On this new album from LSO Live, Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in a pair of evocative British works—Ralph Vaughan Williams's expansive Symphony No 1, A Sea Symphony and Elizabeth Maconchy's dream-like Nocturne for Orchestra.

Premiered in 1910, Vaughan Williams' Symphony No 1 was the first choral symphony of its kind by a British composer. This blazing celebration of the sea transforms text from Walt Whitman's visionary poetry into an epic orchestral voyage. Brought to life by star soloists Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha and Will Liverman, alongside the London Symphony Chorus and the LSO, this epic performance is another magnificent addition to Pappano's ongoing Vaughan Williams symphony cycle.

Composed in 1950, Maconchy's Nocturne for Orchestra depicts a meditative yet unsettling night under a journeying moon. Despite the pastoral influence of her formative teacher Vaughan Williams, this atmospheric miniature more closely reflects the composer's interest in central European modernism. While not often performed, the shimmering melodies and mysterious harmonies of Nocturne for Orchestra create a thought-provoking and memorable work.

Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra bring two American masterworks to life in this new recording from LSO Live. Pappano brings out the rich colours and emotional depths of Copland’s Symphony No 3 and Walker’s Sinfonia No 5, celebrating the indomitable spirit of the music and the enduring legacy of these pivotal composers.

Composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, Elizabeth Maconchy
Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano
Performers London Symphony Orchestra, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Will Liverman, London Symphony Chorus

Ralph Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony "Symphony No. 1"
1. Ia. A Song For All Seas, All Ships. Moderato maestoso: Behold, The Sea Itself
2. Ib. A Song For All Seas, All Ships. Allegro - Andante: Today A Rude Brief Recitative, Of Ships Sailing The Seas
3. Ic. A Song For All Seas, All Ships. Moderato - Molto tranquillo: Flaunt Out O Sea Your Separate Flags Of Nations!
4. Id. A Song For All Seas, All Ships. Andante - Animato: Token Of All Brave Captains
5. Ie. A Song For All Seas, All Ships. Largamente: A Pennant Universal
6. IIa. On The Beach At Night Alone. Largo sostenuto: On The Beach At Night Alone
7. IIb. On The Beach At Night Alone. Poco meno mosso: A Vast Similitude Interlocks All
8. III. Scherzo - The Waves. Allegro brillante: After The Sea-ship, After The Whistling Winds
9. IVa. The Explorers. Grave e molto adagio: O Vast Rondure, Swimming In Space
10. IVb. The Explorers. Andante con moto: Down From The Gardens Of Asia Descending
11. IVc. The Explorers. Allegro animato - Andante tranquillo - Largamente: O We Can Wait No Longer
12. IVd. The Explorers. Più lento: O Thou Transcendent
13. IVe. The Explorers. Allegro: Greater Than Stars Or Suns
14. IVf. The Explorers. Più lento - Allegro agitato - Animato: Sail Forth
15. IVg. The Explorers. Molto adagio e tranquillo: O My Brave Soul!

Elizbeth Maconchy: Nocturne for Orchestra
16. Nocturne for Orchestra

Release Date 16 October 2026
LSO0910 | 0822231191025
LSO0910-D | 0822231191063

Producer Stephen Johns
Engineers Jonathan Stokes for Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 9 & 12 February 2026 in the Barbican Hall, London

Digital booklet in English, French and German

ALAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Apple devices (MacOS and iOS)
FLAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - Stereo 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Stereo & 5.1 multi-channel - Compatible with all CD players