"The Pilgrim"s Progress from this world to that which is to come: Delivered under the similitude of a dream..." So begins John Gielgud"s narration--and his subsequent reading of the role of Christian--in this superb adaptation of Vaughan Williams"s radio play, based on scenes from John Bunyan"s classic allegory The Pilgrim"s Progress. Different from the composer"s later opera, this work fares well on disc, fueled by dramatic characterizations and affecting music. --David Vernier