Sea Symphony: I. A song for all seas, all ships
Ralph Vaughan Williams, OM (1872–1958) was an influential English composer.… Read Full Bio ↴Ralph Vaughan Williams, OM (1872–1958) was an influential English composer.
Vaughan Williams was born on 12th October 1872 in Down Ampney, a village in the Cotswolds. After attending Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge, he became a student at the Royal College of Music; he later studied with Max Bruch in Berlin and Maurice Ravel in Paris.
He served as a lieutenant in World War I, having volunteered for the Field Ambulance Service; the appalling carnage affected him deeply, as did the deaths of close friends such as George Butterworth.
He wrote nine symphonies between 1910 and 1958, as well as numerous other works including chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also one of the first serious collectors of English folk music and served as president of the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). The Society's Vaughan Williams Memorial Library is named for him.
Vaughan Williams died on 26th August 1958, and his ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey.
Vaughan Williams was born on 12th October 1872 in Down Ampney, a village in the Cotswolds. After attending Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge, he became a student at the Royal College of Music; he later studied with Max Bruch in Berlin and Maurice Ravel in Paris.
He served as a lieutenant in World War I, having volunteered for the Field Ambulance Service; the appalling carnage affected him deeply, as did the deaths of close friends such as George Butterworth.
He wrote nine symphonies between 1910 and 1958, as well as numerous other works including chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also one of the first serious collectors of English folk music and served as president of the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). The Society's Vaughan Williams Memorial Library is named for him.
Vaughan Williams died on 26th August 1958, and his ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey.
Sea Symphony: I. A song for all seas all ships
Ralph Vaughan Williams Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Ralph Vaughan Williams:
Fantasia on "Greensleeves" I got someone at home, don't know whats going on Thinks…
Fantasia on "Greensleeves" (Plymouth Festival Orchestra) Now there you go again you say you want your…
Fantasia on Greensleeves I got someone at home, don't know whats going on Thinks…
Rest O Earth lie heavily upon her eyes; Seal her sweet eyes…
The Turtle Dove Fare you well my dear I must be gone and leave…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
mydogskips2
Hi Scot, nice video.
I first got interested in Vaughn Williams when I played his march "Sea Songs" a few years back with my high school band. Then I heard his wonderful arrangement of Greensleeves which is just incredibly beautiful, so peaceful and serene. But it was this Sea Symphony which hooked me. The grand majesty and sheer power of the opening movement is simply amazing. The long developing middle section is one of the most deeply moving pieces of music I've ever heard.
I did a bit a research and bought a box set of his complete symphonies and a few other works, Norfolk Rhapsodies, Fantasia on Greensleeves, a Theme by Thomas Tallis, etc. performed by Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra I think, but to be honest I was a bit disappointed(not with the music, but the performances). But this performance(along with that of Bryden Thompson) is one for the ages.
I think I said in another post a while back that I consider Bernard Haitink to be perhaps the greatest living conductor(I agree that he did a great Sea Symphony and Sinfonia Antarctica), especially now with so many of the greats passing lately; Sir Colin Davis, Lorin Maazel and Claudio Abbado. God rest their souls, as well as that of your dear father Scot.
P.S. Could I ask you a quick question?
I've heard that Ralph Vaughn-Williams' name, his first name, is actually pronounced as Rafe not Ralph. Have you ever heard of this, is it true?
Thanks a lot for uploading a great video.
My best regards,
Aloha
Scot Peacock
Hi there Slothropgr, Thank you for your comments. Yeah, Dad lived a good life :-) The Haitink is a special recording. You can buy it from Amazon for £13 or the complete symphonies by haitink for £20, although his cycle can be hit and miss - eg not so sure about his 8th, but the Sinfonia Antartica is astounding. I have the box set of Handley's and I can't fault it (apart from, perhaps a sightly boxed-in and dry acoustic to the recordings in the larger works, the Sea Symph. and Antarctic Symph
Charles
This is one of the most powerful, masculine, delicate and uplifting yet tragic piece of art I have ever been blessed to hear.
Vaughan is at the top of my list along with Tchaikovsky, these two really made sounds that transport me somewhere else.
Ernesto Ruben Olivera
Que obra magistral! Cuan bellamente interpretada está!
Scot Peacock
Beautiful music! Beautiful recording! Thank you for your comments. I always thought that Vaughan Williams might not be too popular in continental Europe. Perhaps he sounds too English? Do they like him in your country? Apologies for my ignorance, but are you from Spain or Italy?
Ernesto Ruben Olivera
Sus obras son poco conocidas offUK.
Scot Peacock
Yes, he is not popular in Europe. I think that should change :-)
slothropgr
I've had a slew of Sea Symphonies, beginning with the Boult on Angel LP and ending with the Spano on Telarc, but I'd never heard the Haitink before. I came to check it out and stayed for the whole thing. Glorious performance, and God knows the LPO has V-W in its genes. Well posted. too. Currently I only have Spano and Handley's versions but I'm adding this one, the chorus is especially well balanced. Sorry about your Da but it sounds like he lived a life worth living.
Scot Peacock
Isn't it an amazing combination. It's an extraordinary experience to hear it live :-)
Ev' H
This is our conductor's favourite version. We're an amateur choir in London, professionally rehearsed and performing it on Monday 13th March at the Royal Festival Hall :-). I've only just discovered the brilliance of Vaughan Williams... So exciting!! Thanks for posting such a great video of visuals.
mydogskips2
Hi Scot, nice video.
I first got interested in Vaughn Williams when I played his march "Sea Songs" a few years back with my high school band. Then I heard his wonderful arrangement of Greensleeves which is just incredibly beautiful, so peaceful and serene. But it was this Sea Symphony which hooked me. The grand majesty and sheer power of the opening movement is simply amazing. The long developing middle section is one of the most deeply moving pieces of music I've ever heard.
I did a bit a research and bought a box set of his complete symphonies and a few other works, Norfolk Rhapsodies, Fantasia on Greensleeves, a Theme by Thomas Tallis, etc. performed by Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra I think, but to be honest I was a bit disappointed(not with the music, but the performances). But this performance(along with that of Bryden Thompson) is one for the ages.
I think I said in another post a while back that I consider Bernard Haitink to be perhaps the greatest living conductor(I agree that he did a great Sea Symphony and Sinfonia Antarctica), especially now with so many of the greats passing lately; Sir Colin Davis, Lorin Maazel and Claudio Abbado. God rest their souls, as well as that of your dear father Scot.
P.S. Could I ask you a quick question?
I've heard that Ralph Vaughn-Williams' name, his first name, is actually pronounced as Rafe not Ralph. Have you ever heard of this, is it true?
Thanks a lot for uploading a great video.
My best regards,
Aloha