Vaughan Williams ancestors were Charles Darwin and Elijah Wedgewood of pottery fame. Yet, he was a humble man like Bach. During WWI, he was an ambulance driver picking up broken bodies. I'm sure he was deeply affected by his experiences. He even refused a Knighthood when offered to him, which is why you don't see a "Sir" in front of his name. His music was touched by a deep spiritual connection and seems other-worldly and haunting at times. His writing for strings is simply amazing.
TimeAndChance Well I didn’t know that! Also, I’ve heard it said that he was an agnostic (obviously each to their own) but that surprises me in view of the most ‘spiritual’ music he has composed.....wonder if anyone else feels the same? It’s ALL so beautiful, all his work anyway! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕 Would have loved to have met him!
I can feel the cold wind whipping around stone walls. Torches flickering. And the worthy gentlemen come in with a roasted ox and casks of beer and red wine.
Vaughan Williams is such a masterful composer, so much contrast in his pieces and yet, recognizable in the style. He had such a unique style but you could almost tell he wrote something just by listening to the chords.
Eric and I both got our doctorates at the Univ of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am singing the solos with the Bach Chamber Choir (Milwaukee) for an Epiphany concert on Jan. 6. Say hello to Dr. Johnson for me. -J. Mark Baker
The Northern Illinois University chamber choir is performing this with our philharmonic for our holiday concert this year. Hopefully, I'll get to sing one of the baritone solos (we're breaking it up into three different singers). As a bass, it's just so fun to really belt it out on those E's.
Perfectly captures an English rural Christmas , my spine tingles !
Still listening.....Christmas Day 2019
Hello peeps.....anyone out there??
💕💕💕😆😆😆☕️☕️☕️🇬🇧🇬🇧xx
2020
Catching up on my Christmas music ...
Vaughan Williams ancestors were Charles Darwin and Elijah Wedgewood of pottery fame. Yet, he was a humble man like Bach. During WWI, he was an ambulance driver picking up broken bodies. I'm sure he was deeply affected by his experiences. He even refused a Knighthood when offered to him, which is why you don't see a "Sir" in front of his name. His music was touched by a deep spiritual connection and seems other-worldly and haunting at times. His writing for strings is simply amazing.
DrMarianus very moving and helpful comments. Thank you.
If anyone ever deserved a knighthood, it was RVW.
VW was NOT descended from C Darwin. Darwin was his Great Uncle, his mother's uncle.
TimeAndChance
Well I didn’t know that!
Also, I’ve heard it said that he
was an agnostic (obviously each to
their own) but that surprises me
in view of the most ‘spiritual’ music
he has composed.....wonder if
anyone else feels the same?
It’s ALL so beautiful, all his work
anyway! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕
Would have loved to have met him!
It's not Christmas until you play this
A truly wonderful piece of profound music composed by a remarkable man Vaughan Williams. Now living with the angels.
Absolutely melodies. Appreciations from Sri Lanka. Love it.
I can feel the cold wind whipping around stone walls. Torches flickering. And the worthy gentlemen come in with a roasted ox and casks of beer and red wine.
I'm performing this tomorrow! I'm in love with this piece
Deeply moving. Wintry, and quintessentially English.
one of the most beautiful pieces of music i have heard
The best ever recording of the Fantasia
Never cease to be inspired by the opening Carol and the 'cello scales.."The Truth Sent From Above "...from Herefordshire. .beautiful. JFT96
this is simply divine... thank you
I didn't know this Christmas Fantasia but will sing it later on and I now greatly look forward to it :)
I absolutely love singing this piece..
Vaughan Williams is such a masterful composer, so much contrast in his pieces and yet, recognizable in the style. He had such a unique style but you could almost tell he wrote something just by listening to the chords.
Beautiful
Amazing!
so lovely and moving
He is, yes! Fantastic person and a wonderful director. It's absolutely a joy to work with him.
gorgeous- such a composer!
Thanks for posting this.
great music!!!!!!!
Absolutely wonderful.
a beautiful piece of work.
great recording, and an inspiration as I am singing the Baritone solo in a concert next month!
abd@gsy
I will be performing this with my school's choir and the local college's choir in December :)
Excited to perform this with the University of Plymouth (UK) Choral Society this Saturday!
Performing this tomorrow!
I really hope that I will be able to do this song in my career. Hopefully even sing that amazing solo in the beginning ;)
There's another good recording of this with Sir Thomas Allen and the Corydon singers. i think it might be Hickox again but I'm not sure.
im singing this in my choir class....
Eric and I both got our doctorates at the Univ of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am singing the solos with the Bach Chamber Choir (Milwaukee) for an Epiphany concert on Jan. 6. Say hello to Dr. Johnson for me. -J. Mark Baker
The Northern Illinois University chamber choir is performing this with our philharmonic for our holiday concert this year. Hopefully, I'll get to sing one of the baritone solos (we're breaking it up into three different singers). As a bass, it's just so fun to really belt it out on those E's.
That's very cool, and good luck on the solos! I'll say hello when school resumes!
The rest of the music on this disc is the Christmas cantata by Rafe titled "Hodie" ["This Day"], an absolute masterpiece.
Merry Christmas to one and all!
25.12.15
Quite a nice performance. Thanks to the LS Chorus and Orchestra under Richard Hickox.
Al Cooke.
Blessed
He was not an "ambulance driver". He was a member of a field ambulance, a quite different thing.
@amethystmond : By any chance is that the U of S Chorus? If not, fun coincidence, because so are we!
@jakeburbrink
aahh...but to do something difficult so well is part of the joy of life!
Who is your choir director? Eric Johnson?
Only five months to go!
25.7.15
Psh. As a bass, I liked using the upper register for this one.
Some versions of this seem a little slow making it a bit dirge like, I prefer this pace.
Why is it so quiet?
It is at the beginning. Give it time.
P
Lush
I hate this song...as a bass....the notes are just TOOO FRICKIN HIGH.....but it is a nice song