The final volume in the RLPO/Andrew Manze Vaughan Williams symphony cycle contains ‘Sinfonia Antartica’ no.7 and his final enigmatic symphony, the Ninth.

The Seventh drew its inspiration from music RVW had composed for the film Scott of the Antarctic, though very little of that score actually made it to the symphony. This often misunderstood work is a true symphony that draws on themes from the film.

The composer headed each movement with a literary quotation and these are narrated on this recording by the distinguished actor Timothy West, following in the footsteps of Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson.

The Ninth Symphony dates from his final years and shows no trace of any creative decline. Vaughan Williams initially thought of a programme based on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbevilles but characteristically denied this. However, his manuscripts show otherwise.