Symphony No. 4

Vaughan Williams in 1935

The Fourth Symphony marks a significant change of Vaughan Williams’ style from the preceding symphonies, with a harsher and more dissonant harmonic style. This new style does not detract from an overall boisterous and tempestuous mood.

As the symphony was completed in 1934, some commentators interpreted it as a reflection of an increasingly dangerous international situation, an interpretation which Vaughan Williams vigorously refuted.

It has been said that the symphony even contains elements of self-portraiture, with Vaughan Williams’ “outbursts of temper… his gusty humour and ribaldry” appearing between the formal processes and orchestral discords that he was experimenting with.

See Symphony No. 4 live:

Thu 6 November 2008, 7:30pm
Royal Festival Hall, London (find out more)