Ralph Vaughan Williams - Sancta Civitas (1/4)

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Sancta Civitas ("The Holy City"), oratorio (1923-25)

I. I was in te spirit (Lento)
II. And I saw an angel standing in the sun (Meno mosso)
III. Babylon the great is fallen (Lento)
IV. Rejoice over her O Heavens (Allegro moderato)
V. And I saw a new heaven (Adagio)
VI. Therefore are they before the throne of God (Poco meno largo)
VII. And I saw a pure river
VIII. Holy, Holy, Holy (Andante sostenuto)
IX. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory (Poco animato)

Ian Partridge, John Shirley-Quirk
Bach Choir/Choir of King's College
Sir David Willcocks/London Symphony Orchestra

Prefaced by an excerpt from the Phaedo in which Socrates speaks of the immortal nature of the soul as he awaits death after drinking hemlock, Ralph Vaughan Williams' Sancta Civitas paints an eerie portrait of the afterlife. For his main text, Vaughan Williams chose excerpts from the Revelation of St. John from the Authorized Version of the Bible, with additions from Taverner's Bible of 1539 and other sources. The text describes the Apocalypse and the ensuing destruction of Babylon, as well as the creation of God's kingdom on earth. The music is perfectly suited to the story, and gives the work the dreamlike quality of a vision. Described by the composer as an oratorio for solo tenor and baritone, semi-chorus, distant chorus, and orchestra, Sancta Civitas was one of his favorites among his own choral works. The low strings and solo baritone dominate the introduction before the chorus joins in to relate the story of the Apocalypse. All of the fury of the event is made manifest in the score. The middle section is a beautiful lament for the lost city of Babylon. It is scored for a semi-chorus of women's voices in antiphony with the full chorus, and has a haunting ethereal quality. Then begins the description of the Holy City. Here the mood evolves from one of hushed awe, as the chorus is introduced and accompanied by the solo violin, to one of almost overwhelming joy. The work comes to a close with a great brass fanfare with the chorus extolling the greatness of God and all of His creations. A baritone soloist introduces a hushed choral Amen, as the work seems to fade like a dream's end. ~ All Music Guide

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• vaughan
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• sancta
• civitas
• holy
• city
• oratorio
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• choral
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• ian
• partridge
• english
• sacred
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[Vagabond1951]

And by the way, you should post the Dona Nobis Pacem while you're at it. I can't find anything but a few fragments on YouTube at the moment. Thanks!

[Epogdous]

I'm going to upload it soon! =]

[Vagabond1951]

This is a magnificent and sadly neglected masterwork.  I've had the LP for years, and nobody ever performed it better than this. Part 3, in particular, is absolutely gorgeous. I'm glad to see something of a revival of interest in Vaughan Wiliams' work.

[RobertCEvans]

Once again, thanks so much for posting these RVW videos!