Vaughan Williams: Colour & Landscape
Wed 21 May 2008, 7:30pm
Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford
Richard Hickox conductor
Anthony Marwood violin
| Vaughan Williams | Symphony No. 8 |
|---|---|
| Vaughan Williams | The Lark Ascending |
| Vaughan Williams | Symphony No. 2, A London Symphony (original version) |
"I am thrilled to be conducting a programme of Vaughan Williams with the Philharmonia in Bedford. When I last visited in January, many of the audience were pleading that we should bring at least a part of our forthcoming Vaughan Williams cycle to Bedford, and what more thrilling programme to bring than this, which celebrates Vaughan Williams and 'the dance'. We open with the 8th Symphony. It is a work both joyous and poignant, and one of astonishing vitality and imagination for a composer already in his 80s! In the outer movements, he is using as never before exotic tuned percussion, which culminates in a glorious and triumphant finale. This is contrasted with a beautiful, elegiac movement for strings alone at the heart of the work. It is a piece teeming with invention and I marvel at it. The Lark Ascending needs little introduction. On Classic FM's 'Hall of Fame', it constantly stays near the top of the chart. It is an ethereal and ecstatic piece, which leaves us all spellbound." Richard Hickox
This concert is part of Vaughan Williams: The Pioneering Pilgrim, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the composer's death. Click here to visit the series mini-site.
Read Richard Hickox's biography
Read Anthony Marwood's biography.
This concert is part of Hear Here!, the UK’s first classical music project devoted to listening. For more information visit www.hearhere.org.uk
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“Portrait of Vaughan Williams”
Includes Three Shakespeare Songs; The Wasps – Overture; Tallis Fantasia; Oboe Concerto; The Lark Ascending, and selected chamber, vocal and choral works
Various artists
Nimbus NI 1754 (4 CDs)
