Symphony No. 8

Vaughan Williams in 1951

Although this is the shortest of Vaughan Williams’ symphonies, the Eighth Symphony still includes a huge wealth of musical expression, and contains a percussion section including “all the ‘phones and ‘spiels known to the composer”, according to the composer himself.

Dedicated to Sir John Barbirolli, who conducted the première in 1956, it is generally optimistic in mood. The variation form of the first movement (variations on “no definite theme”) illustrates various facets of Vaughan Williams’ style.

The scherzo of the second movement is for wind only, and the slow third movement is for strings, before the full orchestra is combined again in the virtuosic toccata of the final movement.

See Symphony No. 8 live:

Sat 31 May 2008, 7:30pm
Royal Festival Hall, London (find out more)

Wed 21 May 2008, 7:30pm
Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford (find out more)