Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod introduces music by Vaughan Williams for the Queen's coronation in 1953 and two works written for instruments which rarely take a starring role in the concert Hall.

Celebrating British Music: As the most important figure in British music, it was natural Vaughan Williams would be asked to provide some of the music for the coronation in 1953. The same year, the symphony inspired by his most popular film score for Scott of the Antarctic was premiered to great acclaim. Donald Macleod introduces part of that evocative work in which he controversially added a solo soprano and wordless chorus to his orchestral palette, plus two concert works written for unusual solo instruments - the bass tuba and the harmonica.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    O taste and see - motet for chorus and organ

    Choir: Finzi Singers. Conductor: Paul Spicer.
    • Chandos: CHAN9425.
    • Chandos.
    • 10.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Sinfonia Antarctica -1st mvt

    Orchestra: London S O.. Singer: Heather Harper. Choir: Ambrosian Singers. Conductor: André Previn. Narrator: Ralph Richardson.
    • RCA:82876557082.
    • RCA.
    • 1.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Romance in D flat major for harmonica, strings and piano

    Conductor: Malcolm Sargent. Performer: Eric Gritton. Performer: Larry Adler. Orchestra: ´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra.
    • EMI : CZS 5-74782 2.
    • EMI.
    • 11.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Sonata in A minor for violin and piano

    Performer: Lydia Mordkovitch. Performer: Julian Milford.
    • IMP: 30366 00132.
    • IMP.
    • 8.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Tuba Concerto in F minor

    Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Conductor: Gavin Sutherland. Performer: James Gourlay.
    • NAXOS : 8-557754.
    • NAXOS.
    • 7.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Silence and music

    Director: Marcus Creed. Choir: Stuttgart Vocal Ensemble.
    • Hanssler: HAEN93250.
    • Hanssler.
    • 9.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 6 Jun 2013 12:00
  • Thu 6 Jun 2013 18:30
  • Thu 14 Aug 2014 18:30

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.