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

Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1952, photographed by Ursula Wood

By Chris Garlick, 05 October 2022

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“always finding something powerful and meaningful to say without drawing attention to himself”

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.

The work of a lifetime: The Pilgrim’s Progress

Roy Westbrook, 5th October

John Bunyan's allegory occupied Ralph Vaughan Williams for a lifetime, culminating in the 1951 stage work, premiered at Covent Garden. Roy Westbrook follows the composer's progress...

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?

Chris Garlick

Chris Garlick is the co-founder of Signal Gallery in Hoxton. His first degree was in music, training as a classical composer. Chris has written about art frequently in Art of England magazine, Artist and Illustrator for online blogs.