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Vaughan Williams

The Column: Ralph Vaughn Williams' 'The Lark Ascending Wins' Again, But Why?

Here comes the unaskable question - what is it with The Lark Ascending? The Vaughan Williams work has again topped the Classic FM Hall of Fame poll. It might have been edged out by the Rach 2 for the last few years, but it is a regular at the lofty summit of the list, voted on by more than 100,000 listeners to the UK radio station. It has also previously been voted Brits' favorite-ever melody featured in the popular BBC Radio show Desert Island Discs. Audiences love it, violinists love it (it is largely a violin showpiece), so it feels strangely subversive to ask, "Why?"
By James Inverne

  • Classicalite's Five Best: Ralph Vaughan Williams Works

    After my impassioned plea for orchestras and conductors to take note of this month's centenary of the Vaughan Williams "London" Symphony, it occurs to me that many readers, especially those outside of the U.K., may not be over-familiar with the great composer's music.
    By James Inverne

  • Happy 100th Birthday, Ralph Vaughan Williams 'London' Symphony!

    A Vaughan Williams masterpiece is 100 this month. Has anyone noticed? There have been some magnificent musical works composed on the subject of London, but surely none greater than Ralph Vaughan Williams' Second Symphony, premiered on March 27 1914 and therefore this month's honored birthday boy.
    By James Inverne