Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music, Flos Campi, 5 Mystical Songs, Fantasia on Christmas Carols

Featuring

Matthew Best
Amanda Roocroft
Anne Dawson
Elizabeth Connell
Linda Kitchen
Catherine Wyn-Rogers

Sarah Walker
John Mark Ainsley
Maldwyn Davies
Martyn Hill
Thomas Allen
Alan Opie
Gwynne Howell
John Connell
Nobuko Imai
English Chamber Orchestra
Corydon Singers
Ralph Vaughan Williams

Did you know?

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Composer's Artistic Vision

The title Flos Campi, which Vaughan Williams irritably clarified has nothing to do with 'buttercups and daisies', is the Vulgate equivalent of the 'Rose of Sharon'.

Notable Performances

The premiere of Serenade to Music in 1938, celebrating Sir Henry J Wood's jubilee, featured contingents from three London orchestras, three choral societies, and Rachmaninov.

Composition History

Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music was uniquely written for sixteen internationally acclaimed solo singers, each identified by their initials in the score.

Critical Reception

Rachmaninov, after hearing the Serenade to Music at its premiere, told Sir Henry J Wood that he had never before been so moved by music.

Compositional Technique

Vaughan Williams's Fantasia on Christmas Carols intentionally avoids the most familiar carols, instead giving wider life to beautiful tunes he collected himself, like 'On Christmas night'.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Vaughan Williams was drawn to George Herbert's poetry because of their shared preoccupation with the conflict between God and World, Flesh and Spirit, Soul and Senses.