Vaughan Williams: Piano Quintet/ Romance for viola & piano

Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote chamber music throughout his long creative life. The Piano Quintet in C minor uses the same rich instrumentation as Schubert’s ‘Trout’ Quintet, while the life enhancing Quintet in D major has an alluring wit and playfulness of its own. Vaughan Williams’s discovery of English folk song contributed greatly to his mature voice, the Six Studies introducing subtle elaborations on each of the themes, while the origins of the undated but expressive Romance remain a mystery. Formed in 2011 by some of Britain's most distinguished musicians, the London Soloists Ensemble have very quickly established themselves as a chamber group of superb quality. Appointed as 'Associate Ensemble' by St John's Smith Square in London, they began their first series of Sunday afternoon concerts at this prestigious venue in June 2013. They are joined for this recording by Chris West (double bass) and Tim Jackson (French horn).