Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)
Author of The Oxford Book of Carols
About the Author
English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was born in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire. An early aptitude for music was encouraged by his parents, and he studied at the Royal College of Music in London as well as in Paris and Berlin. Vaughan William's music is essentially English in character, making him show more the first truly national composer since the sixteenth century. He is especially in touch with the English choral tradition. His first major success was Sea Symphony (1910), a choral piece set to words by Walt Whitman. His interest in choral music contributed to his becoming a leader in the English folk-song movement, and he was an enthusiastic collector of traditional folk songs. In his own work, Vaughan Williams often combined folk melodies with modern harmonies, creating a very distinctive style. Among his orchestral music, the most notable are the beautiful Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (1909), London Symphony (1914), Pastoral Symphony (1922), and Sinfonia Antarctica (1952), a tribute to the explorer Robert Falcon Scott. Other well-known works include the ballad opera Hugh the Drover (1911--14) and the opera The Pilgrim's Progress (1948--49). He has also composed works for the ballet, for the stage, and for films. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
Note that the composer's surname is Vaughan Williams, not Williams.
(fin) Säveltäjän sukunimi ei ole Williams vaan Vaughan Williams.
Image credit: Image © ÖNB/Wien
Works by Ralph Vaughan Williams
English folk song suite + Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' + In the Fen country + The lark ascending + Norfolk rhapsody no.1… (1991) — Composer — 17 copies
Bryn Terfel - The Vagabond & other songs by Vaughan Williams, Butterworth, Finzi & Ireland (1995) 13 copies
Fantasia on christmas carols + Five mystical songs + Flos campi + Serenade to music [sound recording] (1993) 11 copies
Vaughan Williams: Hodie A Christmas Cantata / Fantasia on Christmas Carols • Baker (1993) — Composer — 10 copies
Elgar: Violin Concerto / Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending (sound recording) (2004) — Composer — 10 copies
Sir John In Love 9 copies
A Vaughan Williams Hymnal 8 copies
Linden Lea 8 copies
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; On Wenlock Edge; Norfolk Rhapsody No.1; The Lark Ascending; In the Fen Country (2003) — Composer — 8 copies
Vaughan Williams : A London Symphony (Original 1913 Version) + Butterworth : The Banks of Green Willow [sound… (2001) — Composer — 7 copies
Lord, thou hast been our refuge 7 copies
Along the field ; On Wenlock Edge ; Merciless beauty ; Ten Blake songs ; and other songs (2000) — Composer — 7 copies
Some thoughts on Beethoven's Choral Symphony, with Writings on Other Musical Subjects (1959) 6 copies
Britten : Serenade for tenor, horn and strings, op.31 + Elgar : Serenade for strings in E minor, op.20 + Vaughan… (1938) — Composer — 5 copies
Barber: Prayers of Kierkegaard / V. Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem / Bartok: Cantata Profana (1998) — Composer — 5 copies
Toward the unknown region [score] — Composer — 5 copies
Vaughan Williams Concert (Fantasia on Greensleeves, Concerto Grosso, Romance, Oboe Concerto, English Folk Song Suite) (1989) 4 copies
Five variants of Dives and Lazarus + Sons of light + Toward the unknown region + The voice out of the whirlwind +… (2005) — Composer — 4 copies
Hugh the Drover [sound recording] 4 copies
Vaughan Williams : Variations on a theme by Thomas Tallis + Walton : Belshazzar's feast [sound recording] (1999) — Composer — 4 copies
Copland : Quiet city + Hindemith : Konzertmusik für Blasorchester, Op.41 + Husa : Music for Prague 1968 + Vaughan… (1989) — Composer — 3 copies
Canticle: For all the Saints 3 copies
Vaughan Williams: Five Tudor Portraits Benedicite / Five Variants Of Dives And Lazarus Wilcocks (1987) 3 copies
Silent noon [sheet music] 3 copies
Sancta Civitas, The Holy City (An Oratorio for Tenor and Baritone Soli, Chorus, Semi-Chorus, Distant Chorus and… (1925) 3 copies
Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' + Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis + Serenade to music + Symphony no.4 in F minor [sound… (1993) — Composer — 3 copies
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia On A Theme by Thomas Tallis / Barber: Adagio For Strings / Grainger: Irish Tune From County… (1981) 3 copies
On Wenlock Edge. A cycle of six songs for tenor voice with accompaniment of pianoforte and string quartett (ad lib).… (1946) 3 copies
O Praise the Lord of Heaven 3 copies
The Lark Ascending [v&p] 2 copies
Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (Original 1913 Version) / Butterworth: The Banks of Green Willow 2 copies
Dream-land (High Voice) 2 copies
Folk Songs 1 2 copies
Merciless Beauty ... Three Rondels for high voice, with accompaniment for string trio, or pianoforte, poems by Chaucer.… (1922) 2 copies
Come Down, O Love Divine 2 copies
Songs of Travel 2 copies
Morning Service in D minor 2 copies
Elgar : Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85 + Vaughan Williams : Fantasia on Thomas Tallis + Greensleeves [sound… — Composer — 2 copies
Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony 2 copies
Orchestral works 2 copies
Vaughan Williams : Five mystical songs + Five tudor portraits [sound recording] (1999) — Composer — 2 copies
The Sons of the Morning: Job & piano works by Vaughan Williams and Gurney [Iain Burnside] [Albion ALBCD015] (2013) 2 copies
Symphony No. 6, in E Minor / Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus, for String Orchestra and Harp. 2 copies
Serenade to music + Sinfonia Antarctica [sound recording] — Composer — 2 copies
For all the Saints 2 copies
Symphony No. 9 in E minor 2 copies
Holst : The planets + Marching song + Vaughan Williams : Symphony no.4 [sound recording] (2006) — Composer; Conductor, some editions — 2 copies
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis 2 copies
Vaughan Williams: Oboe Concerto / English Folksongs / Suite Partita / Fantasia on Greensleeves 2 copies
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis / Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus 2 copies
The Pilgrim's Progress : complete radio play with incidental music. Sir John Gielgud as Christian. BBC Symphony… (2015) 2 copies
Eight traditional English carols 2 copies
Songs of Travel Softcover 2 copies
The Vagabond 2 copies
Dona Nobis Pacem, Mass in G Minor 2 copies
Mass in G Minor 2 copies
The Turtle Dove 2 copies
Prelude on Three Welsh Hymn Tunes 2 copies
Vaughan Williams: The Collector's Edition - 30 CDs by Warner Classics (2008-07-08) (2008) — Composer — 2 copies
Vaughan Williams: The Pilgrim's Progress, John Noble, London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult (1996) 2 copies
Film Music 2 copies
A Babe is Born 2 copies
Elgar : Variations on an original theme 'Enigma', Op.36 + Tippett : The Midsummer Marriage : Ritual dances + Vaughan… (2005) — Composer — 1 copy
Te Deum in G 1 copy
BBC Proms 2021 : Prom 36 : 20th-Century British Film Music [sound recording] (2021) — Composer — 1 copy
Elgar : Variations on an original theme 'Enigma', Op.36 + Vaughan Williams : English Folk Song Suite. Greensleeves… — Composer — 1 copy
Land of Hope and Glory [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
BBC Proms 2021 : Prom 07 : Vaughan Williams, Respighi and Mendelssohn [sound recording] (2021) — Composer — 1 copy
Holst: The Planets / Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves & Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis [sound… — Composer — 1 copy
Britten : The young person's guide to the orchestra, Op.34 + Elgar : Cello concerto in E minor, Op.85 + Vaughan… — Composer — 1 copy
Holst : The planets + Vaughan Williams : Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis + Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' [sound… (2006) — Composer — 1 copy
BBC Proms 2005 : Prom 05 : Michael Berkeley, Benjamin Britten and Vaughan Williams [video recording] (2005) — Composer — 1 copy
Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad / Delius: Walk to the Paradise Garden & In a Summer Garden / Vaughan Williams: Symphony… — Composer — 1 copy
On Wenlock Edge 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5 in D, Dona Nobis Pacem, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and… (2008) 1 copy
Albion's Vision 1 copy
Folk Songs 2 1 copy
Orchestral Works — Composer — 1 copy
Albion's Journey 1 copy
Songs of Travel 1 copy
Two French Folk-Songs 1 copy
På jorden Jesus gick 1 copy
Sjung folk och länder 1 copy
Introduction and allegro ; Serenade ; Elegy ; Sospiri ; Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis ; Fantasia on… (2005) — Composer — 1 copy
Toccata Marziale 1 copy
Solent: Fifty Years of Music 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Hymnal 1 copy
Dona nobis pacem etc. 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia On "Greensleeves" — Composer — 1 copy
Williams: Complete Concertos 1 copy
Symphony 2 / Wasps Overture 1 copy
Belshazzar's feast 1 copy
Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on Greensleeves, adapted from the Opera Sir John in Love - for Treble recorder and keyboard (1964) 1 copy
Symphony 6 / Lark Ascending 1 copy
symphony no.4 1 copy
English Songs & Sea Ballads 1 copy
William Boughton, Maurice Bourgue ?Vaughan Williams - Works For String Orchestra - Lp Vinyl Record 1 copy
Orchestral Favourites 1 copy
Silent Noon ; G. Ricordi & Co's Collection of Part Songs and Choruses ; For Women's Voices, S.S.A. 1 copy
Just as the Tide was Flowing 1 copy
Loch Lomond 1 copy
O Taste and See 1 copy
The Call 1 copy
THE OXFORD BOOK OF CAROLS FOR SCHOOLS: a Selection Arranged for Unison Singing (Melody edition) (1956) 1 copy
O How Amiable 1 copy
My Soul, Praise the Lord 1 copy
Symphony 1 Sea 1 copy
Silent Noon 1 copy
Williams - English Fantasia 1 copy
Suite de Ballet 1 copy
Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 1 copy
In the Fen Country 1 copy
The Lark Ascending 1 copy
Flos Campi [sound recording] 1 copy
The Pilgrim's Progress 1 copy
English Landscapes 1 copy
Vaughan Williams Weekend: Fantasia On Greensleeves; The Lark Ascending; English Folk Song Suite 1 copy
I Will Give My Love An Apple 1 copy
Silent noon 1 copy
Scott Of The Antarctic 1 copy
Symphony No 6 in E Minor 1 copy
Visions of England 1 copy
Unto him that loved us 1 copy
R. Vaughan Williams: Norfolk Rhapsody / In the Fen Country / Five Variants of "Dives and lazarus" / Fantasia on… (1999) 1 copy
Flourish For Wind Band 1 copy
Symphony in E Minor 1 copy
Symphony No.5 - Pocket Score 1 copy
A Vaughan Williams Christmas 1 copy
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Toward The Unknown Region (Vocal Score). Sheet Music for SATB, Piano Accompaniment (1866) 1 copy
The Wasps Overture 1 copy
On Christmas Night 1 copy
O Little Town of Bethlehem 1 copy
Christmas Hymn 1 copy
Choral Folksong Arrangements 1 copy
The Pilgrim's Progress. A morality in a prologue, four acts and an epilogue founded on Bunyan's allegory of… (1952) 1 copy
Magnificat. For contralto solo, women's chorus and orchestra ... Arrangement for flute obbligato and pianoforte. [Vocal… (1932) 1 copy
The Vagabond. For male voices, etc. (Arranged by the composer.) (Boosey's modern Festival Series) 1 copy
Sine Nomine - Ralph Vaughan Williams - Earl Rosenberg - William W. How - Carl Fischer - Soprano descant, SATB, Piano,… (1951) 1 copy
20th Century Flute Music 1 copy
Wassail Song 1 copy
A Pastoral Symphony / Symphony No. 4 / English Folk Song Suite [sound recording] (2002) — Composer — 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Job - A Masque for Dancing, Fantasia On a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Five Variants of Dives & Lazarus (2002) 1 copy
A Yacre of Land. Sixteen folk-songs from the manuscript collection of R. V. Williams. Edited by Imogen Holst and Ursula… (1961) 1 copy
Williams: Toward the Unknown 1 copy
Dona nobis pacem + Toward the unknown region [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Ralph Vaughan Williams - Early and Late Works: World Premiere Recordings (Folk Songs of the Four Seasons - Suite /… (2012) 1 copy
Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' + Serenade to music + Symphony no.5 + Toward the unknown region + The Wasps : Overture… (2008) — Composer — 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia for Piano & Orchestra / Mathias: Concertos for Piano & Orchestra, Nos. 1 & 2 (2012) 1 copy
Orchestral Works (2 CD) 1 copy
Loch Lomond 1 copy
Wassail Song ... Freely arranged by R. V. Williams. Transcribed for male voices by H. W. Pierce (Male Voice Library) (1923) 1 copy
Morning Service in D 1 copy
Te Deum in D minor 1 copy
The Twenty Third Psalm 1 copy
Three song cycles 1 copy
Williams: Symphony No. 5 / Three Portraits from The England of Elizabeth / Tuba Concerto (1990) 1 copy
English Songs 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves / Symphonies 2 & 5 / Fantasia on a Theme / The Lark Ascending (2008) 1 copy
It was a lover 1 copy
The pilgrim's progress : a morality in a prologue, four acts and an epilogue founded on Bunyan's allegory of the same… (1974) 1 copy
English folk song suite + Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' + The lark ascending + Serenade to music [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Song Cycles and Songs by Vaughan Williams, Warlock, Butterworth and Gurney/Anthony Rolfe Johnson 1 copy
Love bade me welcome 1 copy
Easter Hymn 1 copy
Three Elizabethan part songs. - III: O mistress mine: SATB — Composer — 1 copy
Songs of Travel / On Wenlock Edge [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Job [piano vocal score] 1 copy
Prelude and Fugue in C Minor 1 copy
Vaughan Williams : Sea songs : Quick march for military and brass bands + Sinfonia Antartica + Five variants of Dives… — Composer — 1 copy
Vaughan Williams : Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis + Norfolk rhapsody no.1 + London symphony [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Vaughan Williams : Sea symphony [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Greensleeves 1 copy
The Lover's Ghost 1 copy
The Truth Sent From Above 1 copy
Works for String Orchestra 1 copy
The Collector's Edition [CD] 1 copy
As Joseph was A-Walking (Cherry Tree Carol) — Composer — 1 copy
Symphonies 1 copy
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Sea Songs for Symphonic Band (Score & Parts) British Band Classics Series 1 copy
Symphonies Nos. 1-9 / Violin Concerto / Bass Tuba Concerto / 3 Portraits [sound recording] (2016) 1 copy
Orchestral Works (2 CD) 1 copy
Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 6 · In the Fen Country · On Wenlock Edge / Bostridge · LPO… (1999) 1 copy
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 8 / Partita for Double String Orchestra / Fantasia on "Greensleeves" / Two… (1992) 1 copy
Vaughan Williams : Fantasia on Greensleeves + Pastoral symphony + Symphony no.4 in F minor [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Symphony 2 / Wasps Overture 1 copy
Mass in G minor. CD 1 copy
Vaughan Williams : Symphony no. 5 in D major + Symphony no.6 in E minor [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
String Quartet in A Minor 1 copy
Symphony no. 6 in E minor 1 copy
Symphony in D major 1 copy
String quartet in G minor 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony / Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis / Norfolk Rhapsody, No. 1 1 copy
Vaughan Williams : Flourish for Glorious John + Symphony no. 8 in D minor + Symphony no. 9 in E minor [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Sinfonia antartica; Oboe Concerto; Elgar: Introduction & Allegro; Cockaigne 1 copy
Five Mystical Songs for Solo Baritone, Chorus (ad lib) and Orchestra (Organ Vocal Score) Ralph Vaughan Williams ECS… (1983) 1 copy
Symphony no. 4 in F minor 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis / Symphony no. 5 in D / Previn: Reflections (1995) 1 copy
Serenade to Music, etc. [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Here on my throne 1 copy
Two Chorals from the Cantata " This Day " (Hodie). i. The Blessed Son of God, etc. < ii. No sad Thought his soul… (1955) 1 copy
Rest 1 copy
Symphony no. 5 in D major 1 copy
Symphony no. 4, in F minor 1 copy
The Pilgim's Progress 1 copy
Christmas Fantasy 1 copy
The willow song 1 copy
Two Carols (from 'This Day') 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge / Ten Blake Songs / Four Hymns / Merciless Beauty / The New Ghost / The Water Mill… (1996) 1 copy
Symphony No. 5 in D Major 1 copy
Serenade to music [catch-all] — Composer — 1 copy
Symphony no. 6, in E minor. The lark ascending [romance for violin and orchestra] [Sound recording] 1 copy
Symphonies No. 7 "Sinfonia Antartica" & No. 8 in D Minor [sound recording] (1998) — Composer — 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 8 / Elgar: Land of Hope & Glory / Bax: Quintet / Rawsthorne: Street Corner / Delius /… (2002) 1 copy
Mass in G minor 1 copy
Job [full score] 1 copy
The Lark Ascending 1 copy
Vaughan Williams: String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor (For Jean on her Birthday)/Violin Sonata in A Minor/Phantasy… (1994) 1 copy
Symphonies 5 & 6 1 copy
Associated Works
The Book of Common Prayer: With Hymns Ancient and Modern (1930) — Editor, some editions — 131 copies
Great British Orchestras: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Volume 1 [sound recording] — Composer — 4 copies
Perspectives [sound recording] — Composer — 2 copies
Clarke: Viola Sonata / Bridge: Cello Sonata Vaughan Williams: Six Studies in English Folk Song [sound recording] (2019) 1 copy
BBC Proms 2021 : Prom 01 : First Night of the Proms 2021 [sound recording] (2021) — Composer — 1 copy
BBC Proms 2021 : Prom 01 : First Night of the Proms 2021 : Part 1 [video recording] (2021) — Composer — 1 copy
Historia de la música: 1918-1920. Música para la caída de los imperios — Contributor — 1 copy
British Tone Poems, Vol. 2 [sound recording] — Composer — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Vaughan Williams, Ralph
- Birthdate
- 1872-10-12
- Date of death
- 1958-08-26
- Burial location
- Westminster Abbey, London, England, UK
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England, UK
- Place of death
- London, England, UK
- Places of residence
- Wotton, Surrey, England, UK
London, England, UK
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
Dorking, Surrey, England, UK - Education
- Charterhouse, Godalming, Surrey, England, UK
Royal College of Music
Cambridge University (BM|1894|BA|1895|DM|1901|Trinity College)
Field House preparatory school - Occupations
- composer
ambulance driver (WWI) - Relationships
- Vaughan Williams, Ursula (2nd wife)
Darwin, Charles (great-uncle)
Raverat, Gwen (second cousin)
Gurney, Ivor (student)
Whitlock, Percy (student)
Vaughan Williams, Adeline (1st wife, until her death in 1951) - Organizations
- American Academy of Arts and Letters (Foreign Honorary, Music, 1949)
Leith Hill Music Festival
Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Artillery
Royal College of Music - Awards and honors
- Order of Merit (1935)
Cobbett Medal (1930)
Shakespeare Prize (1937)
Albert Medal (1955)
Howland Memorial Prize (1954) - Short biography
- Ralph (pronounced /ˈreɪf/) Vaughan Williams OM (12 October 1872 – 26 August 1958) was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song; this also influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, which began in 1904, many folk song arrangements being set as hymn tunes, in addition to several original compositions. (Text from Wikipedia)
- Disambiguation notice
- Note that the composer's surname is Vaughan Williams, not Williams.
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- Works
- 694
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- Rating
- 4.2
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- ISBNs
- 210
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- 7
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