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