Toward the Unknown Region was Vaughan Williams's first major choral piece, completed around 1906 and first performed at the Leeds Festival of 1907 with the composer conducting.
Composition History
Vaughan Williams's cantata Dona nobis pacem, a plea for peace and tolerance, was first performed in Huddersfield in October 1936.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Vaughan Williams compiled the text for Dona nobis pacem primarily from the Bible and Walt Whitman, with its motto and first movement words from the Mass.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Vaughan Williams was deeply influenced by Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass throughout his career, stating shortly before his death, 'I've never got over [Whitman], I'm glad to say…'.
Composition History
The Four Hymns for tenor, viola, and strings, though completed in 1914, had their performance delayed until 1920 due to the war.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded on November 15, 1992, for Toward the Unknown Region, and from June 10-12, 1993, for the other works.
Compositional Technique
In Lord, Thou hast been our refuge, Vaughan Williams combines a setting of Psalm 90 with Isaac Watts's metrical version, O God, our help in ages past, and the tune 'St Anne'.
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