Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams: A Life of Music and Conviction
Full Name and Common Aliases
Ralph Vaughan Williams was born on October 12, 1872, in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England. He is commonly referred to as R.V.W.
Birth and Death Dates
October 12, 1872 - August 14, 1958
Nationality and Profession(s)
Vaughan Williams was a British composer of international renown. Throughout his career, he worked primarily as a composer, but also taught and conducted orchestral music.
Early Life and Background
Ralph Vaughan Williams was born to George Vaughan Williams, a clergyman, and Margaret Williams. His early life was marked by a strong emphasis on spiritual development and the arts. The family encouraged Ralph's musical talents from an early age, and he began studying piano at the age of 7.
Vaughan Williams' interest in music led him to study composition with Sir Charles Stanford at the Royal College of Music in London. During his studies, he also developed a strong appreciation for folk music and its potential as a source of inspiration.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, Vaughan Williams achieved numerous milestones that solidified his reputation as one of the most important composers of the 20th century:
Innovative use of folk melodies: Vaughan Williams drew extensively from English folk songs to create original and evocative compositions. This approach not only helped shape the development of British music but also influenced generations of composers to follow.
Iconic symphonies: His nine symphonies, each with its unique character and style, have become staples of classical music repertoire worldwide.
Conductor and educator: Vaughan Williams was a respected conductor who led orchestras in performances of his own works. He also taught at various institutions, including the Royal College of Music, where he influenced numerous students.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Vaughan Williams' most notable compositions include:
"The Wasps" Overture: A lively and engaging work that showcases his ability to craft memorable melodies.
"A Sea Symphony": A symphonic poem that explores the relationship between humanity and nature, featuring a chorus and soloists in addition to an orchestra.Impact and Legacy
Ralph Vaughan Williams' influence on classical music extends far beyond his own works. His innovative use of folk melodies has paved the way for countless other composers to explore similar sources of inspiration. The accessibility and emotional resonance of his compositions have made them beloved by audiences around the world.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Vaughan Williams is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Commitment to folk music: His dedication to preserving and incorporating traditional English melodies has left a lasting impact on British music.
Musical versatility: As both a composer and conductor, Vaughan Williams demonstrated an impressive range of skills and adaptability throughout his career.
Personal convictions: He was a vocal advocate for social justice and equality, often using his platform to raise awareness about important issues.
Quotes by Ralph Vaughan Williams
I think there is no work of art which represents the spirit of a nation more surely than “Die Meister Singer” of Richard Wagner. Here is no plaything with local colour, but the raising to its highest power all that is best in the national consciousness of his country.
The business of finding a nation’s soul is a long and slow one at the best and a great many prophets must be slain in the course of it. Perhaps when we have slain enough prophets future generations will begin to build their tombs.
But in the next world I shan’t be doing music, with all the striving and disappointments. I shall be being it.
It never seems to occur to people that a man might just want to write a piece of music.
The art of music above all the other arts is the expression of the soul of a nation.
The attitude of foreign to English musicians is unsympathetic, self-opinionated and pedantic. They believe that their tradition is the only one (this is specially true of the Viennese) and that anything that is not in accordance with that tradition is "wrong" and arises from insular ignorance.
I have always found it difficult to study. I have learnt almost entirely what I have learnt by trying it out on the dog.
The great men of music close periods; they do not inaugurate them. The pioneer work, the finding of new paths, is left to smaller men.
The duty of the words is to say just as much as the music has left unsaid and no more.