Classical Music / Symphony
English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), composed "A Sea Symphony" for orchestra and chorus, which he wrote between the years 1903 and 1909. The work is also referred to as the Symphony No.1. The first and longest symphony, this piece was premiered at the Leeds Festival in 1910, with the composer himself conducting.
The texts Vaughan Williams chose were sections of poems by American poet Walt Whitman, whose humanist philosophy equated beautifully with his own.
Movements:
1. A Song for all Seas, all Ships (Moderato maestoso)
2. On the beach at night, alone (Largo sostenuto)
3. The Waves (Allegro Brillante)
4. The Explorers (Grave e molto adagio - Andante con moto)
Here's a video of Ralph Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony. 1. "Song of the Exposition" and "Song for all Seas, all Ships" 2. "On the Beach at Night Alone" 3. "After the Sea-ship" 4. "Passage to India". Sally Matthews, soprano. Roderick Williams, baritone. BBC Proms Youth Choir. BBC Symphony Chorus. BBC Symphony Orchestra. Sakari Oramo, conductor. Live recording. London, Proms 2013.
Being one of the first symphonies in which a choir is an integral part of the musical texture, in fact, the main "instrument," A Sea Symphony helped set the stage for a new era of symphonic and choral music in Britain during the first half of the 20th century.
Trivia: I've been so blest as chorister of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs to have sung this extremely stirring piece of music by Ralph Vaughan Williams (text by Walt Whitman equally mesmerising) two years after I wrote this post. We performed RVW's "A Sea Symphony" Sept 22 and 24, 2016. The score was a challenge especially during the earlier days of learning. And slowly, its effect grew deeper and more meaningful as rehearsals progressed that by the time we performed it, I was emotionally charged. It continues to haunt me, and it remains one of the most moving and significant performances I've experienced. (Sept 25, 2016)
Video Credit:
Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony Oramo. YouTube, uploaded by Classical Vault 1. Accessed September 25, 2014.
Resources:
Walt Whitman's text from Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony. Snark Dreams. Accessed May 31, 2017.
Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Accessed September 24, 2014.
(c) 2014-2017. Tel Asiado. Written for Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved
Ralph Vaughan-Williams "A Sea Symphony" with text chosen from poems of Walt Whitman.
English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), composed "A Sea Symphony" for orchestra and chorus, which he wrote between the years 1903 and 1909. The work is also referred to as the Symphony No.1. The first and longest symphony, this piece was premiered at the Leeds Festival in 1910, with the composer himself conducting.
The texts Vaughan Williams chose were sections of poems by American poet Walt Whitman, whose humanist philosophy equated beautifully with his own.
Movements:
1. A Song for all Seas, all Ships (Moderato maestoso)
2. On the beach at night, alone (Largo sostenuto)
3. The Waves (Allegro Brillante)
4. The Explorers (Grave e molto adagio - Andante con moto)
Here's a video of Ralph Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony. 1. "Song of the Exposition" and "Song for all Seas, all Ships" 2. "On the Beach at Night Alone" 3. "After the Sea-ship" 4. "Passage to India". Sally Matthews, soprano. Roderick Williams, baritone. BBC Proms Youth Choir. BBC Symphony Chorus. BBC Symphony Orchestra. Sakari Oramo, conductor. Live recording. London, Proms 2013.
Being one of the first symphonies in which a choir is an integral part of the musical texture, in fact, the main "instrument," A Sea Symphony helped set the stage for a new era of symphonic and choral music in Britain during the first half of the 20th century.
Trivia: I've been so blest as chorister of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs to have sung this extremely stirring piece of music by Ralph Vaughan Williams (text by Walt Whitman equally mesmerising) two years after I wrote this post. We performed RVW's "A Sea Symphony" Sept 22 and 24, 2016. The score was a challenge especially during the earlier days of learning. And slowly, its effect grew deeper and more meaningful as rehearsals progressed that by the time we performed it, I was emotionally charged. It continues to haunt me, and it remains one of the most moving and significant performances I've experienced. (Sept 25, 2016)
Video Credit:
Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony Oramo. YouTube, uploaded by Classical Vault 1. Accessed September 25, 2014.
Resources:
Walt Whitman's text from Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony. Snark Dreams. Accessed May 31, 2017.
Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Accessed September 24, 2014.
(c) 2014-2017. Tel Asiado. Written for Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved
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