Great
Classical Music
Composers

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

12 October 1872 - 26 August 1958 (age 85)

Portrait by Paul Helm ©
click on image for more info

Ralph Vaughan Williams was 20th century English composer and folk music collector. He composed symphonies, operas, chamber music and film scores.

Family

Father: Rev. Arthur Vaughan Williams. Vicar. Died when he was 2.
Mother: Margaret Susan Wedgwood. Niece of Charles Darwin and granddaughter of Josiah Wedgewood
Siblings: youngest of 3
Partners:
1st wife: Adeline Fisher
2nd wife: Ursula Wood (who he married at age 81)
Children: none

The Man who set England to Music

I came across this really interesting article about RVW which appeared in "The Independent". Here is the link:
- THE MAN WHO SET ENGLAND TO MUSIC Independent, The (London), Apr 11, 2007, by Andy McSmith

ClassicFM's Hall of Fame

My favourite UK radio station ClassicFM has an annual Hall of Fame of the 300 top classical pieces as voted for by its listeners.
This year Vaughan Williams's 'Lark Ascending' is No1 (again - it was at the top last year also)
No3 is his 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis' (up from No10 last year)
Unbelievable.

Books, CDs and reviews

I have made a selection of books and CDs about RVW on Amazon. Many of the selections have interesting reviews which you can read by clicking on the product thumbnail.Choose the store appropriate to your location:
US store - amazon.com

or the UK store Amazon.co.UK

or in Canada go to amazon.ca

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (on YouTube)

Temperament

A large man (over 6' tall), quiet and thoughtful.
Untidily dressed, absent minded.
Very self critical.

Works

A prolific composer of:

9 Symphonies
6 Operas
1 Ballet
numerous hymn tunes
chamber music, choral works, organ and band music
various film and stage scores

He was a collector, student and conservator of English folk songs which were an important element and influence on his compositions.

Quotes

- “But in the next world I shan't be doing music, with all the striving and disappointments. I shall be being it.”

- "I don't know whether I like it, but it is what I meant."

- "No, it's a Bb. It looks wrong and it sounds wrong, but it's right."

Vaughan Williams on eBay now

On eBay you will find bargains galore but more interestingly there is a treasure chest of old items. Out of print books, old recordings no longer available, memorabilia and goods no longer sold on the High Street.To see what is currently on offer take a look at: