Vaughan Williams: Essential Works for Beginners
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
On Wenlock Edge—Song Cycle
Symphony No. 2 “A London Symphony”
The Lark Ascending
Symphony No. 3 “A Pastoral Symphony”
Job: A Masque for Dancing
Symphony No. 7 “Sinfonia Antartica”
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You really put the 3rd symphony on the map for me when you called it "big." Despite its pastoral beauty, the gentleness, the great calm that he creates throughout the piece, it's that "massive power" underlying everything that I always hear and am almost unconsciously aware of. So to have you actually express that today was very satisfying, giving me a better, more conscious understanding of what I've been hearing all these years.
My favorite as well. First thing I heard was also the Third Symphony many years ago on NPR. Hooked ever since.
I first got to know RVW in high school, singing his brilliant arrangements of Rosetti's "Rest" and Whitman's "Roots and Leaves." Then, my freshman year in college I was fortunate to nab one of the solos in "Serenade to Music." At that point I was hooked, and immediately got the 1st Symphony (A Sea Symphony). I met the Tallis Fantasia and the Lark Ascending at the same time. After college I was fortunate to perform both Dona Nobis Pacem and Hodie. I remember trying to convince the conductor of the latter to do the Sea Symphony, but he wasn't a fan. He said that he thought audiences wouldn't go for RVW choral works every season…
I rather like the oboe concerto and his works for solo piano, but I am still discovering his songs for solo singers. Just a week or so ago I finally got to hear "Four Last Songs" and fell instantly in love with them. The man had a genius for textures and layers -even in very simple pieces.
Although I live in Oregon, I’ve been a member of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society for many years, and hearing your praise for his magnificent music never fails to delight me. Cheers, good sir!
I appreciate that you expanded my awareness of RVW's works. I have been particularly grateful for Job: A Masque for Dancing. Love it!
OK, since we're enjoined from mentioning any other RVW works, I promise I won't mention the symphony that Arthur Benjamin, Walton, and Bax all thought was the greatest symphony since Beethoven, and the one that ends with a bang instead of a whimper, the 4th symphony. Even though it's the one that starts playing in my head when I think of his symphonies, I promise I won't bring it up.
A great selection, Dave. For years I harboured a deep prejudice against "British" music, probably because of my revulsion at the waves of parochialism that periodically afflicts this country. I boycotted records & concerts where Elgar, RVW, Walton etc featured. How mad I was! Now I have started growing up (I'm only 65) I'm listening anew to this marvellous repertoire, not least the fantastic symphonies, occasional & choral music of RVW!
1. Not an easy selection to make due to both the abundance and quality of RVW's oeuvre, but I concur.
2. Which version of the Second Symphony or both? Before her death earlier in this century, RVW's widow Ursula gave Richard Hickox permission to re-premiere the original longer (unofficial) version. As for as I'm concerned, the more music there is of RVW in a particular piece, the better.
3. If these seven works are the beginner's essentials, then I say the mature listener's essentials would include his symphonies' 4, 5 & 6 that are without any specific program, but each in their own way arriving at formal perfection.
Mildred as absolutely stolen my heart 😊
Sad you left out the Tuba Concerto 😢
I just ADORE Vaughn Williams…your choices are on point!!! Greetings to all😊
RVW's arrangements of English folk tunes are right up there with Britten's. Well worth seeking out an old recording by Robert Tear which has made me weep and laugh for 40 years.
It's hard to get beyond the biography written by his wife Ursula, but a friend (the daughter of RWV's music editor at the OUP) who knew him in her youth, remembers him as a kind chap with a twinkle in his eye. I always prefer my musical favourites to be decent people 😊
I haven’t played on wenlock edge in years I must pull out the lp tonight
The first piece I heard from RVW was Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. I was out of school, and I was searching through YT. Eventually, I saw this piece. Knowing that it lasted 15 minutes, I decided to listen to it—little did I know how glorious the first note would be. Thank you for this list!!
PS: Now I’m performing his folk song suite in the district honor band, I love playing it so much!
My favorite joke at the expense of the English pastoralists is Glenn Gould’s written quip that “Britannia waives the rules.”
That joke got me resistant to them fifteen years ago, but by now I’ve listened to the standard Delius and Elgar and am loving hearing RVW’s symphony cycle for the first time now. What a great school and wonderful contribution to music!
Thanks again for the videos, Dave!
-Charles
Dave, is Finster named after Howard Finster, or the character in “Usual Suspects,” or neither?
Hi Dave, I could not agree with you more. RVW rocks! Love his music. The oboe concerto is a ‘hidden gem’. HOWEVER… 2nd to Sir Arthur Sullivan? I think not. 2nd to Benjamin Britten perhaps… love your work. Gregg in Australia.
I asked myself the question – why doesn't my hometown, big-city orchestra ever play Vaughan Williams? The only answer I could come up with was "economics". They are petrified VW won't sell enough tickets. So, we'll get another "Ein Heldenleben" instead.
I’d love one of these videos for Martinu, there’s just so much stuff and I love so much of it.
Thanks David and Mildred for this video on Vaughan Williams for beginners. I first discovered RVW via a talk back show in Australia in the 1980's. The presenter, John Tingle played the opening piece from the Wasps and I was hooked ! John would say his boss at the radio station would not be pleased with him playing classical music, however I have him to thank for an incredible journey to this day. I was even a member of the Vaughan Williams Society for a number of years. I agree with all the pieces you mention, however The Lark Ascending hasn't been overplayed here, in fact for me, it is rather special, especially when listening to it on the top of a mountain in the Australian Outback at sunset. There is nothing better ! My only criticism of the piece is that the first half of it, slightly overshadows the 2nd half. For beginners, I might also include The Wasps written for the play, The Aristophanes, and the tone poem: In the Fen Country. I thoroughly agree with you including Symphony No. 2, A London Symphony, however the second movement has me way out of the city in a very peaceful though almost spiritual setting. Mildred looks like very thoughtful and bright puss !
It’s wonderful and deeply gratifying to see RVWs glorious music fully appreciated outside the UK.
His symphony number six (first movement) was one of my set works for O level music in 1978/9. I loved that piece and have loved his work ever since. Actually , we had some great pieces to study that year- we also studied Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet and Beethoven’s fifth (first movement). The last one surprised me because as a kid I always hummed it as triplet quavers at the start and it was only when I saw the score I realised that they were straight and picked up on the second half of the third beat. Well, you live and learn😊. As a side note- I’m not keen on Beethoven, I’m ashamed to say…
I have discovered RVW only because of your channel and I am very grateful to you for this. He is really major 20th century composer kept in secret and I just don't know why