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  Why is there no Vaughan Williams memorial?
John Bridcut, who has made a new documentary about the composer 50 years after his death, puzzles why Elgar and Britten have public memorials yet Vaughan Williams despite his generosity to the nation, has nowhere to lay his head. Read his article in the Telegraph.
Click here.

12th May 2008
 
     
  'O Though Transcendent', Tony Palmer's film about the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams now complete

Tony Palmer's film biography 'O Thou Transcendent' is No 1 in the Movie Mail bestseller list, and also DVD of the Month in the February edition of the BBC Music Magazine.

Movie Mail: http://www.moviemail-online.co.uk/?provider=wb

BBC Music magazine: http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com/thismonthcdNew.asp

To purchase please visit: www.tonypalmerdvd.com/


Tony Palmer's film is now complete. Undoubtedly controversial it will also be very important in raising awareness of RVW. Approximately two and a half hours long, it looks at Vaughan Williams’ life as a disturbed and frustrated one. Powerful with some harrowing imagery, the film firmly dispels the myth that VW was simply a cuddly folk song collector and recycler who was affectionately known as "Uncle Ralph". As well as exploring his musical legacy, Palmer also focuses on the human side of VW. His frustration at living in a cosy market town, looking after an invalid wife (which he did devotedly) and the fury as well as the kindness and humanity which were all features of his remarkable character and which in their turn affected his music. The music passages are superbly played and filmed. The film is available on DVD. An absolute must see.

Read also: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article2780045.ece

Also: Simon Heffer's review in The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/12/05/bmwilliams105.xm


tony palmer & Ursula Vaughan Williams


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  RVW Society member, David Barker who is also a web editor for Musicweb International, has produced an on-line index of reviews of all Vaughan Williams music that has appeared on Musicweb. The fruits of his labour so far covers the period 1999-2003 and more than 100 reviews are now available. This is an on-going project and David will continue to update by year by year.
Visit: http://www.musicweb-international.com/Vwilliams/revidx.htm
 
     
  Quiz Trivia. So how much do you really know about Vaughan Williams?

At the 2006 AGM, members were invited to try their hand at a quiz which was set by Stephen Connock. See how well you do.
Dont worry if don't do so well. If you aren't a member then it's good reason to join! If you do really well, then we need you anyway!
Click here to see the quiz.
 
     
 
That Precious Legacy
'THAT PRECIOUS LEGACY'
Ralph Vaughan Williams and Essex Folksong

A new Essex Record Office publication by
Sue Cubbin

(of the Essex Sound and Video Archive)

This important new book looks at the many songs Vaughan Williams collected in Essex, the singers he met, the context of folk song a hundred years ago, and how these musical experiences helped to shape his work.

With black and white illustrations, a comprehensive list of songs collected by Vaughan Williams in Essex, and the tunes and words to 30 of these songs.

Price: £5.99 (including P&P)

The Essex Record Office
Wharf Road
Chelmsford
CM2 6YT
Tel: 01245 244644
email: sue.cubbin@essexcc.gov.uk

This project was generously supported by the Friends of Historic Essex