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A Sea Symphony
Classical · 2018

A Sea Symphony

Ralph Vaughan Williams

A monumental choral symphony inspired by Walt Whitman's poetry. Experience vast orchestral soundscapes and powerful vocal narratives.

September 28, 2018 · His Master's Voice

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Ralph Vaughan Williams's 'A Sea Symphony' is an immersive journey into the vastness of the ocean and the human spirit, brought to life with a commanding 2018 recording. It's a work of immense scale, where the orchestra swells and recedes like the tides, and the choir acts as a collective voice, articulating the profound philosophical inquiries of Walt Whitman's poetry. The sound is rich and expansive, capturing every nuance of the intricate orchestral textures and the powerful, unified vocal performances, making for a truly enveloping listening experience.

Moments Worth Listening For
The opening fanfare of the first movement, 'A Song for All Seas, All Ships,' immediately establishing the vast, maritime scale with full orchestra and choir.
The ethereal, almost whispered choral passages in the second movement, 'On the Beach at Night, Alone,' creating a profound sense of cosmic solitude.
The soaring, triumphant climax of the third movement, 'The Explorers,' where the choir and orchestra reach a powerful, exhilarating peak of discovery.
The final, fading choral whispers of 'O Soul, Thou Pleasest Me,' as the symphony resolves into a profound, contemplative silence, leaving a lasting impression of spiritual journey.
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does A Sea Symphony sound next to the rest of Ralph Vaughan Williams's catalogue?

Ocean+4.0σ

Ocean saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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