War Years
Donald Macleod reflects on Vaughan Williams's contribution to the effort for World War ii and introduces a selection of music from this period.
Celebrating British Music: By the outbreak of the Second World War, Vaughan Williams was nearly 67 so active service wasn't an option but he was able to do his bit in other ways; he was appointed Chairman of a Home Office Committee looking into the plight of refugees from Nazi Germany. Donald Macleod introduces a concerto whose premiere was delayed because of flying bombs over London, and a string quartet with a prominent role for Vaughan Williams's favourite instrument, the viola.
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Music Played
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Valiant for truth for chorus with organ or piano ad lib.
Choir: Finzi Singers. Conductor: Paul Spicer.- CHANDOS : CHAN-9425.
- CHANDOS.
- 7.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Concerto in A minor for oboe and string orchestra
Performer: Jonathan Small. Conductor: Vernon Handley. Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.- EMI : cdemx-2179.
- EMI.
- 5.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Quartet no. 2 in A minor (for Jean on her birthday) for strings
Ensemble: Maggini Quartet.- NAXOS : 8-555300.
- NAXOS.
- 10.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Household music - 3 preludes on Welsh hymn tunes for unspecified forces
Conductor: Richard Hickox. Orchestra: Royal Northern Sinfonia.- CHANDOS : CHAN-9392.
- CHANDOS.
- 12.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
49th parallel: Prelude (opening titles)
Performer: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Rumon Gamba
- Chandos: CHAN10529(3).
- 1.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Household Music - II: St Denio
Performer: Northern Sinfonia Conductor: Richard Hickox
- Chandos: CHAN9392.
- 12.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
String quartet No.2 in A minor
Performer: Maggini Quartet
- Naxos: 8.555300.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Motet: Valiant for Truth
Performer: Finzi Singers Director: Paul Spicer
- Chandos: CHAN9425.
- 7.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Oboe concerto
Performer: Jonathan Small (oboe) Performer:Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Vernon Handley
- EMI; CDEMX2179.
Broadcasts
- Tue 4 Jun 201312:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 4 Jun 201318:30BBC Radio 3
- Tue 12 Aug 201418:00BBC Radio 3
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