Vaughan Williams: Mass in G Minor

Featuring

Andrew Nethsingha
Joseph Wicks
Hugh Cutting
Alfred Harrison
David Blackadder
Alexander Tomkinson

Daniel Brown
Gopal Kambo
James Adams
Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge
Ralph Vaughan Williams

Did you know?

1/7

Critical Reception

The conductor, Andrew Nethsingha, believes that Vaughan Williams's Mass in G minor is one of the greatest British liturgical masterpieces of the twentieth century, deserving more critical attention.

Composition History

Vaughan Williams intensified his focus on liturgical music after serving in the First World War, where one of his harrowing duties as a wagon orderly was recovering bodies wounded in battle.

Composer Biography

Despite being described as a 'confirmed atheist' by philosopher Bertrand Russell, Vaughan Williams dedicated significant attention to liturgical music and works associated with the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Ralph Vaughan Williams, the composer, viewed music as a way to reach 'ultimate realities through the medium of beauty,' providing an experience of transcendence for both the creator and the listener.

Performer Biography

Andrew Nethsingha, the Director of Music for The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge, was a chorister at Exeter Cathedral under his father's direction.

Recording & Production

This recording was made in St John's College Chapel, Cambridge, UK, between July 17th and 20th, 2017.

Compositional Technique

The Mass in G minor by Vaughan Williams blends Renaissance traditions, such as imitative textures and contrasts between soloists and choir, with modal harmony inspired by Debussy's music.