Ralph Vaughan Williams - A Song Sampler.

I am a big admirer of Vaughan Williams' vocal works. His music settings are sensitive to the rhythm, cadence and mood of the text. He is singer-friendly: his vocal lines are grateful for the voice to follow rather than struggle against. It is also notable the variety of instrumentations he used besides the usual piano and/or orchestra.

I am gathering here a few songs from various sources and different instrumentations as a sampler. Of course I can't resist ending it with "Linden Lea", and a very good rendition it is too. Sometimes something is popular for a very good reason.

In the listing of the songs below, clicking on the time indicator such as 10:47 would take you directly to that song.

1. So Hath Your Beauty [from "Merciless Beauty"; Philip Langridge tenor, Andrew Watkinson & James Clark violins, David Waterman cello] (0:07)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=3784

2. Love's Last Gift [from "From the House of Life"; Ruth Golden soprano, Levering Rothfuss piano] (2:52)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=13961

3. Come Love, Come Lord [from "Four Hymns"; Philip Langridge tenor, Rusen Gunes viola, London Philharmonic Orchestra, David Willcocks conductor] (7:29)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=25392

4. The Lamb [from "Ten Blake Songs"; Ian Partridge tenor, Janet Craxton oboe] (10:47)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=2711

5. Wake Now [from "Epithalamion"; Stephen Roberts baritone, Howard Shelley piano, Jonathan Snowden flute, The Bach choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, David Willcocks conductor] (13:09)
Text starts at line 74 of http://www.bartleby.com/101/82.html

6. The Roadside Fire [from "Songs of Travel"; Bryn Terfel baritone, Malcolm Martineau piano] (15:55)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=15299

7. The Call [from "Five Mystical Songs"; John Shirley-Quirk baritone, English Chamber Orchestra, David Willcoks conductor] (18:26)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=7862

8. Goodbye [from "Along the Field"; Ruth Golden soprano, Nancy Bean violin] (20:43)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=8378

9. On Wenlock Edge [from "On Wenlock Edge"; Robert Tear tenor, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle conductor] (23:24)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=8409

10. On Wenlock Edge [from "On Wenlock Edge"; Ian Partridge tenor, Hugh Bean & Frances Mason violins, Christopher Wellington viola, Eileen Croxford cello, David Parkhouse piano] (27:20)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=8409

11. Linden Lea [Thomas Allen baritone, Geoffrey Parson piano] (31:18)
Text at http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=2209

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ralph Vaughan Williams
• song
• Linden Lea
• Thomas Allen
• Love's Last Gift
• Ruth Golden
• Come Love Come Lord
• Philip Langridge
• The Lamb
• Ian Partridge
• Wake Now
• Stephen Roberts
• The Roadside Fire
• Bryn Terfel
• The Call
• John Shirley-Quirk
• Goodbye
• On Wenlock Edge
• Robert Tear
• So Hath Your Beauty

[yingdat]

@sesanner Glad you enjoyed it. I sure wish I could attend your recital!

[sesanner]

Thank you, Ying-Da. Your presentation of Ralph Vaughan Williams songs is exquisite. Much appreciation for the titles et al printed on screen and for the very easy access you have provided to each selection.

Hearing the songs of Vaughan Williams drives me to contact my friend, the baritone, and suggest we start work on an all RVW recital. Although "work" is an inaccurate concept here, perhaps labor of love, yes. What stirring sounds to hear again and again.

Sincere gratitude to you.