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There
was a time...
A pictorial journey from
the collection of Ursula Vaughan Williams
With worldwide interest in the life and music of Ralph
Vaughan Williams increasing rapidly, this collection of largely
unpublished photographs of the composer, his friends and family
is timely. The photographs are taken from the collection of
Ursula Vaughan Williams. They provide fresh insights into the
composer in a way only pictures can do. By providing a section
on RVW's family and friends such as Cecil Sharp, RO Morris,
Maud Karpeles and Adeline, his first wife as well as fellow
composers such as Sibelius, Holst and Grainger, a rounded picture
is provided of RVW's extraordinary life.
152 pages. Illustrated
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Paradise
Remembered
Ursula Vaughan Williams
Ursula Vaughan Williams brings to her autobiography
the same evocative use of language, clarity of expression
and vivid imagery which distinguishes her poetry and novels.
Born in 1911 in Malta, her early life as the daughter of
an army officer took her to many varied locations both at
home and abroad. Marriage to Michael Wood, a Gunnery Instructor,
maintained her itinerant life style, described here with
insight and honesty. Her life was, however, to change irrevocably
after her first meeting with the English composer Ralph Vaughan
Williams in 1938. Their friendship, close artistic collaboration
and subsequent marriage in 1953 are described with candour,
humour and affection. It is a fascinating story, which describes
Ursula's contribution to Vaughan Williams' life and works
in the 20 years to his death in 1958. It was indeed, a paradise
remembered.
This is a genteel book, written with enormous charm and humour. The stories
can be priceless, such as the moment at the White House when Pat Nixon
for some reason seizes Ursula's free hand in a performance of VW's Serenade
to Music. "I was acutely embarrassed," writes Ursula, "for
I knew how long the Serenade is, and and she didn't, and 14 minutes is
too long to hold hands."
Michael White - The
Telegraph
To
read the full review.
234 pages. Illustrated
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The
Complete Poems of Ursula Vaughan Williams
Edited with an introduction
by Stephen Connock
Ursula Vaughan Williams began writing
poetry in 1921. Her first published collection
appeared in 1941 and was followed by two
other books, as well as novels. Paradise
Remembered, her autobiography, was published
by Albion Music Ltd in 2002.
In 1996 her poems were brought together in a book entilted the Collected
Poems of Ursula Vaughan Williams. Given the success of that volume, Ursula
allowed Stephen Connock access to a collection of unpublished poems, which
he has included in this edition.
The memorable short story, Fall of Leaf, is also included. Ursula Vaughan
Williams' work is distinguished by a stylish and subtle imagination and
a remarkable sense of atmosphere. It owes something to Yeats and to Hardy
but remains an individual voice of considerable importance in the twentieth
century.
444 pages.
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RVW
Society Journal
Back Issues
Click here
to see list
Poster with Blake imagery (a superb memento of the
125th anniversary) measures 28inches (711.2mm) by 23inches
(584.2mm)
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RVW
Discography
Stephen Connock
75 pages 1995
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Ralph's
People - The Ingrave Secret
Frank Dineen
This is a story about the meeting
between the composer and the 74 year old Charles Potiphar,
an Ingrave labourer. The old man sang a beautiful folk song
Bushes and Briars to RVW and the effect was overwhelming. It
was to influence his music forever and change his life.
Frank Dineen's book describes
the background to his meeting and explores the role of two
local women – Kate Bryan and Giorgiana (Locksie) Heatley.
With wonderful insights and plenty of illustrations, the book
is rich in Essex history. For all those interested in English
folk song, the life and music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and
in the social history of eastern England, this book will be
invaluable.
Stephen Connock - Chairman,
The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society
84 pages. Illustrated
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Ralph
Vaughan Williams in Perspective
Lewis Foreman
In this fascinating volume, Lewis Foreman has assembled
a team of experts to explore key isssues, at once both enhancing
enjoyment of the music and our understanding of the man.
These studies, first presented at the Vaughan Williams Seminar
held at the 1996 Reigate Summer Music Festival, cover a wide
and varied field. They include the evolution of British music
and the dissemination and reception of Vaughan Williams's
music on the one hand, and detailed studies of symphonies,
the Piano Concerto, folk song collecting modality and film
music on the other. The previously unknown movement of A
Sea Symphony called The
Steersman is printed for the first
time. VW's role as friend and teacher is illuminated with
particular reference to his women pupils, and his friendship
with the composer Gerald Finzi. Vaughan Williams is set in
his time by the editor's wide ranging overview.
Contributors include Jeremy
Dibble, Andrew Herbert, Stephen Lloyd, Anthony Payne,
Duncan Hinnels, Tony Kendall, John Huntley, Jenny
Doctor and Stephen Banfield.
Lewis Foreman
has for many years explored the music of the
early twentieth century, producing, among others,
books on Percy Grainger, Havergal Brian, Edmund
Rubbra and the standard biography of Sir Arnold
Bax. He is known for articles, reviews, concerts
and CD programme notes and broadcast talks.
As the Music Trustee of the Sir Arnold Bax
Trust he was the guiding hand behind the Chandos
CD recordings of Bax's music.
Stephen Connock - Chairman,
The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society
240 pages. Illustrated
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The
Collected Poems of Ursula Vaughan Williams
Ursula Vaughan Williams, who also writes as Ursula
Wood, has written sparingly, but always to great acclaim,
in both poetry and prose since the early 'forties. An accomplished
librettist, among the composers who have set her words to
music are Ralph Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Williamson, Elizabeth
Lutyens, Elizabeth Maconchy, Herbert Howells, Roger Steptoe
and Anthony Milner.
She began writing poetry at the age of ten. Her first published collection
appeared in 1927. While Ursula Vaughan Williams does not belong to any
school of poetry, the influence of certain writers can be detected in her
work. The impact of Yeats, for instance in her stylish and subtle imagery.
Thomas Hardy is frequently remembered, especially in the range of formal
structures adopted, in the flexible metres and in the evocative and atmospheric
tone. Over 200 poems are included. They deal with the big issues of life
- love, old age, war, jealousy, sadness, death, illness, the environment.
Her poetry appeals to musicians: it has been set by over 30 composers.
As Roger Steptoe put it:
"There is beauty to it. It is very sensitive.
She can capture moods and ideas in a few word or lines. Above all, the
words are evocative, and stimulate a musical response."
Stephen Connock -
Chairman, The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society
240 pages
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