Holst and Vaughan Williams: Making Music English
Historian Amanda Vickery and broadcaster Tom Service unearth the fascinating story of the lifelong friendship between composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst.
Historian Amanda Vickery and broadcaster Tom Service unearth the fascinating story of the lifelong friendship between composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst, whose music gave birth to the 'English sound' in the first half of the 20th century.
They retrace the walking trips the two composers took together across the country to discover how influences ranging from the Renaissance masters to folk music imbued their music with the 'Englishness' we recognise today. Illustrating the story, the BBC Concert Orchestra perform excerpts of both composers' music.
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Music Played
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis
Orchestra: Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Patrick Thomas.![]()
Gustav Holst
The Planets, Op.32:1. Mars, The Bringer of War
Performer: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: George Hurst.![]()
Gustav Holst
Mars (The Bringer of War) From The Planets – Suite, op.32
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Lark Ascending
Conductor: Adrian Boult. Performer: Hugh Bean.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Amanda Vickery |
| Presenter | Tom Service |
| Conductor | Barry Wordsworth |
| Executive Producer | Ben Weston |
| Executive Producer | Elizabeth Hartford |
| Director | Alastair Laurence |
| Production Manager | Lisa Quilter |
| Editor | Paul Binns |
| Performer | BBC Concert Orchestra |
| Production Company | Reef Television Ltd |
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