Vaughan Williams, Howells, Delius, Elgar: Music for Strings

Featuring

John Wilson
John Mills
Michael Trainor
Andriy Viytovych
Richard Harwood
Sinfonia of London

Ralph Vaughan Williams
Herbert Howells
Frederick Delius
Edward Elgar

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Composition History

Elgar's Introduction and Allegro was commissioned after August Jaeger, his friend and advocate at Novello's, suggested a "brilliant quick String Scherzo" for the London Symphony Orchestra.

Composer Biography

Herbert Howells's Concerto for String Orchestra's middle movement is dedicated "In Memoriam: E.E. (1934) and M.K.H. (1935)" in tribute to Elgar and Howells's son, Michael, who died at age nine.

Compositional Technique

Vaughan Williams's Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis uses a string quartet and a double string orchestra, with the smaller ensemble placed apart to enhance antiphonal exchanges, inspired by Gloucester Cathedral's acoustics.

Composition History

Delius's 'Late Swallows' was arranged for strings by Eric Fenby, Delius's amanuensis, in 1962 at the suggestion of Sir John Barbirolli to mark Delius's birth centenary.

Historical Context

British composers contributed outstanding works for strings during the 20th century, particularly before World War II.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Elgar, when asked by Herbert Howells about achieving his string sonority, advised him to "Study George Frederik... now and all your life," referring to Handel.

Critical Reception

At its 1910 premiere, Vaughan Williams's Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis was described by Herbert Brewer, a teacher and cathedral organist, as "a queer mad work by an odd fellow from Chelsea."