Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 01 | The Young Radical | 20220502 | Donald Macleod considers the profound influence Vaughan Williams's liberal-minded upbringing brought to bear on his thinking and his musical ambitions. Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the UK's most significant musical figures. This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, marking the 150th anniversary of his birth, Donald will be telling Vaughan Williams's life story and exploring his music in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes. Interleaved with Donald's in-depth narrative accounts, some of our leading authorities on Vaughan Williams will be joining him to share new perspectives. They'll be unpacking the overlooked and less well-known aspects of a composer whose body of work and diverse interests have made such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. The first week of this landmark series will focus on Vaughan Williams's formative years, and his earliest works. It could be said that Vaughan Williams was pre-destined to be a leading figure in the musical life of Great Britain. He was born in 1872 with, in his own words, 'a small silver spoon in his mouth' and his mother was part of the Wedgwood and Darwin dynasties. Charles Darwin was Vaughan Williams' great uncle. Raised, after his father's early death, in the matriarchal family home Leith Hill Place in Surrey, young Ralph was encouraged in the pursuit of knowledge from an early age. The values he was exposed to growing up are reflected in his social awareness later on. He wrote music for every kind of setting, from the concert hall to the village hall. We'll follow his development from his very first attempt at writing music, Robin's Nest, to the assurance of his London Symphony. Today, Donald follows Vaughan Williams' first steps towards a life in music. Far from being a child prodigy, according to his mother's cousin Ralph had been 'playing all his life' and yet wasn't able 'to play the simplest thing decently!'. Yet, with his family's blessing, Vaughan Williams' dedication to music would win the day. The Lark Ascending (excerpt) Janine Jansen, violin Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Barry Wordsworth, conductor A vision of aeroplanes (excerpt) Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir Victoria Adams, organ Nicholas Morris, organ Paul Spicer, conductor The Robin's Nest Frank Ericson, piano Quintet for Clarinet, Horn, and Piano Trio in D major I: Allegro moderato Nash Ensemble Bucolic Suite II. Andante IV. Finale. Allegro Royal Scottish National Orchestra Martin Yates, conductor Songs of Travel 3. The Roadside Fire 4. Youth and Love Gerald Finley, baritone Stephen Ralls, piano In the Fen Country Rheinland-Pfalz Philharmonic Karl-Heinz Steffens, conductor Donald Macleod considers the effects of Vaughan Williams's character-building childhood. | |
| 2022 | 02 | British Sensibilities | 20220503 | Donald Macleod finds Vaughan Williams broadening his musical horizons through studies with Hubert Parry and Charles Stanford and acquiring a new passion for native folk song. Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the UK's most significant musical figures. This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much-loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, marking the 150th anniversary of his birth Donald will be telling Vaughan Williams's life story and exploring his music in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes. Interleaved with Donald's in-depth narrative accounts, some of our leading authorities on Vaughan Williams will be joining him to share new perspectives. They'll be unpacking the overlooked and less well-known aspects of a composer whose body of work and diverse interests have made such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. The first week of this landmark series focuses on Vaughan Williams's formative years, and his earliest works. It could be said that Vaughan Williams was pre-destined to be a leading figure in the musical life of Great Britain. He was born in 1872 with, in his own words, 'a small silver spoon in his mouth' and his mother was part of the Wedgwood and Darwin dynasties. Charles Darwin was Vaughan Williams' great uncle. Raised, after his father's early death, in the matriarchal family home Leith Hill Place in Surrey, young Ralph was encouraged in the pursuit of knowledge from an early age. The values he was exposed to growing up are reflected in his social awareness later on. He wrote music for every kind of setting, from the concert hall to the village hall. We'll follow his development from his very first attempt at writing music, Robin's Nest, to the assurance of his London Symphony. Today, we see Vaughan Williams arriving at the Royal College of Music in 1890 and discovering that he had some serious catching up to do. He knuckled down and soon enough was filling in the gaps in his knowledge of music. That didn't mean it was all plain sailing. His lessons with Stanford were far from congenial! Songs of Travel 1. The vagabond Christopher Maltman, baritone Roger Vignoles, piano Heroic elegy & Triumphal Epilogue I: Andante sostenuto Roderick Elms, organ BBC Concert Orchestra John Wilson, conductor Folk Songs from the Eastern Counties No 2 Tarry Trousers No 13 The Sheffield Apprentice No 15 Harry the Tailor Roderick Williams, baritone Nicky Spence, tenor William Vann, piano Norfolk Rhapsody no 1 in E minor London Symphony Orchestra Richard Hickox, conductor Five mystical songs The Call, arr. Harry D Bennett Apollo 5 Toward the Unknown Region Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra David Lloyd Jones, conductor Donald Macleod assesses the influence of Vaughan Williams's teachers Parry and Stanford. | |
| 2022 | 03 | Adventures Abroad | 20220504 | Donald Macleod charts Vaughan Williams's progress as the young composer seeks out Max Bruch in Berlin with the aim of broadening his musical skills. Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the UK's most significant musical figures. This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much-loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, marking the 150th anniversary of his birth Donald will be telling Vaughan Williams's life story and exploring his music in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes. Interleaved with Donald's in-depth narrative accounts, some of our leading authorities on Vaughan Williams will be joining him to share new perspectives. They'll be unpacking the overlooked and less well-known aspects of a composer whose body of work and diverse interests have made such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. The first week of this landmark series focuses on Vaughan Williams's formative years, and his earliest works. It could be said that Vaughan Williams was pre-destined to be a leading figure in the musical life of Great Britain. He was born in 1872 with, in his own words, 'a small silver spoon in his mouth' and his mother was part of the Wedgwood and Darwin dynasties. Charles Darwin was Vaughan Williams's great uncle. Raised, after his father's early death, in the matriarchal family home Leith Hill Place in Surrey, young Ralph was encouraged in the pursuit of knowledge from an early age. The values he was exposed to growing up are reflected in his social awareness later on. He wrote music for every kind of setting, from the concert hall to the village hall. We'll follow his development from his very first attempt at writing music, Robin's Nest, to the assurance of his London Symphony. In today's programme, Donald recounts how Vaughan Williams and his new bride made the most of their stay in Germany, filling their days with trips to the State Opera, concerts and visits to museums and galleries. The Water Mill Roderick Williams, baritone Iain Burnside, piano The last invocation for soprano, baritone and violin with piano Mary Bevan, soprano Johnny Herford, baritone Thomas Gould, violin William Vann, piano A Sea Symphony III: The Waves I: A song for all Seas (excerpt) Hall退 Choir Hall退 Youth Choir Schola Cantorum Ad solem Hall退 Orchestra Mark Elder, conductor The Garden of Proserpine (excerpt) Jane Irwin, soprano Joyful Company of Singers Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Paul Daniel, conductor Five mystical songs Love bade me welcome Simon Keenlyside, baritone Graham Johnson, piano The Wasps - Overture London Philharmonic Orchestra Adrian Boult Donald Macleod finds Vaughan Williams adding to his knowledge through studies with Bruch. | |
| 2022 | 04 | French Fever | 20220505 | Donald Macleod charts how Vaughan Williams was freed from a creative block by a period of study with Ravel in Paris. Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the UK's most significant musical figures. This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much-loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, marking the 150th anniversary of his birth Donald will be telling Vaughan Williams's life story and exploring his music in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes. Interleaved with Donald's in-depth narrative accounts, some of our leading authorities on Vaughan Williams will be joining him to share new perspectives. They'll be unpacking the overlooked and less well-known aspects of a composer whose body of work and diverse interests have made such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. The first week of this landmark series focuses on Vaughan Williams's formative years, and his earliest works. It could be said that Vaughan Williams was pre-destined to be a leading figure in the musical life of Great Britain. He was born in 1872 with, in his own words, 'a small silver spoon in his mouth' and his mother was part of the Wedgwood and Darwin dynasties. Charles Darwin was Vaughan Williams' great uncle. Raised, after his father's early death, in the matriarchal family home Leith Hill Place in Surrey, young Ralph was encouraged in the pursuit of knowledge from an early age. The values he was exposed to growing up are reflected in his social awareness later on. He wrote music for every kind of setting, from the concert hall to the village hall. We'll follow his development from his very first attempt at writing music, Robin's Nest, to the assurance of his London Symphony. It was a bold decision on Vaughan Williams's part to seek out Ravel. After a sticky start, the year he spent there proved to be a transformative and liberating experience. On Wenlock Edge I: On Wenlock Edge III: Is my team ploughing? Andrew Kennedy, tenor Simon Crawford-Phillips, piano Dante Quartet The sky above the roof Carolyn Sampson, soprano Joseph Middleton, piano L'amour de Moy Quant li louseignolz jolis, arr. Vaughan Williams Roderick Williams, baritone William Vann, piano String Quartet no 1 in G minor I: Allegro moderato Maggini Quartet Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis I: Largo sostenuto City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Mirga Grainyt?-Tyla, conductor Phantasy Quintet IV: Burlesca, alla moderato The Nash Ensemble A London Symphony Scherzo London Symphony Orchestra Richard Hickox, conductor Donald Macleod assesses the importance of Vaughan Williams's period of study with Ravel. | |
| 2022 | 05 LAST | Early Works | 20220506 | 20221010 (R3) | Donald Macleod and Ceri Owen discuss Vaughan Williams' early development, following a trajectory which shows the emerging composer drawing on a wide range of influences In the week of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' birth, Donald Macleod revisits a series of conversations he recorded earlier in the year with leading authorities on the composer. Each day he explores a new area of Vaughan Williams' life and music; shedding light on his central role in Britain's musical story, his posthumous impact and how we respond to him today. Part of Radio 3's ongoing season, `Vaughan Williams' Today`, marking the composer's 150th anniversary year. Today, the academic, writer and pianist Ceri Owen joins Donald in a discussion about Vaughan Williams' early preoccupations. Together they follow a trajectory of development which shows the emerging composer drawing on a surprisingly wide range of national and international influences. Linden Lea Bryn Terfel, baritone Malcolm Martineau, piano Serenade in A minor IV: Romance Royal Scottish National Orchestra Martin Yates, conductor Harnham Down Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Paul Daniel, conductor On Wenlock Edge Oh, when I was in love with you Bredon Hill Mark Padmore, tenor Britten Sinfonia Huw Watkins, piano The Seeds of Love, arr. Vaughan Williams Mary Bevan, soprano William Vann, piano Jack Liebeck, violin A Sea Symphony II. On the Beach at Night Alone (Largo sostenuto) Roderick Williams, baritone Hall退 Choir Hall退 Youth Choir Schola Cantorum Ad solem Hall退 Orchestra Mark Elder, conductor Producer Johannah Smith Donald Macleod and Ceri Owen discuss Vaughan Williams the emerging composer |
| 2022 | 06 | To War And Back Again | 20220509 | Vaughan Williams stopped composing while he was engaged in active service during the Great War, but he made up for that silence in the succeeding years. Presented by Donald Macleod. All this month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much-loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth. He'll unpack Vaughan Williams's life story in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and leading authorities on the composer will join him to share their new perspectives. They'll be exploring some of the overlooked aspects of his life and music, as well as the qualities that have left such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. This week Donald chronicles Vaughan Williams's life through the years 1914 to 1930. When war was declared, although he was 42 Vaughan Williams immediately joined up. He was accepted as an ambulance orderly with the rank of private. Throughout the war, wherever he was posted throughout Europe, he made music with anyone and everyone. He spent much of his spare time starting up a singing class, training a choir, getting together whoever was available, whenever they had a break in their duties. Even though he didn't `compose` during the war years, his own music did stir. He said of his Third Symphony, `a great deal of it incubated when I used to go up night after night with the ambulance wagon at Ecoivres and we went up a steep hill and there was a wonderful Corot-like landscape in the sunset - it's not really lambkins frisking at all, as most people take for granted.` A Cotswold Romance (The Men of Cotsall) Thomas Randle, tenor Rosa Mannion, soprano Matthew Brook, baritone London Philharmonic Choir London Symphony Orchestra Richard Hickox, conductor Lord Thou Hast Been Our Refuge Tenebrae Christopher Deacon, trumpet James Sherlock, organ Nigel Short, director Symphony No 3 'Pastoral Symphony', IV. Lento Patricia Rozario, soprano BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Andrew Davis, conductor Motion and Stillness (4 Poems by Fredegond Shove) Roderick Williams, baritone Iain Burnside, pianist Four Nights' and 'The New Ghost' (4 Poems by Fredegond Shove) The Lark Ascending Nigel Kennedy, violin City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Simon Rattle, conductor Produced by Rosie Boulton Active service and amateur music-making during the Great War. With Donald Macleod. | |
| 2022 | 07 | All Change For A New Start | 20220510 | New teaching and conducting opportunities back in London and an exciting trip to the US for the overseas premiere of his Third Symphony. Presented by Donald Macleod. All this month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much-loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth. He'll unpack Vaughan Williams's life story in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and leading authorities on the composer will join him to share their new perspectives. They'll be exploring some of the overlooked aspects of his life and music, as well as the qualities that have left such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. This week Donald chronicles Vaughan Williams's life through the years 1914 to 1930. VW was finally demobilised in February 1919 and returned from the war aged 47. Despite the hugely traumatic things he'd experienced in the previous five years, outwardly he gave the impression of being relatively emotionally unscathed. But there's no doubt that the war had radically changed his outlook on life and his career and his art. Initially he joined his wife Adeline at Sheringham on the Norfolk coast and, having not composed at all during the war, it was now like a cork coming out of a bottle - the next few years were going to be very prolific. O Clap Your Hands Choir of King's College, Cambridge English Chamber Orchestra Conducted By David Willcocks, conductor Concerto Accademico James Buswell, violin London Symphony Orchestra Andr退 Previn, conductor Piano Suite in G Major (excerpt) Peter Jacobs, piano Mass in G minor The Choir of New College Oxford Edward Higginbottom, director Produced by Rosie Boulton New opportunities back in London and a trip to the US, presented by Donald Macleod. | |
| 2022 | 08 | Dramatic Works | 20220511 | 20221011 (R3) | Donald Macleod is joined by Eric Saylor to discuss a significant area of Vaughan Williams' output that he cared about deeply but which is often overlooked - his music for the stage. In the week of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' birth, Donald Macleod revisits a series of conversations he recorded earlier in the year with leading authorities on the composer. Each day he explores a new area of Vaughan Williams' life and music; shedding light on his central role in Britain's musical story, his posthumous impact and how we respond to him today. Part of Radio 3's ongoing season, `Vaughan Williams' Today`, marking the composer's 150th anniversary year. Today, Donald invites Eric Saylor, author to guide us through some of Vaughan Williams many dramatic works which include masques, pageants, incidental music for stage plays, 6 operas, several ballets, and incidental music scores for both radio and film. Together, they also consider Vaughan Williams' enduring fascination with John Bunyan's story Pilgrim's Progress. Eric discusses the idea of English Pastoralism and whether we should view it as backward looking and nave, or as a more progressive cultural movement. In Windsor Forest (Falstaff And The Fairies) Catharine Rogers, soprano Choir of Clare College, Cambridge English Voices Dmitri Ensemble Sir David Willcocks, conductor The Pilgrim's Progress: Act IV Scene 2 `The Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains: Who so dwelleth - (excerpt) Gerald Finley, bass-baritone (The Pilgrim) Roderick Williams, baritone (First Shepherd) Mark Padmore, tenor (Second Shepherd) Jeremy White, bass (Third Shepherd) Royal Opera House Orchestra Richard Hickox, conductor The Pilgrim's Progress: Act III Scene 1 `I buy the truth!` (excerpt) Adrian Thompson, tenor (Lord Lechery) Jonathan Fisher, bass (Demas) John Kerr, baritone (Judas Iscariot) Christopher Keyte, bass (Simon Magus) Neil Gillespie, tenor (Worldly Glory) Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus Riders to the Sea (Where is she?) Northern Sinfonia Riders to the Sea (They are all gone now) Linda Finnie, mezzo-soprano Job - A Masque for Dancing (excerpt) BBC Symphony Orchestra Andrew Davis, conductor Valliant for Truth The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge Timothy Brown, director Produced by Rosie Boulton Donald Macleod talks to Eric Saylor about Vaughan Williams' music for the stage |
| 2022 | 09 | Cities And Country | 20220512 | Donald Macleod follows Vaughan Williams as he puts on an oratorio during riots, enjoys walking with friends and makes a move to the country. All this month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much-loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth. He'll unpack Vaughan Williams's life story in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and leading authorities on the composer will join him to share their new perspectives. They'll be exploring some of the overlooked aspects of his life and music, as well as the qualities that have left such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. This week Donald chronicles Vaughan Williams' life through the years 1914 to 1930. Vaughan Williams's oratorio Sancta Civitas was first performed in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, on the 7th of May, 1926, the fourth day of the General Strike. The transport network was crippled, the printing presses ground to a halt and food deliveries were held up. Riots broke out across the country. The composer continued to regularly escape from the capital to go on walking tours with friends like fellow composer, Gustav Holst. They particularly enjoyed walking in Dorset or Wiltshire, where there was a special joy in `an infinity of larks rising above the bleached grass` on Salisbury Plain. Early in October 1927 Adeline Vaughan Williams had a bad fall in their house in Cheyne Walk. They needed to move home and thought about buying flat in London, but Adeline longed to live in the country so they began to look for a house near Dorking. It meant that Vaughan Williams would have to give up conducting the Bach Choir, which was a source of deep sadness to him. Old King Cole Northern Sinfonia Richard Hickox, conductor Philip Langridge, tenor Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone Choir of St Paul's Cathedral London Symphony Chorus London Symphony Orchestra Merciless Beauty, Three Rondels by Geoffrey Chaucer Ian Partridge, tenor Music Group Of London Flos Campi Paul Silverthorne, viola Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Paul Daniel, conductor Produced by Rosie Boulton Walking with friends and a move to the country. Presented by Donald Macleod. | |
| 2022 | 10 | Relationships | 20220513 | Donald Macleod explores a significant friendship and Vaughan Williams's lifelong commitment to amateur music making in England. All this month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at this much-loved composer as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season, celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth. He'll unpack Vaughan Williams's life story in fascinating detail over the course of four weeks and leading authorities on the composer will join him to share their new perspectives. They'll be exploring some of the overlooked aspects of his life and music, as well as the qualities that have left such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. This week Donald chronicles Vaughan Williams's life through the years 1914 to 1930. Vaughan Williams's former pupil, Ivor Gurney, had served in the war and been shell-shocked, gassed and wounded in the battle at Passchendaele. He had struggled with severe depression and was committed to an asylum in 1922. Ralph and his wife, Adeline, visited Gurney over a period of 15 years until he died in the asylum. Donald also traces the composer's connection to the Leith Hill Music Festivals, a vitally important thread through Vaughan Williams' life. They represented his continued and sincere commitment to British music making and to amateur music making in particular. Apart from the interruptions of two world wars, he conducted every festival until 1953 and then continued as guest conductor until 1958, the year of his death. O vos omnes Hugh Cutting The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge Andrew Nethsingha Job - A Masque for Dancing BBC Symphony Orchestra Andrew Davis, conductor 3 Poems by Walt Whitman (Nocturne) Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, tenor Graham Johnson, piano 3 Choral Hymns The Choir of Clare College Cambridge Timothy Brown, conductor Sir John in Love (excerpt) Northern Sinfonia Chorus Richard Hickox, conductor Produced by Rosie Boulton Deep friendships and a lifelong commitment to amateur music. With Donald Macleod. | |
| 2022 | 11 | Personal Difficulties | 20220516 | This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at one of Britain's most popular composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season - marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Alongside programmes which delve into Vaughan Williams's life story and music in fascinating depth, over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes, Donald will also be talking to some of the leading authorities on Vaughan Williams to share and explore share new perspectives on a variety of overlooked and less well known aspects his life and work, forming a comprehensive and absorbing portrait of a composer whose body of work has had such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. In the third week of this landmark series, Donald will focus on the years 1931-1947, a dramatic period in not just Vaughan Williams's life, but in the wider world too, encompassing the second World War. Vaughan Williams was 67 when Britain and France declared war on the Reich, so too old for active service, but he threw himself into contributing wherever he could to the war effort. Musically, this was another period when the composer suffered from a crisis of failing inspiration and creative drought as the political turmoil deepened around him, but it would also give rise to some of his finest music, including three of his best regarded Symphonies - numbers 4, 5 and 6. In Monday's programme, Donald explores the series of difficulties which blighted Vaughan Williams's personal life during the early 1930s, and music which arose from the frustration he felt at these issues, combined with his anxiety at the troubles of the wider world in this period of ominous political uncertainty and change. Into the Woods my Master Went Robert Court (organ) Cardiff Festival Choir Owain Hughes (director) Fantasia on Greensleeves Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Manze (conductor) Piano Concerto in C major - I. Toccata; II. Romanza Louis Lortie (piano) Toronto Symphony Orchestra Peter Oundjian (conductor) Symphony no. 4 in F minor - III. Scherzo; IV. Finale con epilogo fugato BBC Symphony Orchestra Martyn Brabbins (conductor) The Running Set London Symphony Orchestra Richard Hickox (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod explores Vaughan Williams's troubles during the early 1930s. | |
| 2022 | 12 | Turning Tides | 20220517 | This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at one of Britain's most popular composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season - marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Alongside programmes which delve into Vaughan Williams's life story and music in fascinating depth, over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes, Donald will also be talking to some of the leading authorities on Vaughan Williams to share and explore share new perspectives on a variety of overlooked and less well known aspects his life and work, forming a comprehensive and absorbing portrait of a composer whose body of work has had such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. In the third week of this landmark series, Donald will focus on the years 1931-1947, a dramatic period in not just Vaughan Williams's life, but in the wider world too, encompassing the second World War. Vaughan Williams was 67 when Britain and France declared war on the Reich, so too old for active service, but he threw himself into contributing wherever he could to the war effort. Musically, this was another period when the composer suffered from a crisis of failing inspiration and creative drought as the political turmoil deepened around him, but it would also give rise to some of his finest music, including three of his best regarded Symphonies - numbers 4, 5 and 6. In the wake of the deaths of Elgar and Holst, Vaughan Williams was hailed as Britain's greatest living composer. In Tuesday's programme, Donald explores how, as he increasingly became the musical face of the establishment, Vaughan Williams became estranged from a younger generation of British composers. And as the wider world slides towards war, the composer suffers from a creative crisis. 5 Tudor Portraits - V. Jolly Rutterkin Henry Herford (baritone) Guildford Choral Society Philharmonia Orchestra Hilary Davan Wetton (conductor) Two Hymn-Tune Preludes Bournemouth Sinfonietta George Hurst (conductor) Festival Te Deum in F Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford English String Orchestra Stephen Darlington (conductor) Riders to the sea - Act I: ` - and may he have mercy on my soul` Linda Finnie (mezzo-soprano) Northern Sinfonia and Northern Sinfonia Chorus Richard Hickox (conductor) Serenade to Music (Orchestral Version) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Manze (conductor) Epithalamion - The Lover's Song Philip Smith (baritone) Joyful Company of Singers Britten Sinfonia Alan Tongue (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips Amid acclaim, Vaughan Williams suffers a creative block. Donald Macleod presents. | |
| 2022 | 13 | Entering Enchanted Woods | 20220518 | This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at one of Britain's most popular composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season - marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Alongside programmes which delve into Vaughan Williams' life story and music in fascinating depth, over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes, Donald will also be talking to some of the leading authorities on Vaughan Williams to share and explore share new perspectives on a variety of overlooked and less well known aspects his life and work, forming a comprehensive and absorbing portrait of a composer whose body of work has had such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. In the third week of this landmark series, Donald will focus on the years 1931-1947, a dramatic period in not just Vaughan Williams's life, but in the wider world too, encompassing the second World War. Vaughan Williams was 67 when Britain and France declared war on the Reich, so too old for active service, but he threw himself into contributing wherever he could to the war effort. Musically, this was another period when the composer suffered from a crisis of failing inspiration and creative drought as the political turmoil deepened around him, but it would also give rise to some of his finest music, including three of his best regarded Symphonies - numbers 4, 5 and 6. Today, Donald explores how Vaughan Williams threw himself into the war effort - writing music for propaganda films, collecting aluminium for aircraft, volunteering as an Air Raid Warden, filling sandbags, and as part of his efforts `digging for victory` becoming an advocate of activated sludge'. Meanwhile a new creative and romantic force enters the composer's life. Epithamalion - Song of the Winged Love Joyful Company of Singers Britten Sinfonia Alan Tongue (conductor) Bushes and Briars Gabrieli Consort Paul McCreesh (director) Symphony no. 5 in D major - IV. Passacaglia Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Manze (conductor) Dona Nobis Pacem - I. Agnus Dei, II. Beat! Beat! Drums!, III. Reconciliation Thomas Allen (baritone) Judith Howarth (soprano) Corydon Orchestra and Singers Matthew Best (conductor) Coastal Command Suite: Finale RTE Symphony Orchestra Andrew Penny (conductor) 5 variants of Dives and Lazarus Hall退 Orchestra Mark Elder (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips A new creative and romantic force enters Vaughan Williams's life. Donald Macleod presents. | |
| 2022 | 14 | Fireworks And Searchlights | 20220519 | This month, Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at one of Britain's most popular composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season - marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Alongside programmes which delve into Vaughan Williams's life story and music in fascinating depth, over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes, Donald will also be talking to some of the leading authorities on Vaughan Williams to share and explore share new perspectives on a variety of overlooked and less well known aspects his life and work, forming a comprehensive and absorbing portrait of a composer whose body of work has had such an enduring imprint on British cultural life. In the third week of this landmark series, Donald will focus on the years 1931-1947, a dramatic period in not just Vaughan Williams' life, but in the wider world too, encompassing the Second World War. Vaughan Williams was 67 when Britain and France declared war on the Reich, so too old for active service, but he threw himself into contributing wherever he could to the war effort. Musically, this was another period when the composer suffered from a crisis of failing inspiration and creative drought as the political turmoil deepened around him, but it would also give rise to some of his finest music, including three of his best regarded Symphonies - numbers 4, 5 and 6. Today, Donald explores Vaughan Williams's life as World War II drew to its close, and how he fared in post-war Britain as he celebrated both his seventy-fifth birthday, and his golden wedding anniversary. There is also the premiere of a work which stunned audiences and critics alike - his Sixth Symphony. 49th Parallel - The Invaders National Philharmonic Bernard Herrmann (conductor) Partita for Double String Orchestra - IV. Fantasia London Festival Orchestra Ross Pople (conductor) Concerto for Oboe and Strings in A minor - III. Finale Nicholas Daniel (oboe & conductor) Britten Sinfonia Symphony No 3, 'Pastoral Symphony' (excerpt) London Symphony Orchestra Andre Previn Song of Thanksgiving (excerpt) Sir John Gielgud (narrator) Lynne Dawson (soprano) Corydon Singers The London Oratory Junior Choir City of London Sinfonia John Scott (organ) Matthew Best (conductor) Symphony No.6 in E minor - II. Moderato; III. Scherzo Antonio Pappano (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod explores Vaughan Williams's life as the war drew to its end. | |
| 2022 | 15 | The Symphonies With Martyn Brabbins | 20220520 | 20221012 (R3) | Donald Macleod and conductor Martyn Brabbins explore Vaughan Williams' Symphonies. In the week of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' birth, Donald Macleod revisits a series of conversations he recorded earlier in the year with leading authorities on the composer. Each day he explores a new area of Vaughan Williams' life and music; shedding light on his central role in Britain's musical story, his posthumous impact and how we respond to him today. Part of Radio 3's ongoing season, `Vaughan Williams' Today`, marking the composer's 150th anniversary year. Today, Donald is joined by conductor Martyn Brabbins to explore the many worlds of Vaughan Williams' 9 Symphonies - from his epic first `A Sea Symphony` to his enigmatic, drifting final work in the form - the 9th. Symphony no. 2 `A London Symphony` - IV. Andante con moto (excerpt) BBC Symphony Orchestra Martyn Brabbins (conductor) Symphony no. 7 `Sinfonia Antartica` - V. Epilogue (excerpt) Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Andrew Davis (conductor) Symphony no.1 `A Sea Symphony` - I. A Song for all Sea, all Ships (excerpt) Katherine Broderick (soprano) Roderick Williams (baritone) Hall退 Orchestra and Choir, Hall退 Youth Choir Schola Cantorum of Oxford Ad Solem Sir Mark Elder (conductor) Symphony no 9 in E minor - IV. Andante tranquillo - poco animato (excerpt) Symphony no.5 in D major - III. Romanza (excerpt) American Symphony Orchestra Leon Botstein (conductor) Symphony no.5 in D major - I. Preludio Symphony no 6 in E minor - III. Scherzo (excerpt) Academy of St Martin in the Fields Neville Marriner (conductor) Symphony no. 4 in F minor - I. Allegro (excerpt) London Symphony Orchestra Andre Previn (conductor) Symphony no. 6 in E minor- IV. Epilogue New Philharmonia Orchestra Adrian Boult (conductor) Symphony no. 8 in D minor - IV. Toccata London Philharmonic Orchestra Vladimir Jurowski (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips |
| 2022 | 16 | 1948-1951 Nostalgia For Spring | 20220523 | Donald Macleod explores the late 1940s and early 50s as Adeline's arthritis becomes increasingly worse, and Vaughan Williams - now in his mid-70s - begins to feel his age. This month, Donald Macleod takes a new look at one of Britain's best loved composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season - marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes, Donald will be delving into Vaughan Williams's life story and work in intriguing detail, and he'll also be talking to some of the leading authorities on Vaughan Williams to share and explore fresh perspectives on a variety of overlooked and less well known aspects of his life and work, forming a comprehensive and absorbing portrait of a composer whose body of work has had such an enduring impact on British cultural life. In this, the final week of Composer of the Week's landmark series, Donald will focus primarily on the years 1948-1958, the final decade of Vaughan Williams's life. The composer was, by this point recognised as the Grand Old Man of English music, and for a younger generation of British composers had begun to represent the establishment. He was also beginning to feel his age but was still managing to surprise critics with some of his new works, and he showed little sign of slowing down, continuing to lead a busy life, and launching into new endeavours too: foreign travels which included a major tour of the US, a major house move, and, following the death of Adeline, a second marriage. Donald will also be speaking to Vaughan Williams experts Ceri Owen and Alain Frogley about Adeline Fisher and Ursula Wood, Vaughan Williams's two wives, and about Vaughan Williams's legacy, and the changing reception to his music since his death. In Monday's programme, Donald explores the late 40s and early 50s as Adeline's arthritis becomes increasingly worse, and Vaughan Williams - now in his mid-70s - begins to suffer from a series of aches and pains, and sees his first real concert hall failure. Symphony no. 6 in E minor - I. Allegro Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Andrew Manze, conductor Prayer to the Father of Heaven Worcester Cathedral Choir Christopher Robinson, director An Oxford Elegy (excerpt) Simon Callow, narrator Tenebrae Aurora Orchestra Nigel Short, conductor Concerto Grosso for strings New Zealand Symphony Orchestra James Judd, conductor Pilgrim's Progress - House Beautiful John Noble, baritone (The Pilgrim) Sheila Armstrong, soprano; Marie Hayward, soprano; Gloria Jennings, mezzo-soprano (Three Shining Ones) Ian Partridge, tenor (Interpreter) London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra Sir Adrian Boult, conductor Producer: Sam Phillips Vaughan Williams, now in his mid-70s, begins to feel his age. Donald Macleod presents. | |
| 2022 | 17 | Ralph, Adeline And Ursula With Ceri Owen | 20220524 | 20221013 (R3) | Donald Macleod and Ceri Owen discuss Vaughan Williams's two wives, and their vital contribution to his story. In the week of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' birth, Donald Macleod revisits a series of conversations he recorded earlier in the year with leading authorities on the composer. Each day he explores a new area of Vaughan Williams' life and music; shedding light on his central role in Britain's musical story, his posthumous impact and how we respond to him today. Part of Radio 3's ongoing season, `Vaughan Williams' Today`, marking the composer's 150th anniversary year. Today, Donald talks to Dr Ceri Owen, who offers a fresh fresh view of Vaughan Williams' two wives - Adeline Fisher and Ursula Wood - their own creative lives, and their role in the composer's success. Sons of Light - III. The Messengers of Speech Teresa Cahill, soprano Bach Choir Royal College of Music Chamber Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra Sir David Willcocks, conductor Four Last Songs Roderick Williams, baritone Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Andrew Davis, conductor 3 Impressions: II. The Solent Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Paul Daniel, conductor Let Beauty Awake; In dreams; Infinite Shining Heavens; Whither must I wander; Bright is the ring of words (Songs of Travel) Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone Malcolm Martineau, piano Producer: Sam Phillips Donald Macleod and Ceri Owen offer a fresh perspective on Vaughan Williams's two wives. |
| 2022 | 18 | 1951-1954, Celebrations | 20220525 | After his wife's death, Vaughan Williams throws himself back into life and celebrates his eightieth birthday! Donald Macleod presents. This month, Donald Macleod takes a new look at one of Britain's best loved composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season - marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes, Donald will be delving into Vaughan Williams's life story and work in intriguing detail, and he'll also be talking to some of the leading authorities on Vaughan Williams to share and explore fresh perspectives on a variety of overlooked and less well known aspects of his life and work, forming a comprehensive and absorbing portrait of a composer whose body of work has had such an enduring impact on British cultural life. In this, the final week of Composer of the Week's landmark series, Donald will focus primarily on the years 1948-1958, the final decade of Vaughan Williams's life. The composer was, by this point recognised as the Grand Old Man of English music, and for a younger generation of British composers had begun to represent the establishment. He was also beginning to feel his age but was still managing to surprise critics with some of his new works, and he showed little sign of slowing down, continuing to lead a busy life, and launching into new endeavours too: foreign travels which included a major tour of the US, a major house move, and, following the death of Adeline, a second marriage. Donald will also be speaking to Vaughan Williams experts Ceri Owen and Alain Frogley about Adeline Fisher and Ursula Wood, Vaughan Williams's two wives, and about Vaughan Williams' legacy, and the changing reception to his music since his death. Today, Donald explores how after his wife Adeline's death, Vaughan Williams threw himself back into life: meeting Churchill, contributing music for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and travelling to the US to see the Grand Canyon. He also celebrates his eightieth birthday with a whole host of parties, and moves back to the hubbub of London as a newly-wed, with his second wife, Ursula. Three Shakespeare Songs Tenebrae Nigel Short, director Romance in D flat for harmonica & strings Larry Adler, harmonica Eric Gritton, piano BBC Symphony Orchestra Sir Malcolm Sargent, conductor Old Hundredth Gabrieli Roar Gabrieli Consort and Players Matthew Martin, Organ Paul McCreesh, conductor Silence and Music Symphony 7 Sinfonia Antartica' - III. Landscape - Lento Bergen Philharmonic Sir Andrew Davis, conductor Turtle dove; Dark-Eyed Sailor; John Dory A. Stratton McAllister, baritone Cornell University Chorus Robert Hull, director Producer: Sam Phillips Vaughan Williams celebrates his eightieth birthday. Donald Macleod presents. | |
| 2022 | 19 | 1955-58 : The End | 20220526 | Donald Macleod explores the final, happy years of Vaughan Williams's life, combining foreign travel with a busy social life in London and completing his final two symphonies. This month, Donald Macleod takes a new look at one of Britain's best loved composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as part of Radio 3's 'Vaughan Williams Today' season - marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. Over the course of four weeks and twenty programmes, Donald will be delving into Vaughan Williams' life story and work in intriguing detail, and he'll also be talking to some of the leading authorities on Vaughan Williams to share and explore fresh perspectives on a variety of overlooked and less well known aspects of his life and work, forming a comprehensive and absorbing portrait of a composer whose body of work has had such an enduring impact on British cultural life. In this, the final week of Composer of the Week's landmark series, Donald will focus primarily on the years 1948-1958, the final decade of Vaughan Williams's life. The composer was, by this point recognised as the Grand Old Man of English music, and for a younger generation of British composers had begun to represent the establishment. He was also beginning to feel his age but was still managing to surprise critics with some of his new works, and he showed little sign of slowing down, continuing to lead a busy life, and launching into new endeavours too: foreign travels which included a major tour of the US, a major house move, and, following the death of Adeline, a second marriage. Donald will also be speaking to Vaughan Williams experts Ceri Owen and Alain Frogley about Adeline Fisher and Ursula Wood, Vaughan Williams's two wives, and about Vaughan Williams's legacy, and the changing reception to his music since his death. Today, Donald explores the final, happy years of the composer's life, which saw him broaden his geographical horizons with a series of foreign travels, receive a standing ovation at the Royal Festival Hall for his eighty-fifth birthday, and complete his Eighth and Ninth Symphonies. He also has an interesting encounter with a gypsy traveller Juanita Berlin. Symphony no 8 in D minor - II. Scherzo alla marcia; III. Cavatina London Philharmonic Orchestra Vladimir Jurowski, conductor Vision of Aeroplanes Jeremiah Stephenson, organ The Choir of St Michael's Cornhill Jonathan Rennert, conductor Symphony no. 9 in E minor - IV. Andante tranquillo Bernard Haitink, conductor Prelude on Three Welsh Hymn Tunes Band of the Grenadier Guards Producer: Sam Phillips | |
| 2022 | 20 | Legacy With Alain Frogley | 20220527 | 20221014 (R3) | Donald Macleod and Alain Frogley explore changing attitudes to Vaughan Williams' music since his death. In the week of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' birth, Donald Macleod revisits a series of conversations he recorded earlier in the year with leading authorities on the composer. Each day he explores a new area of Vaughan Williams' life and music; shedding light on his central role in Britain's musical story, his posthumous impact and how we respond to him today. Part of Radio 3's ongoing season, `Vaughan Williams' Today`, marking the composer's 150th anniversary year. In the last of these wide-ranging conversations Donald is joined by Vaughan Williams expert Alain Frogley, Professor of Music History at the University of Connecticut to explore the changing attitudes to Vaughan Williams' music, tracking the reception of his work from the time of the composer's death in 1958, to the present day. Symphony no. 9 - II. Andante Sostenuto London Philharmonic Adrian Boult, conductor The Lover's Ghost Cambridge Singers John Rutter, director Suite from 49th Parallel (excerpt) BBC Philharmonic Rumon Gamba, conductor Nocturne: Whispers of Heavenly Death Roderick Williams, baritone BBC Symphony Orchestra Martyn Brabbins, conductor A London Symphony (1913 version) - IV. Finale (excerpt) London Symphony Orchestral Richard Hickox, conductor Producer: Sam Phillips |