A new symphonic tour-de-force from Michael Stern, the son of famed violinist Isaac Stern, and the Kansas City Symphony! This colorful, beloved English music composed by Edward Elgar and Vaughan Williams has been captured by Grammy Award winning engineer Prof. Keith O. Johnson and produced by Grammy Award winner David Frost.

• Limited Edition
• Reference Mastercuts
• 45rpm cut for ultimate sound quality
• 2LP 200 Gram Audiophile Virgin Vinyl
• Half-speed mastered by Paul Stubblebine
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings QRP
• Deluxe gatefold cover

"Do not, I mean this absolutely, let this one pass you by. It is a treat at all levels, and just you wait till you hear the string section’s technical finesse and execution throughout." - Harry Pearson, HPSoundings

"In its openhearted commitment to letting Elgar's orchestration serve as the interpretative guide, and so moving mostly at a leasirely pace where everything that's going can be properly heard, this performance could also serve as any person's guide to the instruments of the orchestra...It's one of those satisfying instances where the recording engineer has caught perfectly the sound and sense of being there...with the sheer presence and weight that real sound possesses." - Laurence Vittes, Gramophone

"This new recording engineered by Keith Johnson is typical of the Professor's natural sound, accorded transparency and depth. He records the Kansas City Symphony beautifully - Elgar's very particular orchestration and dynamic markings have not been captured better on record. The Wasps, especially the fantastic overture, is underrated Vaughan Williams." - Anthony Kershaw, Audiophilia

The Kansas City Symphony garnered tremendous critical acclaim for their first project on Reference Recordings, incidental music for The Tempest by Sullivan and Sibelius. Their second release on RR, Britten's Orchestra, received a Grammy for Best Surround Sound for both the engineer and producer, as well as rave reviews everywhere!

RR was thrilled to work again with conductor Michael Stern, the son of famed violinist Isaac Stern. Now in his eighth season as music director, the Kansas City Symphony has been much praised for its remarkable artistic growth and development since his tenure began. He is also the founder of the Iris Chamber Orchestra in Memphis, Tennessee, and in addition to RR, has recorded for Sony, Hyperion, Denon, Arabesque and Naxos.

Producer David Frost has won Grammy awards in 2005, 2009 and 2011 for Classical Producer of the Year. He has produced a large roster of stars and Grammy-winning titles. RR was most honored to work with him again on this project.

Track Listing:

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
The Wasps - Aristophanic Suite

LP 1 Side A
1. Overture
2. Entra'acte, molto moderato
3. March Past of the Kitchen Utensils

LP 1 Side B
1. Entr'acte, andante
2. Ballet and Final Tableau

3. Fantasia on "Greensleeves"

Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Variations on an Original Theme "Enigma, Op. 36

LP 2 Side C
1. Variations 1-9

LP 2 Side D
1. Variations 10-13
2. Variation 14 - Finale

Click here to listen to samples on AllMusic.com ♫