 |
Ralph Vaughan
Williams Concerts in 2010 |
This
page is intended to keep members informed of concerts featuring
the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and will be updated at regular
intervals. Please note: The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society relies
on its information from outside sources and is not responsible
for for any changes in schedules or errors in information.
Updated
9th March 2010
If you would like your concert listed here or wish to comment
please E-mail us at:
RVW Concerts
It really helps if you can send your concert details in the
same format as is used on this web site. |
|
  Begun
in 1906 and completed in 1909, On
Wenlock Edge is based on six of Houseman's poems from A
Shropshire Lad (published in 1896) and from which VW
crafted one of the finest English song cycles ever written.
On Wenlock Edge, From far from eve
and morning, Is my team ploughing? O when I was in love with
you, Bredon Hill, Clun.
The wonderfully atmospheric and evocative outdoor effects can undoubtedly be
attributed to the influence of Ravel (above) with whom VW had just spent three
months studying in Paris. Although VW admitted to having had a "bad attack
of French fever" the song cycle is nevertheless distinctly VW.
VW's start with Ravel was patchy but the two became great friends. RVW said later "He
showed me how to orchestrate in points of colour rather than in lines." Ravel
was to became a visitor of the Vaughan Williams's at their house in Cheyne Walk
in Chelsea and when in Paris he busied himself on behalf of VW to have his work
heard. Later when some of VW's work was accepted at an important concert in Paris
in which Faure was also performing, Ravel offered to play the piano part. Ravel
wrote in March 1908 "...I will do my utmost to arrange a performance of
the work of a pupil of whom I am proud.." True to his word, in February
1912, Ravel played the piano part in On Wenlock Edge,
a concert which VW attended.
(Above) Vaughan Williams with Frederick Grinke rehearsing The
Lark Ascending in Gloucester Catherdral. Written in 1914 and revised in
1920. The first London performance was conducted by Sir Adrian Boult with Marie
Hall as the soloist to whom the work was dedicated. The piece takes its name
from the title of a poem by George Meredith (1828-1909). See the superb BBC
Radio 3 web site for an audio exploration. |
JANUARY
7 & 10
Los Angeles, USA – Walt
Disney Concert Hall
Symphony No. 2 'A London
Symphony'
Brahms Piano Concerto No 2
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey (conductor)
Andre Watts (piano)
web
site
JANUARY 14
Cambridge University Music Club - An
Evening of Vocal Chamber Music
On Wenlock Edge
First half: Songs for voice, viola or violin, and piano by
Brahms, Bridge and Tchaikovsky
Fiona Mackay (mezzo/alto)
Helen Roche (viola/violin)
Michael Waldron (piano)
Second half: Two song-cycles for piano quintet and voice
Ralph Vaughan Williams On Wenlock
Edge
Oliver Rudland Yorkshire Songs
The Kallista Quintet
Matthew Sandy (tenor)
Christopher Dollins (baritone)
JANUARI 15
Utrecht, Vredenburg Leidsche Rijn
Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
Radio Filharmonisch Orkest
Edward Gardner (dirigent)
Adès Tevot (Nederlandse
première)
Brahms Symfonie nr. 1
web
site
JANUARY 17,
Ely Cathedral
Sinfonia of Cambridge,
Thirtieth anniversary concert
Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Symphony No. 5
Also: Richard Strauss - Four last
Songs
Conductor Graham Ross
Soloist: Rebecca Evans soprano
7.30 p.m.
Tickets £18, £15 and £5 (restricted view)
available: https://tickets.elycathedral.org/
For details about this or any other event please contact:
Ely Cathedral Box Office on 01353 660349 (Mon-Fri 11am-3pm)
or email: box.office@cathedral.ely.anglican.org
web
site
JANUARY 20 & 23
Birmingham – Symphony Hall
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
James MacMillan Epiclesis
Britten Lachrymae
Elgar 'Enigma' Variations
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner (conductor)
Alison Balsom (trumpet)
Christopher Yates (viola)
JANUARY 22
Sheffield - City Hall
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
James MacMillan Epiclesis
Britten Lachrymae
Elgar 'Enigma’ Variations
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner (conductor)
Alison Balsom (trumpet)
Christopher Yates (viola)
JANUARY 23
Durham Cathedral
A Sea Symphony
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Serenade to Music
Durham Choral Society and orchestra
Conductor Richard Brice
Soloists - Sally Harrison (soprano)
Alexander Robin Baker (Baritone)
19.30
Tickets: £6 - £16 Available on door
web
site
JANUARY 23
Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral Holocaust Day Concert
Dona Nobis Pacem
Karl Jenkins Choral suite from
'The Armed Man'
Julius Reubke Psalm for organ
Mark Dancer (organ)
Cartrine Kirkman (soprano)
Portsmouth Festival Choir
Andrew Cleary (conductor)
19:30
web
site
JANUARY 24
London, UK, Kings Place
On Wenlock Edge
Gurney Ludlow & Teme
Delius Late Swallows
Bliss Elegaic Sonnet
James Gilcrist (Tenor)
Anna Tilbrook (piano)
The Fitzwilliam Quartet
JANUARY 28, 29 & 30
Atlanta, USA - Symphony Hall Woodruff Arts Center
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Golijov Youth Without Suite
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano (conductor)
JANUARY 29
Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps
Golijov: Youth Without Youth: Suite
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Ensemble: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Robert Spano
JANUARY 30
Kingston Parish Church, Kingston Upon Thames, England
Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus
London Mozart Players, Tiffin Boys' Choir,
Britten: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31
Andrew Staples (Tenor)
Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48
Andrew Staples (Tenor); Gareth John (Baritone)
JANUARY 30
Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps
Golijov: Youth Without Youth: Suite
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Ensemble: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Robert Spano
JANUARY 30
Saenger Theater, Biloxi, Mississippi
Symphony no 2 'London'
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Marches (5), Op. 39
Harvey: Concerto antico
Nicholas Ciraldo (Guitar)
Gulf Coast Symphony
Gulf Coast Symphony
Conductor (John W. Strickler)
Artist: Nicholas Ciraldo (Guitar) |
|
Vaughan Williams probably started to think about composing
the Tallis Fantasia when he was editing the English Hymnal.
The modal tune, 'Why fumeth in fight' was the third of nine Psalm tunes composed
by Tallis, probably in 1567. Its monastic 'darkness' and spiritually
introspective melody deeply affected VW. Huge expanded chords
(influences probably from his time as an organist) feature
prominently, and extensive spacial effects are conveyed by
the use of two groups of strings and a solo quartet which are
placed apart, resonating sympathetically.
"It is a piece which seems designed
to highlight the inadequacy of language to describe music,
at once profound, uplifting, calming, and thrilling." (from
H2g2 (Edited Guide Entry)
The first ever performance of the Tallis Fantasia was at Gloucester Cathedral on September 6th
in 1910 and VW himself was the conductor. There is no doubt that it was the acoustics
of Gloucester that VW had in mind when he composed the Fantasia. It was
subsequently revised on a number of occasions. Many composers such as Herbert
Howells, who was present at Gloucester that day, have talked about the influence
this composition had on them. It is difficult to appreciate what a revelation
this piece must have been at a time when English music still bore a heavy Teutonic
influence.
VW later irreverently nicknamed it 'The Tallywag'!
Visit the BBC Radio 3 website
Discovering Music for an audio exploration.
 The
5th Symphony was dedicated to Sibelius (left). It was completed in
1943 but to many in the war years, unaware that the symphony began to take
shape as early as 1931, and coming after the 'violent' 4th it seemed that
here was a vision of peace. Because RVW was over 70, many people thought
that this was to be his last symphony. Some of the themes were taken from
his then unfinished opera 'The Pilgrim's Progress'.
Thinking that the time was inappropriate for an opera, VW decided to use
some of the material for a symphony. Contemplative', 'radiant' and 'ecstatic'
are words which have commonly been used to describe this work. However, there
are moments of menace particularily in the scherzo.
Vaughan Williams and Sibelius were admirers of each other's work. A meeting
between the two in London however was a disappointment. Unable to speak each
other's language, their inadequate knowledge of French and shyness hindered
their genuine desire to make contact, although the meeting was full of goodwill.
Sibelius wrote of the dedication, 'Dr Williams has no idea what pleasure he
has given me.'
"Let us then shun all pernicious and enervating drugs, and turn to the
pure water of Sibelius' art."
Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1950 (in a BBC programme)
 Religious
subjects inspired VW throughout his life and his contribution to church music
was significant although he was quoted as saying, 'There is no reason why an
aetheist could not write a good Mass.' The Mass in G Minor has its roots in the music of Tallis,
Byrd and the Elizabethans and has been described as ‘the vocal equivalent
of the Tallis Fantasia'. The Mass was composed probably in 1920 and dedicated
to Gustav Holst (above) and his Whitsuntide Singers. The Kyrie was sung
at the funeral of Holst at Chichester Cathedral.
|
FEBRUARY
4, 6 & 9
Chicago, USA – Symphony Center
Symphony No. 5 in D
Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Easpagnol
Mozart Piano Concerto no.20
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian (conductor)
Shai Wosner (piano)
web
site
FEBRUARY 4
Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, Maryland
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture
Gershwin: Porgy and Bess: Suite "Catfish
Row"
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop (Conductor)
FEBRUARY 6
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, Maryland
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture
Gershwin: Porgy and Bess: Suite "Catfish Row"
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop (Conductor)
FEBRUARY 6
Montpellier, St Andrew's Church
The Wasps
The Lark Ascending
Also: The Banks of Green Willow George
Butterworth
Pastoral Suite Larrson
Clarinet concerto Gavin Sutherland
Drum Roll Haydn
7.30 pm
web
site
FEBRUARY 6
Dorking Halls, Surrey
Tuba Concerto
Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra
Beethoven Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)
Copland Appalachian Spring
Grieg Two Elegiac Melodies, Op 34
Jonathan Butcher (conductor)
Ben Thomson (tuba)
(Supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust)
Tickets available from
The SPO Ticket Secretary
7 Ferngrove Close, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 9EQ
Email: spotickets@yahoo.co.uk
FEBRUARY 7
Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Penderecki: Concerto for Horn
Bruckner:
Symphony no 4 in E flat major, WAB
104 "Romantic"
Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano (Conductor)
Jennifer Montone (French Horn)
FEBRUARY 9
Symphony Center, Chicago, Illinois
Symphony no 5 in D major
Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34
Mozart: Concerto for Piano no 20 in D minor, K 466
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; WFMT Chicago
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Peter Oundjian
Shai Wosner (Piano)
FEBRUARY 11, 12
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, Connecticut
Symphony no 5 in D major
Sibelius: Symphony no 7 in C major, Op. 105
Mozart: Concerto for Piano no 9 in
E flat major, K 271 "Jeunehomme"
Andrius Zlabys (Piano)
Mozart: Concerto for Piano no 24 in C minor, K 491
Andrius Zlabys (Piano)
FEBRUARY 12
Wortham Center, Houston, Texas
On Wenlock Edge
Andrew Kennedy (Tenor);
Orion Weiss (Piano);
Kyung-Sun Lee
(Violin);
Laurie Smukler (Violin);
Wayne Brooks (Viola);
Brinton Smith (Cello)
Elgar: Quintet for Piano and Strings
in A minor, Op. 84
Orion Weiss (Piano); Kyung-Sun Lee (Violin); Laurie Smukler
(Violin); Wayne Brooks (Viola); Brinton Smith (Cello)
Britten: Phantasy for Oboe and String Trio, Op. 2
Robert Atherholt (Oboe)
FEBRUARY 13
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, New York, New York
The Lark Ascending
Pärt: Da Pacem Domine
Susie Park (Violin)
Bruckner: Symphony no 5 in B flat major, WAB 105
FEBRUARY 13
St John's, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA
Songs of Travel
Dominic Argent: The Andree Expedition
Mark Stone (baritone)
Stephen Barlow (piano)
T: 0207 222 1061
web
site
FEBRUARY 13
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, Connecticut
Symphony no 5 in D major
Sibelius: Symphony no 7 in C major, Op. 105
Mozart: Concerto for Piano no 9 in
E flat major, K 271 "Jeunehomme"
Andrius Zlabys (Piano)
Mozart: Concerto for Piano no 24 in C minor, K 491
Andrius Zlabys (Piano)
FEBRUARY 15
Utrecht, Vredenburg Leidsche Rijn
Hoboconcert
Radio Filharmonisch Orkest
Sir Mark Elder (dirigent)
Nicholas Daniel (hobo)
Strauss Don Juan
Delius Paris
Debussy La mer
web
site
FEBRUARY 20
Duke's Hall, The Royal
Academy of Music
A Flourish for Glorious John
Holst: The Planets Suite
Performed by students of the Royal Academy of Music
Tickets: £10 (¬£8 concessions)
FEBRUARY 24 & 25
Birmingham – Symphony Hall
Symphony no. 4 in F
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy
Overture
Chopin: Piano Concerto no. 2 in F
minor, Op.21
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Litton (conductor)
William Wolfram (piano)
FEBRUARY 25, 26 & 27
Nashville, USA - Laura Turner Concert Hall
Symphony No. 2 – 'A London Symphony'
Walton Henry V: A Shakespeare
Scenario
Nashville Symphony Orchestra
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor)
Sir Christopher Plummer (narrator)
Nashville Symphony Chorus
Blair Children's Chorus
web
site
FEBRUARY 27
Wollaston, Northamptonshire
St. James's Church, Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, DY8 3PY
On Wenlock Edge
Ivor Gurney Ludlow and Teme
John Joubert Miniature String Quartet
op.10
Edward Elgar Piano Quintet op.84 in A minor
Wilhelm Theunissen (tenor)
Janine Smith (pianist)
web site |
|
| For his seventh
symphony, Sinfonia Antartica, Vaughan Williams reworked much
of the score which he wrote in 1947, for the film, Scott
of the Antarctic. Scott was a huge score and Vaughan
Williams wrote most of it before even seeing the script.
From 996 bars only 462 bars were used in the film (MK). As
he researched the ill fated expedition of 1911-12 VW became
increasingly depressed by the appaling inefficiency of the
expedition. His agitation manifested itself in an original
and masterly depiction of the struggle for survival in the
bleak and icy wastes. A howling wind is portrayed by a wind
machine.
Vaughan
Williams was working on the Five
Mystical Songs as early as 1906, and his response
to George Herbert's (1593-1633) metaphysical poetry is sensual
and inspired.
In 1908 he went to France and studied for a period with Maurice
Ravel. Vaughan Williams later related how he had learned
a great deal about orchestration from Ravel. "He showed me how to orchestrate in points of colour rather than
in lines". The songs and their orchestration were thoroughly revised before
their first performance at the Worcester Festival of 1911 so it is reasonable
to conclude that Ravel had some influence on the final revisions. To Gustav Holst,
VW from Paris wrote, " I am getting a lot out of Ravel - I hope it doesn't
worry him too much - only I feel that 10 years would not teach me all I want".
Tender, ecstatic, ravishing, stirring, spiritual, magical!
" A firm favourite with audiences from its first
performance in 1911, it was cited as evidence that Vaughan Williams had indeed
'arrived' as a composer and was worthy of inheriting the mantle of such illustrious
musical forbears Lawes and Purcell."
© J. S. Whitehead 2003 - Halifax Choral Society notes. |
MARCH
1
Leeds Town Hall
Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Melodies
Simon Lindley, organ
David of the White Rock
Mathias: Toccata Giocosa
Mathias: Processional
Elgar: Sonata in G, Op. 28
Free Admission no ticket required
1:05pm
music@leeds.gov.uk
Call 0113 247 8336 for more details
MARCH 2
Worcester Cathedral
A Sea Symphony
Richard Strauss Four Last Songs
Worcester Festival Choral Society
Alwyn Mellor (soprano)
Paul Carey Jones (baritone)
Chameleon Arts Orchestra
Adrian Lucas (conductor)
19:30
Tickets £22.50 - £6.00, with concessions, from Worcester
Live Box Office on 01905 611427 or
web site
MARCH
4 & 6
Max M. Fischer Music Center,
Detroit, USA
Henry V & Christopher
Plummer
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas
Tallis
Britten Young Person's Guide to the
Orchestra
Walton Henry V
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Narrator Christopher Plummer, arguably one the greatest actors
of our time, and the legendary Sir Neville Marriner bring
Shakespeare's "Henry
V" to life with William Walton's music from the classic
Olivier film.
*Free ConcerTalks begin 1 hr prior to performance.
8.00pm
web
site
MARCH 6
Chester Cathedral
Symphony No. 7 (Sinfonia Antartica)
Elgar - In the South Overture (Alassio)
Mozart - Oboe Concerto in C Major
K314
Chester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chester Bach Singers
Stephen Threlfall (conductor)
Chloe Greenwood (oboe)
Diana Palmerston (soprano)
Charles Foster (narrator)
7:30 pm
Tickets £5 - £15
Box office: tel 0151 6321633 or
Email boxoffice@chesterphilorchestra.co.uk
web
site
MARCH 6
St Martin's Parish Church, Epsom
Benedicite
Te Deum Stanford
I Was Glad & Blest Pair of Sirens Hubert
Parry
with Alberti Brass
Epsom Choral Society
Musical Director: Robin Kimber
Accompanist: Marion Lea
Ticket details & online
purchase here
MARCH 6
Victoria Rooms, Bristol
Charterhouse Suite
Milhaud, Suite Française
Badelt Theme from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
Smith Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual
Handel Concerto Grosso in E minor,
Op.6 no.3, HWV 321
Elgar Sospiri for string orchestra and harp, Op.70
Bartók Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56
Bristol University Wind Orchestra
Daniel Barnes (Conductor)
Bristol University String Orchestra
Claire Lampon (Conductor)
web site
MARCH 13
Port Angeles High School Auditorium, Port Angeles, Washington
USA
All-Vaughan Williams
Program
Sea Songs
Toccata Marziale
English Folksong Suite
The Pilgrim's Progress: A Bunyan Sequence
Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra
Adam Stern (Conductor)
Andrew Parks, Kurt Beattie and Kathleen Balducci¬Ý(narrators)
Benjamin Richardson (treble soloist)
The Peninsula Singers,
Dewey Ehling, (Director)
7:30 p.m.
tel: (USA) 360-457-5579
MARCH 13
Watford Colosseum
5 Mystical Songs
Walton Belshazzar's Feast
Britten - Rejoice in the Lamb for
soloists, chorus and organ, Op.30
Bax - Tintagel - tone poem
Watford Philharmonic Society Concert
Terry Edwards (conductor)
Andrew Shore (baritone)
web site
MARCH 13
Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucs.
British Police Symphony Orchestra in aid
of The Friends of Gloucester Three Choirs Festival
Five Variants on Dives and
Lazarus
Sibelius - Pohjola's Daughter
Holst - The Planets
Tom Hammond (Conductor)
Tickets: £10.00 and £7.00, available from:
Friends of Gloucester Three Choirs
Festival
7c College Green
Gloucester
GL1 2LX
Cheques (with SAE) should be made payable to 'Friends of
Gloucester TCF'
7.30pm
web
site
MARCH 13
Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre
Hinchingbrooke School, off Brampton Road, Huntingdon, Cambs.
Dona Nobis Pacem
Parry - Best Pair of Sirens
£10.00 (students £6.00)
19:30
web site
MARCH 13
Oxford - University Church, St. Mary the Virgin, High St.
Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Symphony no. 5
Also: Elgar - Introduction & Allegro
Oxford Spezzati Soloists and Orchestra
Nicholas Mumby (Conductor)
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: £10 / £5 (concs) available.
web site
MARCH 14
Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
Serenade to Music
Minnesota Chorale and Soloists
Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
Kathy Saltzman Romey (Artistic Director/Conductor)
Also performing:
Orchestral Works by Samuel Barber
Carmina Burana - Carl Orff
Minnesota Chorale
Minnesota Youth Chorus
Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
William Schrickel (Conductor - MSO Music Director)
web site
MARCH 14
Portland, Oregon, USA – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Symphony No. 6 in E minor
Delius Iremelin Prelude
R.Strauss Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Oregon Symphony Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar (conductor)
MARCH 20
Keble College Chapel, Oxford
Mass in G Minor
Jubilate chamber choir
Also features Britten - Rejoice in
the Lamb, Hymn to St Cecilia, A Hymn of St Columba
Simon Whalley (conductor)
Tickets: £12, £10 (concessions), £6 (under 16s)
6.30pm
web site
MARCH 23
Royal Festival Hall, London
Dona nobis pacem
(Cantata for soprano, baritone, chorus & orchestra)
Karl Jenkins Armed Man A Mass for Peace
Ivor Setterfield (conductor)
Barts Choir
Trafalgar Sinfonia
web site
MARCH 25
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Auditorium
Symphony no. 4 in F
Mozart Overture to Don Giovanni
Brahms Violin Concerto
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Peter Oundjian (conductor)
Vadim Gluzman (violin)
web
site
MARCH 26
Edinburgh - The Usher Hall
Symphony no. 4 in F
Mozart Overture to Don Giovanni
Brahms Violin Concerto
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Peter Oundjian (conductor)
Vadim Gluzman (violin) |
|
It was at
a rehearsal of the uncompromising 4th Symphony that
RVW when questioned by a player who queried a note, "peered
at the score and remarked 'Well - it's B flat. I know it looks wrong
and sounds wrong. But it's right." (Michael Kennedy)
Much was made of its violence and how it reflected the state of the times (1935)
and VW's anger towards Facism. Vaughan Williams denied this. Nevertheless by
1939 VW's music was on Hitler's black list. What is certain however, is that
the work came as a shock to audiences expecting more of the The Lark Ascending. Reflecting a starker attitude heard in works
works such as Flos Campi, Riders to the Sea and Sancta Civitas at
its first performance under Sir Adrian Boult, the 4th received thunderous applause
which was 'almost without parallel at Queen's Hall'.
"It has often been said that this work is related to the period in which
it was written, and, though this must be true to some extent of any work by any
composer who does not cut himself off from contemporary life, no one seems to
have observed how far more closely it is related to the character of the man
who wrote it. The towering furies of which he was capable, his fire, pride and
strength are all revealed and so are his imagination and lyricism. He was experimenting
with purely musical ideas; no sea or city; no essence of the country was at heart
of this score and what emerged has something in common with one of Rembrandt's
self portraits in middle age."
( R.V.W. A Biography of Vaughan Williams – Ursula
Vaughan Williams)
VW was the first Festival Conductor from 1905 to 1953 and some of his works received
their first performance at the Festival. To read more about the Festival visit
our page
www.rvwsociety.com/dorking.html
To visit the Festival page go to:
http://www.lhmf.co.uk/ |
APRIL
1, 3, 6
Chicago, USA – Symphony Center
The Lark Ascending
Tippett Concerto for Double String
Orchestra
Elgar Symphony No. 2
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Elena Urioste (violin)
web
site
APRIL 7, 8 & 9
San Francisco - Davies Symphony Hall
Symphony No. 2, A London Symphony
Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä (conductor)
Alexander Barantschik (violin)
web site
APRIL 9, 10 & 11
Detroit, USA – Max M. Fisher Music Center
Symphony No. 4 in F
Beethoven Piano Concerto no.4
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian (conductor)
Helen Grimaud (piano)
10.45am
web
site
APRIL 11
Sunningdale - Holy Trinity Church
Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus
Also: Elgar - Serenade for Strings,
Sospiri and Introduction & Allegro
Oxford Spezzati Soloists and Orchestra
Nicholas Mumby (conductor)
6pm
APRIL 15
The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells
Green Room Music 09/10 Concert Season
String quartet no. 2 in A minor
Purcell Chaconne in G Minor, Z 730
Tallis Lamentations of Jeremiah
Panufnik This Paradise
Poulenc Quatre petites prières de St Franˆßois d'Assise
Ravel String Quartet in F major
Dante Quartet
Collegium Regale, Voice
web site
APRIL 15
Vancouver, Canada – Orpheum Theatre
English Folk Song Suite
Grainger Country Gardens
Gilbert & Sullivan Pirates of Penzance: Poor Wandering
One
Delius Irmelin Prelude
Gilbert & Sullivan Ruddigore: If Somebody There chanced
to Be (the Etiquette Song)
Elgar Chanson de Matin
Gilbert & Sullivan The Mikado:The Sun Whose Rays
Elgar Pomp & Circumstance March
No. 1
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Evan Mitchell (conductor)
Christopher Gaze (host)
Melanie Krueger (soprano)
2.00pm
web site
APRIL 16
Leith Hill Music Festival
Dorking Halls, Dorking, Surrey
Benedicite
Gounod Messe Solonelle de Sainte Cecile
Wilbye Flora gave me fairest flowers
RVW (arr.) Loch Lomond
Chilcott new work tba
Eleanor Daley The Lake Isle of Innisfree
Pearsall Who shall win my lady fair
Martene Grimson
Neil Jenkins
Jonathan Sells
English Festival Orchestra
Leith
Hill Festival
Booking
Dorking Halls
APRIL 16, 17 & 18
Hungary - Budapest Béla Bartók
National Concert Hall
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas
Tallis
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 5
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 (Italian)
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Peter Oundjian (conductor)
Garrick Ohlsson (piano)
web
site
APRIL 18
Felsted School Chapel
Five Mystical Songs
Serenade to Music
Felsted Choral Society and the Brentwood Philharmonic Orchestra
James Lawrence (soloist in 'Songs')
Roger Lawrence¬ÝMA.,ARCM (Musical Director)
George Dyson - Nebuchadnezzar
7.30 pm.
web site
APRIL 24
Wigmore Hall, London
YCAT 25th Anniversary Gala Concert I
On Wenlock Edge
Schubert - Introduction and variations
on 'Die schöne
Müllerin" in E minor, D.802
Schubert, Auf dem Strom (Rellstab), D.943
Rachmaninov, Preludes - selection
Shostakovich, Piano Concerto no. 1 in C minor for piano,
trumpet and string orchestra, Op.35
Ian Bostridge (tenor)
Doric String Quartet
Sacconi Quartet
19:30
web site |
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When a journalist
wrote that the 6th symphony was
a war symphony he got a rebuke from VW.
Ursula Vaughan Williams reported "He was bloody angry. He was furious about
that".
Vaughan Williams said "I am not anything to do with war. Nothing at all.
It never seems to occur to people that a man might just want to write a piece
of music."
Yet the symphony starts with an explosion. The key is unclear. Shifting themes
and textures create a feeling of incredible energy, instability and violence.
It has been said that the symphony shares a mood with Shostakowitch’s 10th
symphony. Dissonant, startling, contemporary, manic and shocking, VW’s
6th features jazzy and jaunty saxophones which create some very sinister effects.
The overall feeling is one of terror and alienation.
Vaughan Williams said we can get nearer to the meaning of the symphony in a quote
from The Tempest. "We are such stuff that
dreams are made of". He was delighted when a contemporary composer Rutland
Boughton, described the symphony with reference to Dante, as an 'agnostic’s
Paradiso'.
The Epilogue is the eeriest of finales and is perhaps the most unusual and unsettling
part of this symphony. The orchestra barely raises above a whisper. The conductor
Andrew Davis, thought it depicted a post nuclear vision as well as being a tribute
to Holst’s 'Neptune'. With sparce Holst-like orchestration, the symphony
concludes by drifting into space with the quietest and ghostliest of pianissimos.
Uncertain and varying between Eb major and E minor it continues its drift into
a tense and disquieting, nothingness.
A Sea Symphony continues to
be the choral societies' favourite, and rightly so. This is
a huge work for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus, and orchestra.
Vaughan Williams was introduced to the poetry of Walt Whitman
in 1892 by fellow Cambridge undergraduate, Bertrand Russell.
He began the sketches as early as 1903 when he wrote Songs of the Sea. This grew into the Ocean Symphony and eventually matured into A
Sea Symphony. The music beautifully captures the spirit
of Whitman's poetry. The work took almost six years and VW
acknowledged that the work owed much to Elgar. "The Elgar
phrase which influenced me was 'Thou are calling me' in Gerontius". A
Sea Symphony gives ample scope for choral virtuosity.
The final movement is especially haunting. (visit
our sounds page)
"Oh vast Rondure, swimming in space,
Covered all over with visible power and beauty..."
For text
Above: VW Conducting A Sea Symphony at
Leeds in 1910.
Following the success of the 2006, 2008 and 2009 EMF, dates
for the 2010 English Music Festival have
been confirmed as 28th-31st May. This is a feast of English
music representing Vaughan Williams, Britten, Elgar, Purcell,
Handel, Howells, Bantock, Ireland, Finzi, Moeran, Dyson,
Holbrooke, Bax, as well as many of the less often English
composers. The Festival is held mainly in Dorchester Abbey
in Oxfordshire.
www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk |
MAY
1
St John's, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA
An 'English Music Festival' Gala Concert in London
A pre-festival Gala Concert, in aid of the English Music Festival
On Wenlock Edge
Purcell, Henry (1659-1695), Two Fantasias
Britten, Benjamin (1913-1976), String
Quartet no. 1, Op.25
Bridge, Frank (1879-1941), Piano Quintet
The Bridge Quartet
Charles Daniels (tenor)
Michael Dussek (piano)
19:30
web site
MAY 2
The Electoral Palace, Mainz, Germany.
Tuba Concerto
Britten Four Sea Interludes from the Opera 'Peter Grimes',
op. 33a
Elgar Enigma Variations, op. 36
Rheinischen Orchesterakademie Mainz
Constantin Alex (conductor)
Carl Woodcroft (tuba)
MAY 7
Royal Festival Hall, London
The International Conductors' Academy of the Allianz Cultural
Foundation
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Tchaikovsky - Francesca da Rimini, Symphonic Fantasia in
E minor, Op.32
Liszt - Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S.125
Dvorák - Symphonic variations for Orchestra, Op.78
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Arnold Cohen (piano)
19:30
web site
MAY 7, 8 & 9
Saint Louis , USA – Powell Symphony Hall
Symphony No.1 'A Sea Symphony'
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Robert Spano (conductor)
Horacio Gutiérrez (piano)
Christine Goerke (soprano)
Brett Polegato (baritone)
MAY 8
St Mary's Church Woodbridge, Suffolk
Part of the Woodbridge Chamber Concerts Series
A Celebration of Twentieth Century English Song
Songs by Vaughan Williams, Butterworth, Warlock, Finzi and
Britten
This is an RVW Society supported
regional event
Natalya Romaniw (soprano)
Gary Griffiths (baritone)
Iain Burnside (piano)
7.30pm
Prices £12 and £16 (reserved)
Box Office; 01986 798324
Further details and download a brochure
web
site
MAY 8
Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre
Hinchingbrooke School, off Brampton Road, Huntingdon, Cambs.
A London Symphony (Symphony
No 2)
Smetana Vltava
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
£10.00 (students £6.00)
19:30
web site
MAY 9
Bedford Corn Exchange, St Pauls Square, MK40
A London Symphony
Holst Ballet from 'The Perfect Fool'
Delius Violin Concerto
Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra
Michael Rose (conductor)
Martin Hughes (violinist)
8pm
Tickets £9-£13
Box Office 01234 269519
web
site
MAY 15
London - St. John the Baptist, Holland Road (W14)
Mass in G minor
Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Also: Elgar - Elegy and Sospiri
Finzi - Dies Natalis
Oxford Spezzati Soloists and Orchestra
Robin Whitehouse (tenor)
Nicholas Mumby (conductor)
7:30pm
Retiring Collection
MAY 15
Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
In celebration of Holy Trinity’Äôs 800 years
Mass in G Minor
Five Mystical Songs
Three Shakespeare Songs
Chamber Choir, Stratford-upon-Avon
Geoff Crane (bass)
Andrew Jones (organist)
Stephen Dodsworth (Conductor)
Ticket Price - £15 students - £5
Tickets from: 01789 840329 or
Holy Trinity Church Shop
Parish Office
7.30pm
MAY 15 & 16
Naperville, Illinois, USA - Wentz Concert Hall
The Lark Ascending
Richard Strauss Alpine Symphony
Frederick Delius In a Summer Garden
DuPage Symphony Orchestra
Barbara Schubert (conductor)
Bella Hristova (violin)
web
site
MAY 15
Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Town Hall
Symphony No. 2 'A London Symphony'
Guilmant Symphony No. 1 for Organ
and Orchestra
Strauss Don Juan
Simon Mercer (organ)
Stockport Symphony Orchestra
Jonathan Lo (conductor)
Maria Molund (conductor)
Tom Newall (conductor)
web
site
MAY 15
New York City, NY, USA - Good Shepherd Church
'Evening of Piano Concerti'
Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchesta
Yoojin Oh (piano)
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1
Yumi sato (piano)
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2
Raymond Wang (piano)
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Anastasia Dedik (piano)
Manhattan Chamber Orchestra
Eduard Zilberkant (conductor)
MAY 19
Lighthouse, Poole
BSO - English Postcards
Symphony no. 5 in D Major
Tippett - Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli
Finzi - Clarinet Concerto
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
David Hill (conductor)
19:30
web
site |
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Vaughan Williams
was working on Five Mystical
Songs as early as 1906, and his response to George
Herbert's (1593-1633) metaphysical poetry is sensual and
inspired. In 1908 he went to France and studied for a period
with Maurice Ravel. Vaughan Williams later related how he
had learned a great deal about orchestration from Ravel. "He
showed me how to orchestrate in points of colour rather than
in lines". The songs and their orchestration were thoroughly
revised before their first performance at the Worcester Festival
of 1911 so it is reasonable to conclude that Ravel had some
influence on the final revisions. To Gustav Holst, VW from
Paris wrote, " I am getting a lot out of Ravel - I hope
it doesn't worry him too much - only I feel that 10 years
would not teach me all I want".
Tender, ecstatic, ravishing, stirring, spiritual, magical!
" A firm favourite with audiences from its first performance in 1911, it
was cited as evidence that Vaughan Williams had indeed 'arrived' as a composer
and was worthy of inheriting the mantle of such illustrious musical forbears
Lawes and Purcell."
© J. S. Whitehead 2003 - Halifax Choral Society notes.
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To be announced
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Dona
Nobis Pacem - Using the Liturgy and words
by Whitman and John Bright, the cantata, first performed
in 1936 was RVW's optimistic plea for peace. Superb and
atmospheric choral music.
'The music abounds in beauties -'
Michael Kennedy
The
Serenade to Music was composed for the unique occasion,
of Henry Wood's jubilee which took place at the Royal Albert
Hall on the 5th October 1938. 'Tailor' written for 16 internationally
acclaimed solo singers (VW identified the singers by inscribing
their initials in the score) with words by Shakespeare
from The Merchant of Venice,
RVW later adapted the music for choral or orchestral use.
Beautiful words and beautiful music. Ursula Vaughan Williams
recalled that Rachmaninov who was there to play his Second
Concerto, was moved to tears.
The Concerto for Bass Tuba was written when
VW was aged 81, and first performed on 13th June 1954 by Philip Catelinet and
the LSO under John Barbirolli. Critical reaction was not to take it too seriously
- "an elephantine romp, humorous and salty" -
Michael Kennedy
VW took the task seriously enough as he always did and especially as a champion
for underated instruments.
'He discovered agility and melodic potential in an instrument few others had
suspected, and created a work of lasting value.
The D major romanza is really beautiful, with a main theme as fine any Vaughan-Williams
slow movement. Sung first by the violas, the tuba takes it over and explores
it lovingly. The finale is short, quick and more chromatic, slithering into and
out of keys rapidly, before another short cadenza and closing flourish.' |
JULY
10
Ely Cathedral
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Dona Nobis Pacem
Sacred Verdi
Verdi I Vespri Siciliani (Sicilian Vespers):
Overture
Verdi Te Deum
Verdi Stabat Mater
Cambridge Philharmonic Society
Soloists: Joan Rodgers (Soprano), Roderick Williams (Baritone)
19.30
web
site
JULY 10
Snape Maltings Concert Hall
A Sea Symphony
Walton Belshazzar's Feast
The
Eye Bach Choir
The
English Arts Chorale
Stowmarket
Chorale & Orchestra
presented by Leslie Olive and his three choirs.
19.30
JULY 22
Exeter Cathedral, England
The Lark Ascending
Symphony No.1 'A Sea Symphony'
Peter Hope: Kaleidoscope
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
Amadeus Orchestra
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus
Philip Mackenzie (Conductor)
Francesca Barritt (Violin)
Janis Kelly (Soprano)
Richard Morrison (Baritone)
web site
JULY 23
Wells Cathedral, England
The Lark Ascending
Symphony No.1 'A Sea Symphony'
Peter Hope: Kaleidoscope
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
Amadeus Orchestra
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus
Philip Mackenzie (Conductor)
Francesca Barritt (Violin)
Janis Kelly (Soprano)
Richard Morrison (Baritone)
web
site
JULY 31
The Borough Hall, The Headland, Hartlepool, TS24 OJD
Concert for the Tall Ships Races
2010
A Sea Symphony
(Centenary performance)
Madeleine Pierard (soprano)
Dawid Kimberg (baritone) [South Africa representative in
BBC Cardiff singer of the World 2009]
Britten Sea Interludes from Peter
Grimes
Elgar Sea Pictures
Anna Stephany (Mezzo soprano) [England representative in
BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2009]
The Mowbray Orchestra,
Cleveland Philharmonic Choir
John Forsyth (Conductor)
7.30pm
Tickets £15 adult, £12 concessions, £2
child/student from Hartlepool Tourist information Centre,
01429 869706 or John Hillier 01740 630736
Cleveland
Phil web site
Tall
Ships Races web site
JULY 31
Wells Cathedral, Somerset
The Dreamers of Dreams - Inspirational English choral music
Toward the Unknown Region
Flos Campi
Elgar The Music Makers
Parry Blest Pair of Sirens
Judith Bingham The darkness is no
darkness
S.S. Wesley Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace
Somerset Chamber Choir
Southern Sinfonia
Graham Caldbeck (conductor)
Alan George (viola)
Oliver Walker (organ)
Sara Fulgoni (mezzo-soprano)
7pm
Tel: 01275 349010
web
site |
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AUGUST
10
Gloucester - Three Choirs Festival
Tallis Fantasia
Celebrating the centenary of the first
performance in Gloucester Cathedral
conducted by RVW.
Also Holst St Pauls Suite
Violin Concerto - Elgar
Sir Roger Norrington (conductor)
web
site |
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Sancta
Civitas (" The Holy City") was written
between 1923 and 1925. VW said in later life that of all
his choral works it was the one he liked best. Its first
performance was in May 1926 in Oxford where it was conducted
by Hugh Allen with Arthur Cranmer as soloist. The words
are from the Authorised Version and Taverner's Bible and
describes the fall of Babylon and the new heaven and new
earth. Ursula Vaughan Williams writes in her biography "...there
is no doubt that it epitomizes much of his thoughts, belief,
and imagination." When VW conducted the oratorio
at The Three Choirs Festival in 1935 shortly before Italy
launched its armies from Eritrea into Ethiopia, Ursula
wrote, "some passages seemed
to have a terrible appositeness". Indeed, there
are sections which contain some of RVW's most terrifying
music.
This is a wonderful but rarely performed work. |
To be announced
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OCTOBER
24
Barbican Centre, London EC2Y 8DS
An Oxford Elegy
for chorus, orchestra & speaker
London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Chorus
Eric Whitacre, (conductor)
Whitacre, Eric (b. 1970), New Work (World Première,
commissioned by the LSO)
Works by Whitacre, Eric (b. 1970) (two capella works)
Tickets £8 £14 £19
19:30
web site
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Symphony
No 9 It is the work, not of a tired
old man, but a vey experienced one. (James Day)
Vaughan Williams, eschewing sentimentality,
for the last time summons up those reserves which, for
want of a better word, must be called visionary (Michael Kennedy)
...at once heroic and contemplative,
defiant and wistfully absorbed, and largely visionary in
tone (Hugh Ottaway)
Mainly neglected in the concert hall this
extraordinary and visionary work is considered by a growing
number of critics to be VW's finest symphony. Written during
the last few years of his life (between 1956-7), early manuscripts
have the words, "Tess" and "Stonehenge" clearly marked on
them. We know that during their early years both Vaugha WIlliams
and Gustav Holst were extremely moved by Hardy's novel. The
Symphony requires a large orchestra with the additions of
saxophones, deep bells and a fluglehorn. |
NOVEMBER
6, 7 & 8
Florida, USA - Tampa Bay
Symphony no. 4 in F
MacMillan The Sacrifice: Three Interludes
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
The Florida Orchestra
James MacMillan (conductor)
Jeffrey Multer (violin)
NOVEMBER 18, 20, 21 & 23
Chicago - Symphony Hall
Symphony No 9 in E minor
Turnage: Texan Tenebrae [CSO
co-commission]
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 49th
Symphony
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis (Conductor)
Vladimir Feltsman (Piano)
web site |
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To be announced
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