大象传媒

Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of Britain鈥檚 most-loved composers, and best-known symphonists, writing nine symphonies that span almost 50 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. Over the course of 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. In Monday鈥檚 episode, Donald examines Vaughan Williams鈥檚 well-to-do background, and how that contrasted with the inauspicious musical beginnings of a composer who would go on to become the torchbearer for British music. Donald also explores the composer鈥檚 relationship with England鈥檚 capital city, hearing from his 鈥淎 London Symphony鈥�, a work that Vaughan Williams said, should really be called 鈥淪ymphony by a Londoner鈥�.

The Robin鈥檚 Nest
Frank Ericson (piano)

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor)

Prayer to the Father of Heaven
Choir of St John鈥檚 College, Cambridge
Andrew Nethsingha (director)

A Cambridge Mass - Credo : Credo in Unum Deum
Olivia Robinson (soprano)
Rebecca Lodge (contralto)
Christopher Bowen (tenor)
Edward Price (baritone)
Bach Choir
New Queen's Hall Orchestra
Alan Tongue (conductor)
Martin Ennis (organ)

A London Symphony (original 1913 version) - IV. Andante con moto
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Hickox (conductor)

Linden Lea
David John Pike (baritone)
Isabelle Tr眉b (piano)

Producer: Sam Phillips