Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Ralph Vaughan
Williams


Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of Britain’s most loved composers,
and best-known symphonists, writing nine symphonies which span
almost fifty years of his career. These works evoke a wide range
of moods, each creating its own unique world, from his first
stormy choral symphony, through the aggressive and the tranquil,
to his final enigmatic, haunting Ninth. This week, Donald Macleod
delves into the life and work of Vaughan Williams - a man who
helped forge a new identity for English music in the 20th Century
- paying special attention to the symphonies.


Music Featured:


The Robin’s Nest Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Prayer to
the Father of Heaven A Cambridge Mass (Credo : Credo in Unum
Deum) A London Symphony (original 1913 version) (IV. Andante con
moto) Linden Lea Bushes and Briars God that madest heaven and
earth The Lark Ascending (original piano and violin version)
Norfolk Rhapsody No 1 On Wenlock Edge (On Bredon Hill) A Sea
Symphony (Scherzo: The Waves) Dona Nobis Pacem - Reconciliation
Symphony No 3, “A Pastoral Symphony” (II. Lento moderato) English
Folk Song Suite (III. March, "Folk Songs from Somerset") Job
(Introduction; Sarabande of the Sons of God; Epilogue) Music for
the film 49th Parallel (Prelude (closing titles)) Symphony No 6
(Epilogue) Romance Four Last Songs (Tired) Flos Campi (VI. Pone
me ut signaculum super cor tuum) Symphony No 5 (IV. Passacaglia)
String Quartet No 2 (II. Romance) Toward the Unknown Region Come
down O Love Divine (Down Ampney) Sinfonia Antartica (Intermezzo
(with introductory lines)) Hodie (This Day) - No Sad Thought His
Soul Affright Songs of Travel (Nos 1, 6 & 9) Symphony No 9
(IV. Andante tranquillo) Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Ralph Vaughan Williams
(1872-1958) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000s1kx


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z