname "Flash Harry" may have stuck but there's absolutely nothing showy about Sargent's 1963 Proms account of Vaughan Williams's bracing Fourth Symphony. Indeed, it's the discriminating musicality of Sir Malcolm's impressively clear-sighted conception that impresses most. Sargent was a devoted Sibelian... and his cannily paced, shrewdly observant reading of the Fourth displays a big-hearted honesty that outweighs any minor imperfections or audience distractions along the journey.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2008

BBC Legends - Conductors - BBCL42372

(CD)

$14.49

Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days.