Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958) was an English composer. His works include operas, ballets, chamber music, secular and religious vocal pieces and orchestral compositions including nine symphonies, written over a period of sixty years. Strongly influenced by Tudor music and English folk-song, his output marked a decisive break in British music from its German-dominated style of the 19th century (from Wiki). He is generally regarded as one of the best English composers.
As with all posts dedicated to one composer, I will select my 12 favourite works, listed in chronological order. All depicted CD's are from my own collection. Text is sometimes copied from the Wikipedia entries.
In the Fen Country (1904/1907)
In the Fen Country is an orchestral tone poem - it is Vaughan Williams' earliest composition not to be withdrawn. The piece is a symphonic impression, meant to evoke feelings of traversing East Anglia's often bleak Fen landscape. The version shown above is by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Bryden Thomson on a Chandos CD.
On Wenlock Edge (1909)
On Wenlock Edge is a song cycle for tenor, piano and string quartet, comprising settings of six poems from A. E. Housman's 1896 collection A Shropshire Lad. It was later orchestrated by the composer. For me this is the second best song cycle originating on the British isles (the first would be Warlock's The Curlew from the same CD). The version shown above is by Ian Partridge and The Music Group of London on an EMI CD.
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (1910)
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, also known as the Tallis Fantasia, is a one-movement work for string orchestra. The theme is by the 16th-century English composer Thomas Tallis. It is widely regarded as one of the best works of Vaughan Williams'(and indeed of British classical music in general). The version shown above is by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Haitink on an EMI CD.
 |
Phantasy Quintet (1912)
The Phantasy Quintet is a string quintet for 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello. This early work is severely underrated in my opinion (it does not even have a Wikipedia page). To my taste it is one of the most stunning string quintets of the 20th century. The version shown above is by the Nash Ensemble on a Hyperion CD.
Symphony 2 or A London Symphony (1913/1933)
The second symphony has quite a history. The numbering was added later - his first three symphonies were initially unnumbered, but when he named the next one Symphony No. 4, it was of course logical to number the first three as well. It was composed in 1913, in four movements, inspired by the city of London. The original score was lost and subsequently reconstructed. Vaughan Williams continued revisions of the work into its final definitive form in 1933, the one that is played most frequently. The version shown above is by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Andre Previn on a Telarc CD.
The Lark Ascending (1914/1921)
The Lark Ascending is a short, single-movement work for violin and orchestra, inspired by the 1881 poem of the same name by the English writer George Meredith. It was originally for violin and piano, completed in 1914, but not performed until 1920. The composer reworked it for solo violin and orchestra after the First World War. This version, in which the work is chiefly known, was first performed in 1921. It is subtitled "A Romance", a term that Vaughan Williams favoured for contemplative slow music. It may be the best known work of Vaughan Williams. The version shown above is bySarah Chang and London Philharmonic under Bernard Haitink on an EMI CD.
Symphony 3 or A Pastoral Symphony (1922)
Like the London Symphony, the Pastoral got its number only in hindsight. It has been called a subtly beautiful elegy for the dead of World War I and a meditation on the sounds of peace. It consists of four movements, all of them slow (in the words of the composer himself), with a wordless soprano contribution in the final movement. The version shown above is by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Haitink, with Amanda Roocroft, on an EMI CD (which I have as part of the box with all RVW symphonies by Haitink).
Suite for Viola and Orchestra (1934)
The Suite for Viola and (Small) Orchestra is a concertante work in eight movements. Although its composition may be a bit too loose for the composer to call it a concerto, it is more rewarding than many viola concertos. The version shown above is by Lawrence Power and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Martyn Brabbins on a Hyperion CD.
Symphony No. 5 in D major (1938–43)
The fifth symphony is widely seen as his best symphony. Not only would I agree with that, I would even consider it Vaughan Williams' best work, and the best symphony by a British composer. The version shown above is by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under Martin Yates on a Dutton Epoch CD.
|
String Quartet No. 2 in A minor (1944)
The second string quartet is one of the best to come from the British Isles in my opinion. The work
arose from Vaughan Williams’s friendship with the viola player Jean Stewart, and appropriately the viola gets a more important role than usually in string quartets. A brilliant work. The version shown above is by the Nash Ensemble on a Hyperion CD.
arose from Vaughan Williams’s friendship with the viola player Jean Stewart, and appropriately the viola gets a more important role than usually in string quartets. A brilliant work. The version shown above is by the Nash Ensemble on a Hyperion CD.
Oboe Concerto (1944)
The Concerto in A minor for Oboe and Strings was written for the oboist Léon Goossens, to whom the score is dedicated. It is widely seen as the best of Vaughan Williams' concertos, and possibly the best ever composed for this instrument (at least I think so). The version shown above is by David Theodore and the London Symphony Orchestra under Bryden Thomson on a Chandos CD.
Symphony 7 or Sinfonia Antartica (1952)
Sinfonia antartica ("Antarctic Symphony") is the Italian title given by Ralph Vaughan Williams to his seventh symphony, first performed in 1953. It drew on incidental music he had written for the 1948 film Scott of the Antarctic. It is unlike any of his other symphonies, and draws different responses from different listeners. I think it is brilliant, one of his very best works. The version shown above is by the London Symphony Orchestra under Bryden Thomson with Catherine Bott on a Chandos CD.
Copyright statement: posting lower quality album covers is deemed fair use.
