(5 out of 5 stars) I fell asleep at a performance of Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony some years ago. It is a LONG piece. I would not recommend it as a first Vaughan Williams purchase, unless you are a particular fan of choral music. On the other hand, I couldn t ignore it. Robert Shaw (America s Mr. Choral Music ) described this symphony on the radio as the most beautiful piece of choral music written in the 20th century . Wow! That covers 100 years, you know. And I deeply enjoy other pieces by RVW, including his Four Hymns and Five Mystical Songs. So I bought this CD and now, instead of listening to this 70-minute symphony in one very long sweep, I listen to songs and sections.