Vaughan
Williams Quintets
Music
in Context
British
Library Concert 20th
Feb 2001
• Quintet
in D major for clarinet, horn, violin, cello and piano (1898)
• Nocturne and Scherzo for string quartet (1906)
• Scherzo for string quintet (1904)
• Quintet in C minor for piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass
(1903)
The RCM Chamber Ensemble
Maximiliano Martín – clarinet
Bethan Watkeys – horn
Tom Hankey – violin
Helen Ruinard – violin
Martin Saving – viola
Nanna Hartmann Rasmussen – viola
Naomi Williams – cello
Charlotte Hooper-Greenhill – double bass
David Wärn – piano
Members who were present at the Music in Context series at the British
Library on the 20th February 2001 were treated to a concert performed
by The RCM Chamber Ensemble of early chamber music by Ralph Vaughan
Williams. The concert provided a fascinating insight into the musical
thinking and influences on a young man who was only still beginning
to discover his true musical voice in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
It was traditional for Vaughan Williams on numerous occasions to preview his
music with help from students of the Royal College of Music so it was remarkable
that 40 yeas after his death, and 100 years after he himself was a student there,
students from the Royal College of Music were once again previewing some of his
works.
A pre concert
talk was given by Bernard Benoliel from RVW Ltd who explained the context of
the music and also the reasoning behind reviving these works. In essence the
reasoning was as follows. RVW had withdrawn these works amongst a dozen or so
manuscripts from public performance and Ursula Vaughan Williams had given instructions
to the British Library, to whom she had donated the manuscripts, that these works
were not to be performed. This was the official policy from 1958.
Over the last decade a number of factors changed the thinking
over this issue.
Firstly, a number of alarming reports from Faber and other RVW publishers highlighted
attempts to illegally publish and record the works in the USA and on the Continent.
Because of the illegibilty of RVW's handwriting, there was a real danger that
innacuracies would occur which in turn would damage the growing international
reputation of RVW. If the music was to going to be published anyway, then it
might as well be accurate.
Secondly, the interest shown by scholars and performers in hearing and playing
the music.
Thirdly, RVW had made direct reference to these works in his
will. He had given powers to Sir Arthur Bliss and Edmund Rubbra to advise Ursula
Vaughan Williams on all musical matters and to decide which manuscripts were
to be retained or destroyed. As Bernard Benoliel wryly pointed out.
"According to Michael Kennedy, Bliss and Rubbra never agreed on anything
musical, so this was perhaps an amusing ploy, to ensure the survival of the manuscripts,
relieving VW of the final responsibility."
Fourthly, For the better understanding of the young VW and
his development as a great composer.
Authentic editions have now been prepared of VW's early music in co-operation
with Faber Music and release dates are imminent. A CD is also planned either
later this year or early next year.
(kind permision of Bernard Benoliel)
The early chamber works are:
Piano Trio in C major 1895
String Quartet in C minor 1898
Quintet in D major 1898
Piano Quintet in C minor with Double Bass 1903/04/05
Ballade and Scherzo for String Quartet 1904
Nocturne and Scherzo for String Quartet 1906
(Nocturne is a revision of the Ballade, Scherzo
is new.)
Below: The RCM Chamber Ensemble seen at the 2000 AGM at Charterhouse when they
played The Piano Quintet.
