VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - Symphony No 5 in D (3rd movement)

[saunders2159]

music that makes you swallow hard as your eyes moisten

[windstorm1000]

This is the music VW's friend, George Buterworth, might have written, had he survived the Great War--he was would have come back chastized, his ideals shattered--like VW.

[hedgehogdude123]

I am studying this piece of music for my Music A level and i must say it is a privilege to be able to study something so beautiful

[JaceXander]

@hedgehogdude123 Same here! This is my favourite movement :)

[Operalogie]

@nomorepinkowls It's a comment that has been made about the Third Symphony ('Pastoral' - the title explains the joke), and if I recall, it wasn't Copland's, but a famous (at the time) British musical critic's. But it's possible that Copland made a similar remark.

That being said, if find the Third even more extraordinary a piece than the Fifth. I don't think anything from Copland can rival with it, even though I truly love his 'Billy the Kid'.

[jlmusicfan57]

I remember in the summer of 1994 while on vacation in Europe on a tour, I was staying in the little town of Zermatt Switzerland. My hotel room had a direct view of the Matterhorn. As I sat outside staring at the beautiful spectacle that it this mountain, I had on this movement on my CD playing in my earphones. It was a crystal clear day, and with the music playing it represented one of the most beautiful moments that I have ever experienced in my life.

[shnimmuc]

The greatest symphony of the 20th century.. All movements are perfect.

[richardkelltoolmaker]

Blimey, I'm moved and enthralled by the music and at 1:09 is Ennerdale Water, West Cumbria. We have holidayed there many times. Thankyou !

[door2yourheart]

@richardkelltoolmaker Thanks Richard, you are a man of taste! I have stayed, camped, fell walked, just walked, fished most of Cumbria. That area, Ennerdale, Lorton Vale is a haven of peace and pastoral sublimity.

[nomorepinkowls]

Aaron Copland, on listening to Ralph Vaughan Williams' Fifth Symphony: Like staring at a cow for forty-five minutes.

[door2yourheart]

@nomorepinkowls Appalachian Spring is pretty much along the same lines, just far more simplistic, and possibly with a hog rather than a cow.

[manthasagittarius]

@door2yourheart Both of the works and their composers are wonderful. It is a pity Copland didn't understand this work or just didn't like it, but how about if we don't sink to his momentary lapse of taste or unfortunate animal comparisons?

[Operalogie]

@nomorepinkowls It's a comment that has been made about the Third Symphony ('Pastoral' - the title explains the joke), and if I recall, it wasn't Copland's, but a famous (at the time) British musical critic's. But it's possible that Copland made a similar remark.

That being said, if find the Third even more extraordinary a piece than the Fifth. I don't think anything from Copland can rival with it, even though I truly love his 'Billy the Kid'.

[txikilin]

@nomorepinkowls What else he could say when he wrote so much music for cow-boys.

[fhdjfkgh]

@nomorepinkow Was Copland really that stupid?

[windstorm1000]

@nomorepinkowls I love Aaron, but he was dead on wrong there.

[RemovdSande11]

amazing,

after only hearing 1 chord I know this is going to be a genious composition.

[mrotwist]

Ralph Vaughan Williams never wrote a bad piece of music.

With all due respects to Maestros Handley, Barbarolli, et al, one is hard pressed to find a more definitive interpreter of this great man's music that Sir Adrian Boult.This third movement of the Fifth is one of the most moving experiences in all the musical world. I never hear it without wet eyes because of its exquisite beauty.

[VestriDeusEstMortuus]

This movement, or symphony even is too underappreciated

[VestriDeusEstMortuus]

It's better than the lark ascending, quite frankly

[damenjai]

Such longing and beauty is expressed in this movement. One of my absolute favorite pieces of classical music.

[shnimmuc]

I would rate the VW symphonies as follows 5 4 6 2 9 8 7 3 1

I really do not like the first Symphony at all.

[shnimmuc]

VW is one of the great composers of the last century. Bartok liked many of his works. Another interesting composer is a kind of the VW of American composers. His name is robert Cummings. His Lacrymosa and Symphonic Alleluias are both posted on Youtube.

[rlneesam]

Beautiful graphics showing sensitivity to the great music. Door, please do the same for RVW's ninth.

Serenade?

[NemoProkofiev551]

It's sublime music! He was a precocious composer, apparently. Composed little ouvertures at age 6.

[brad42948]

I regard the third movement as the finest piece of music I have ever encountered; just so confident. The VH/RLPO performance is so sensitively observed.

[shnimmuc]

The greatest Symphony of the last century.

[rlneesam]

The ninth maybe the greatest of all time

[richardyingren]

I can't help but think of the way a consummate old time craftsman works, reminds me of 'the old men' ....pics are good too! thanks.

[justinl2309]

Surely the best VW 5th on record - a triumph of beauty and sadness. Handley was great and died so young. I must have listened to this a thousand times

[lewars1912]

Thanks for uploading this movement. For

me RVWs 5th remains his greatest and most perfect single achievement.

[door2yourheart]

Thank you for your kind comments lewars1912. I agree, the 5th is so sublime and also so poignant for that time of extreme conflict.

Yes, i'm not happy with the sound quality, and i keep promising myself to post a less image cluttered version so that the music will shine more. i.e. less pic bytes, more sound bytes!

[rlneesam]

What about the ninth and Serenade? Let's agree, his music is the greatest.

[jazzmunky]

RVW has been my favourite for a couple of years, especially the symphonies, unique style, often heartbreaking sad, interesting sense of rhythm

[Nudgie2009]

This is one of my favorite Vaughn Williams compositions - especially the Romanza - thank you so much!

[martinblasick]

He should be more famous. One of my top faves.

[MithraMusic]

Thank you so much for posting. Vaughan Williams is quickly gaining my favor in terms of composers. An incredible piece!

[door2yourheart]

You are welcome Mithra!

This is a bit sad, but it can be lovely to hear all VWs symphonies, and more while just taking lots of time out and laying on the couch. Not done that for a good while tho, OK!

[MithraMusic]

I know exactly what you mean. I lay down in bed, put on headphones, and just drift along with VW sometimes.

[TK42138]

Absolutely stunning work. This moves you at a level that goes beyond spirit. Achingly beautiful and haunting at the same time.

One day I'm hoping to make a film about Vaughn Williams. This composer needs far more recognition than is currently afforded to him. His music has never been equalled.

[door2yourheart]

Thank you for the coments TK. This piece nearly always gives me spine chills and involuntary tears.

Just as shame that the sound quality on this post is a bit wobbly!

[somnitel]

V-W is my favorite composer, and whenever i hear his work i can't help thinking, "Oh, the England we have lost."

Thank you for posting this.

[TK42138]

I see where you're coming from but

If we start accepting that we have 'lost' England, then it will happen. What we think, we manifest sooner or later... We all have to start thinking of good things - positive things. There's too much doom and gloom in the world. VW's music certainly lifts me out of the mental quagmire that modern life tries to dump us all in.

[door2yourheart]

I agree with both of you, but there will always be the pure essence of England, even if sadly it is only in protected pockets.

The landscape, the flora and fauna and the ever changing weather will always be there.

There will always be sanctuary from the evolving social changes.

Thank you both for your comments!

[MattWindsor91]

This symphony (I think - might be another Vaughan Williams) is going to be my set work for Music next year... I have no idea how I'm going to analyse it, it sounds too beautiful and smooth to be broken down into compositional devices...

[adammirfin929]

this is the piece for AQA music at A2 (second year A-level). Im doing it and its gonna be very difficult to break it apart and analyse all 4 movements

It is very good though. Looking forward to it

[TK42138]

One of the aspects of RVW is that just as you think you know what direction and emotional step his music takes, he then changes tack and you find the tone either darkens or uplifts. In my opinion, no other British composer does this with such conviction and ability.

[sharchaeologist]

This is the most beautiful music ever created

[marcosnardon]

Touching music! Viva Vaughan!

[fremlinskent]

This is just the most incredible music. Just listen and imagine any English landscape. I can see Glastonbury Tor, the South Downs, Box Hill, the Lake District, all in an instant.

[pawdaw]

I can't tell you how much i love this music, how much it means to me. Thank you for putting this up.

[door2yourheart]

Thank you for your comment pawdaw, Its lovely when some one can connect strongly with my favourite music.

[door2yourheart]

Sorry that i accidentally reduced sound quality by pictures at the expense of the music. A lesson learned!

[nils89]

simply one of the best pieces ever written.

[door2yourheart]

Totally agree!

[NonInflatable]

This glorious symphony was premiered in London in the summer of 1943.

With the outcome of the war uncertain and London still under night attack from the Luftwaffe, one can only imagine what it must have been like to hear this unbelievably beautiful music soaring in the Royal Albert Hall.

I would have wept.

I'm sure many in the Proms audience did.

Music like this shows the God-like greatness that Mankind can aspire to and achieve.

[door2yourheart]

Thank you for your excellent comment Nonin! I have the first performance as 1947, but i may be wrong. If you are correct, the connection between what was happening, and the sublime, faith enduring tenacity of this music would have been truly, and spiritually significant.

It is just my favourite and moving piece of music ever!

[NonInflatable]

Definitely 1943, and definitely during a summer PromsConcert in the Royal Albert Hall.

Just imagine......

[iraeich]

@NonInflatable Your comments are so spot on.

[pkp6dr9]

A MASTERPIECE,

[G1INF]

I have a recording of this symphony performed by the Halle Orchestra, conducted by RVW toward the end of the war. A singular expression of hope.

I also have a copy of Handley's interpretation, as here, and they are worlds apart technically. For what it's worth, this one is my preferred listen!

[wizardofwaste]

It is as if we are being brought to heaven. Though I've listened to this symphony for over 30 years, it still amazes me every single time. Just to think that this was written during the middle of WWII!

I agree that it's one of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century, and I thank you very kindly for posting this and hope many others fall under it's spell!

[door2yourheart]

Thank you for your comment, i totally agree with you. I am so disappointed with the sound quality tho. Had to reduce the Mbs due to too many pics. May try again.

[lewars1912]

I would like you to try again. Best wishes.

[starszen]

I saw this by the TSO last night!!!

I LOVED it!

[door2yourheart]

Your welcome! Its one of, if not my VERY fave pieces of music. Its defo one of those spine tinglers!

[kmweb01]

Thanks for uploading. I recently heard it performed at the NAC by the TSO. This movement was just outstanding.

[Dorkmeister9988]

I saw it by the TSO last night to, it was so good!

[door2yourheart]

Thanks for the appreciation Hamgammy. The quality of my recording is way below what it was b4 i had to reduce it all to fit on here! Maybe i should take out a lot of the picture content to allow better sound quality. Took days to make this vid tho, oh its all too much, lol! If searching for RVW music, you can never go wrong If Vernon Handley is conducting!

[Hamgammy]

Absolutey stunning.

Saw the entire symphony no 5 last night played by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Thanks for uploading!