Ralph Vaughan Williams' ideals, including a mix of liberalism and socialism, an emphasis on poets like Shelley and Walt Whitman, and McTaggart's neo-Hegelian philosophy, were shaped during his time at Cambridge.
Compositional Technique
The Doctor of Music examination guidelines for A Cambridge Mass required the choral work to be 40-60 minutes long, include solo voices and double chorus, and feature examples of canon and fugue.
Interpretation
The New Queen's Hall Orchestra, reformed in 1992, uses instruments from a hundred years ago to create a special atmosphere and sound quality, making its players hear each other like a large chamber orchestra.
Composition History
Ralph Vaughan Williams completed his work, now known as A Cambridge Mass, in January 1899 as his exercise for a Doctor of Music degree from Cambridge University.
Cultural Impact
Sir Hubert Parry's 'Blest Pair of Sirens', featured on this album, was called 'that English masterpiece, amongst the noblest works of man' by Elgar and was Ralph Vaughan Williams' favorite piece of music by an Englishman.
Composer Biography
Ralph Vaughan Williams' time at Cambridge University, from 1892 to 1895, significantly influenced his character, friendships, ideals, and musical development for the rest of his life.
Recording & Production
This recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Cambridge Mass is of its world première performance, which took place at Fairfield Halls, Croydon on March 3, 2011.
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