Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony – Usher Hall

As part of the London Symphony Orchestra residency with the Edinburgh International Festival, A Sea Symphony drew a sold-out crowd to the Usher Hall. This landmark performance brought together the orchestra led by Sir Antonio Pappano with sonic leviathan Edinburgh Festival Chorus, for a night of sweeping musical ambition and deeply human emotional resonance.

The two hours and five minutes including one interval performances commenced with an eight-minute glorious Nocturne that set an atmosphere of restrained anticipation. This was followed by a ten-minute violin solo from Vilde Frang, whose music instantly won over the hearts of the audience. She put out stunning technical accuracy coupled with warmth to secure a three-minute ovation—an initial highlight which promised much more magic ahead.

As A Sea Symphony itself came into action, Pappano’s artistry was fully displayed. His art of juggling the vast orchestral resources was such that each section of the orchestra came into its moment without overwhelming the whole. Intervals of savage beauty emerged naturally, the score’s bright, alive, and colorate strands being sewn into tapestry of power and nuances. He succeeded in teased out the piece’s drama without sacrificing its emotional depth, from the victorious fanfares to the more contemplative, lyrical passages.

The Edinburgh Festival Chorus of 150 and celebrating their 60th anniversary was nothing short of sublime. Under the baton of James Grossmith, their tone was both disciplined and fervent, capturing at one moment the majesty of the sea and at another the intimacy of Vaughan Williams’s poetic vision.

The two soloists, baritone Will Liverman and soprano Natalya Romaniw, added even greater depth. Romaniw’s voice soared easily over the orchestra with both clarity and emotional force, and Liverman’s warm, resonant baritone grounded the work’s reflective passages. Both of them brought the symphony’s sweeping canvas to life with humanity and personal connection.

As the performance unfolded, the union of orchestra, choir, and soloists increased in intensity, carrying the audience on a journey that was spacious as well as intimate. The hall by the last pages pulsed with a collective sense of awe—a testament to the combined artistry on stage.

In all, a triumph for all concerned: Pappano’s sensitive but authoritative direction, the orchestra’s precision, the chorus’s fervent singing, and the soloists’ warm-toppled contributions. A performance worthy of Vaughan Williams’s vision and indeed of the Festival’s orchestral programming overall, which left the listeners not just satisfied but deeply moved.

Reviewer: Saira Kunjuvalappil (Saira ks)

Reviewed: 14th August 2025

North West End UK Rating: