The work of a lifetime: The Pilgrim’s Progress

Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1956

Roland Wood in English National Opera's production of The Pilgrim's Progress in 2012

“Vanity Fair” in English National Opera's production of The Pilgrim's Progress in 2012

By Roy Westbrook, 05 October 2022

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“in Pilgrim’s Progress we get the very best of Vaughan Williams”

Stephen Pritchard, 12th December

Some of the most familiar Christmas carols have melodies derived from folksong – which might have been lost altogether if not preserved in the early 20th century.

Bachtrack top ten: Gustav Holst

Mark Pullinger, 21st September

Gustav Holst is famous for his astrological orchestral suite The Planets, but there’s more to discover in his eclectic catalogue, particularly inspired by his interests in travel and Hindu literature.

Bachtrack top ten: Ralph Vaughan Williams

Mark Pullinger, 12th October

Mark Pullinger celebrates this quintessentially English composer with a list of RVW's most inspiring works.

Fight or flight? Violinists on tackling The Lark Ascending

Kevin W Ng, 5th October

Often dismissed on account of its popularity, The Lark Ascending divides audiences... and players. Our own Kevin Ng is a violinist and avoided it for years, but took advice from three violinists when adding it to his repertoire.

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis

Mark Pullinger, 5th October

How does this work by Vaughan Williams, an agnostic who composed hymns and was inspired by church music, cast its spell over audiences?

The power and the glory: Vaughan Williams, the transcendent symphonist

Chris Garlick, 5th October

Ralph Vaughan Williams' nine symphonies represent one of the peaks of creative achievement in British culture. Enthusiast Chris Garlick takes us on a musical journey through the cycle.

Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

The work of a lifetime: Ralph Vaughan Williams and John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress