Monday, April 20, 2020

Ralph Vaughan Williams

I've recently become familiar with Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
He was a famous composer from Down Ampney, Gloucestershire in the UK.

While but a babe at his christening, the vicar accidentally dropped him. Can you even imagine? His mother was quick to grab Ralph by his christening dress, safeguarding him from hitting the floor. What a moment of sheer terror that must have been.
I shudder to think of how quickly such talent would have been lost had he fell to the cement of that church floor. 

Not long ago, his famous composition, The Lark Ascending made the UK's top ten list of favourite pieces of classical music. It landed #1.

Others who made the list in order...

Rachmaninov-Piano Concerto No. 2

Elgar-Enigma Variations 

Ralph Vaughan Williams-Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Tchaikovsky-1812 (Overture)

Beethoven-Piano Concerto No. 5 ('Emperor')

Tchaikovsky-Swan Lake

Beethoven-Symphony No. 9 ('Choral')

Tchaikovsky-The Nutcracker

Mozart-Clarinet Concerto

I strongly encourage you to take the time to look up The Lark Ascending, sit back with a cup of tea and be still. 
Like a swan gliding through a brook, the peaceful string of of the violin will fill you with grace and peace.




 

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