I played a few of Williams’ works when I was in high school… many years ago! On a cold December night last year, after a hard day’s work, my wife encouraged us to go hear this at the Eastman Theatre. We took our three young girls to hear it. The opening segment was so glorious and beautiful that it took all the stress of life away and the next hour I sat mesmerized and so thankful for life and the many gifts God has given to us; the sea… and beautiful inspired artists to reflect a longing for adventure and triumph of the human spirit in Creation. “Behold, the Sea!”
Greetings from Poland. I have discovered Vaughan a few years ago and became a great fun of him. Extraordinary and unique music in the history of music. England can be really proud of such Artist.
One of the seriously most fantastic composer i kmow in my whole!!! I have several of W.Williams symphonies.. the Sea symphoni. A so beatyfull, wonderfull big/great/impressing music. You can feel the sea, hear the wind in, And see the the beatyfull waterskabe, withn tall-ships. If you like history/music, you should take a boat, check on pc, if you like this idea here are any Tallship-race .
Most composers take decades before they dare to aspire to writing on this gigantic scale. This was RVW's FIRST symphony. He was only 37 years old when he completed it, after six years' work. The following eight weren't bad either... even the ninth, written right at the end of his life, is a piece of startling originality. What kind of Godly genius was he?!
Rich, you answered your own question; Godly genius...We, humans, do the work Almighty GOD gives us the inspiration and step-by-step directions to do the actual and bring it to perfection.
Glad you liked it Daniel! I've also made videos to go with the 'London' and 'Pastoral' Symphonies, if you get a chance to check them out sometime. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for your hard work in making this compilation of paintings and lyrics to accompany the music of Vaughan Williams. I can tell you in all honesty it left me in tears at some moments. I especially love how the paintings aren't just random--they correlate with the lyrics and the ideas being spoken. RVW is at this point my favorite composer, and the visuals you provide do his work justice.
A wonderful symphony, magnificently performed, and a beautiful selection of paintings, most of which I had not previously seen. Thank you so much for this very moving presentation.
I am very inclined to agree, Michael. It's the highest of many high points for me. It's the moment I most look forward to and it never disappoints. In live performance it's truly wonderful.
I performed this my freshman year in college at Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam in 1968!!!!! I still know all the music and most of the words- that's how profound an effect it had on me. Lovely!
A wonderful symphony with many hauntingly beautiful moments, ably accompanied by your choices of artwork. The libretto is a nice touch, too. Many thanks.
I knew this symphony many years ago ,and had recorded in an already non found Cassettes , which I still keep it ,its magnificence interpretation from the choir ,and thanks by the exposed poems from the sequence of the master music piece, grateful to you by this web given music,
Excellent! Thank you for sharing. The combination of music, singing, words on the screen, and, yes, the beautiful images. This is surely a labor of love. Thank you.
I added this video to my favorites years ago, but now I just gotta come back to comment... The magnificence of the Music and the composition of the many many beautiful and marvelous paintings is just perfect, its English as hell but could easily be an ode to sailors from all over the globe. Greetings from Israel.
Very beautiful presentation of this exceptional work. Thank you so much for putting time for this, for the art and the creation of the perfectly timed lyrics. A labour of love :-)
Thanks for this. Haven't heard this for a while and brought back wonderful memories of both the first time I heard it (a gift from my dad) and also singing in it with the Highgate Choral Society. Magic.
O Thou transcendentNameless the fibre and the breathShedding forth universes, Thou centre of them.I just discovered your video. Wonderful!I was so moved.I have loved this piece and this performanceand I was surprised how the images you orchestrated with the musictransported me to another place.The tasteful selections of paintings and photograph, the beautiful transitionsand the luscious silence at the close...I will hear the piece with more abandon because of this experience.So, thank you.Away O soul!
Absolutely, grand! I am a member of the Springfield, Ohio Chorus (100+ members) and we are performing this complicated, yet, marvelous piece by Ralph Vaughn Williams, at the Kuss Performing Arts Center, a Clark State Community facility. As a Senatorial Candidate for District 10 of Ohio, running my own campaign with no assistance, nor, support from the Democratic Party Headquarters in my hometown of Springfield, the intense rehearsals are a refreshing relief of stress and pressure, for me! We perform on April 2nd and will have rehearsed this complexed body of musical genius for 2 months, and, believe me, it takes all of the 2 months, plus, to prepare and blend 100+ voices into a smooth sailing sea-like symphony. We will perform for 45 minutes straight with no break or intermission. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful and professional chorus of male and female singers, I weep like a sensitive weeping willow tree, while standing tall and strong, like the mighty oak tree. It elicits the most creative and literary artistry from my soul, each time I review and rehearse it, on UA-cam. It is my pleasure and fortune to draw strength from the calming, yet, raging Sea, as I endeavor to journey into uncharted politically, unpredictable sea-like, intense and emotional waves of the struggles, pains and sorrows of the poor, middle-class ordinary American citizens. Like the Captain of the ship, caught amidst the towering power of the waves, I am compelled, committed, determined to protect my people and fellow Americans under my charge and care. Particularly, the elderly, the disabled veterans returning home from the theater of a raging war, and the homeless innocent children, the weakest of my charge. What a fitting musical rhapsody set to the unpredictable rage and rhythm of the sea, to focus my thoughts upon the needs of the American People! I pray and hope, I do as good a job for my people, as there State Senator, should I be blessed with that charge and responsibility; just as, Ralph Vaughn Williams did with this powerful musical piece of work! I am Michael Sergio Gilbert, and I shall attempt to change the American Exclusive Political Paradigmatic System, to a calmer sea-like, American Inclusive Political Paradigm, to benefit and include all Americans.
So did you get elected, Michael? I hope so. Particularly for the raging tumult of the times we are all entering now, a year later. I share your enthusiasm for Vaughan Williams. Here on You Tube there is a posting ot a BBC programme about him.
Shame on the phoney Democrats establishment, hourray for those who have kept faith with and strengthen caring principles in the face of deviant powerful forces. USA urgently needs radical change. Keep on helping the poor and disadvantaged and may good luck sail with you.
Thanks so much for commenting, Peter. I watched the whole thing yesterday (the first time I've done so since I made it) and I found many things I'd like to change and improve, but on the whole I'm quite pleased with it and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I've just stumbled on this magnificent music and video. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL INVOLVED. And thank you for sharing it with us. YES, it's on my personal playlist. And I want to take the time at some point to sit and watch/listen to the ENTIRE PROGRAM on BIG SCREEN with NO work or interruptions. Thank you for this wonderful experience.
Hi, Colin! I want to thank you so much for putting this wonderful video up! I love discovering new composers, and I just did! I clicked mainly because of the beautiful ship pictures... And what a journey you provided me! Especially with the synchronized verses. Maestro Bernard Haitink is a great inspiration to me. I am glad I found A Sea Symphony; never knew a choral symphony could be so wonderful.
So glad you liked it Pedrooko. Please don't stop at 'A Sea Symphony'! Check out my video featuring Vaughan Williams's 'London Symphony' (number 2) and 'A Pastoral Symphony' (number 3). I have also made a video of RVW's life and an introduction to all his symphonies. You should find it if you search 'Nine Symphonies'. I hope you enjoy exploring the music of our great English composer!
WanderAbroad Thanks for your comment! Ralph Vaughan Williams is a very famous composer in the UK but he is not so well known in Europe, which is a shame. I hope you will listen to more of his music and tell all your classical music friends about him. I suggest you try his London Symphony next - look out for my video of it!! :)
Beautifully done. There may be purists (musical or visual) who object to the mix of media, but I find that a thoughtful approach like this adds immeasurably to the appreciation of both.
Thank you so much for this video. It's very evident that you did a lot of work, invested much time. With all that's been said, I don't know what more to say except that I agree, the video, music and imagery are all very skilfully done creating an almost divine experience, magnificent and beautiful. I only wish more people could, would watch this video and learn to appreciate great music and art. It is one of the best videos I have seen and the performance by Haitink is wonderful, rousing as well
I'm just discovering Williams's music. Thank you for doing so much work to integrate the majestic music, the stirring paintings, and the poetry of Walt Whitman. Even though I've been a lifelong poetry reader, and even though my son bought me a huge book with all his works, Whitman's poetry has never touched me. After watching this, I'll at least read this poem with a fresh eye, and see if I can make a connection. It obviously impressed Williams, for him to use it as his libretto. Thanks again for making this such a moving experience.
Thanks for taking the time to respond Mike. Like you, I do not warm to Whitman but the fact is that he struck a real chord with English composers in the first decades of the 20th century, RVW in particular. I'm glad you like the music and hope very much that you will take a look at some of my other posts - his next symphony was 'A London Symphony. (Just for the record, the composer's surname is Vaughan Williams, rather than just Williams - though he answered to Williams at school and in the army. His first name was Ralph, pronounced - believe it or not - 'Rafe'. The only other example I can think of is the actor Ralph Fiennes, who also pronounces his name that way. I think it's the posh way to say the name! Please forgive me for correcting you but if you become seriously interested in RVW's work (which I hope you will) knowing his surname starts with V rather than W will help you find references to him in books, and find his CDs in shops!).
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this!! Great recording & great images. I am so excited to perform this piece next week, and it really helps to have listened to it before hand (and read the lyrics along with it!). Thanks again!
+John Miller It was great! It was the Toronto Symphony performing and I loved every second. I wish there would have been some sea pictures to go along with the performance (like this video!) but it was still a true joy to perform!
Thanks Colin, my great grandfather was a ships captain sailing out of Glascow and eventually settling in Sydney Australia where he captained coastal traders. My grandfather was equally smitten with the sea including open sea yacht racing. Your contribution reminds me of the fragility and fear of going offshore under sails.
It is also impossible to listen without thinking of the people of my neighbor, Dakota --who died in the USS Fitzgerald Disaster... At the time you wrote that "copyrights @ 'Might be freely shared for purposes (ie firehouse churches soldiers/sailors affairs etc.) ... I know you put A LOT of effort in to securing extant broadcast! Might I inquire what current situation is? That I might "share" in freedom?
@@teddebiddle Sorry, I'm sure sure what you are referring to here. But I am happy for this video to be shown, on the understanding that I do not own the copyright to the music or the images, most of which I found on-line. Good luck.
i love evermore every time I immerse in these DEEP waters. Bless you & ALL your people... I intend also to share this with the mourning mother of our neighbor, Dakota, who drowned, (age 19) on the Fitzgerald...+"Fate will never surprise; Nor death dismay+ Ah! Colin, your synchronization of art with WORD, and music; really does endow the possibility... that such loss is indelible,, immortal' , and worth while... Thank you, ever so very! tedde
Thanks Colin for posting this wonderful choral-symphonic poem... It has helped and sustained me through many dark and tempestuous night-storms of the soul ...also love your choice of paintings... I spent nearly 20 years in the London art world and had the pleasure and privilege of helping people buy many marines... Julies Olsson, (St.Ives & Newllyn) especially! ... Winslow Homer and Turner are a favourites too... Thanks again! :-))
+Michael Vanderosen Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, Michael. Music (and art) is a great healer. Do check out my 'London Symphony' video, which also features paintings and drawings... Good wishes.
+Colin ... thanks ... have done as you noticed! ... see my somewhat over-long story on your Discussion page of how I came dam' close to singing Sea Symphony with the great man conducting... and the many years it took before I reconnected with it - becoming my most favourite piece of choral music in the world. :-))
THANKS!!! for his is an amazing triumph of imagination---artfully wedding dramatic images to the glorious music & expansive poetry. There are lots of fine paintings I'd not seen before, as well as some old Winslow Homer favorites. The paintings concentrate on the era of Whitman's poem, when sail was still predominate at sea with steam still rudimentary. I was struck by how, for final climactic moments, the visuals explode into the Hubble's dazzling modern views of our heavens.
Extraordinaria musica.Increíble orquestación.Junto a segunda y la 6ta. son algo monumental.Me olvido de la 7ma. Un compositor grandioso.Gran post.romántico.Viva la musica!!!!
Thank you Colin for this beautiful and magnificent presentation of one of my favorite works. I have greatly enjoyed your channel and your work of pairing these masterful works of Vaughan Williams with these wonderful paintings.
Vaughn Williams recordings by Haitink are important, because they establish to the rest of the world that he was not a provincial composer. And also a reflection on the love of Whitman by non-Americans.
Thank you for posting. I've recorded all the artists you have introduced to me. I will buy this wonderful recording. Greetings from Flamborough. The North Sea. I am very grateful.
O Holy Colin! You kicked off this Year's Epiphany Feast 3 days early; really can't thank you enough. I am re-posting with abandon --honoring the effort it must have required to obtain all those copyrights & registrations!) LOVE!
I love that. I had the rare privilege as a Frenchman to sing this magical piece of music in Hong Kong. This is the way I discovered this great composer. Intense pleasure. Thanks Colin :-)
Hello Colin. I am a member of a music appreciation group born out of a Science Fiction subgroup that emerged out of a milieu in 1954 Los Angeles, Calif. I am very impressed with what you are posting! I am seeing works by RFW that we haven't encountered. Drop by and say Hello!
+KayBee Nullenvoyde Hi KayBee.. Glad you liked the he music and video. My computer is out of action at the moment (I writing this in the pbluublic library!) but I will certainly check out your group when it is fixed.
I once had the luck to be able to sing this great work as a choir member - and today a friend's seaside picture reminded me of it as well as of impressive sea motif arts works like of T. Lux Feininger and Turner etc - so finding this great combination of making a text video with great sea arts as background images was the best possible fit and will remain my preferred Sea Symphony video. Thank You so m so much for this! PS: I use a UA-cam-Addblocker add-on so undisturbed enjoying was guaranteed via web browser on PC... Had to look whether such is possible and available for a smartphone... just in case
Bonsoir, bonjour Colin; Il est réellement vivifiant d' écouter une telle partition, mais aussi de voir à quel point vous l' avez illustré, et de fort belle manière. Alors que je suis moi-même peintre, je peux apprécier des oeuvres que je découvre, et qui nous font aimer la mer, l' océan peut être; Nous avons en France, sur Paris, l' institution des "peintres de la Marine", dont je fus très proche dans ma jeunesse, et votre éventail de "marines" est superbe. Il me plait à penser que vous connaissez la joie de pouvoir chanter cette partition, car le choix des oeuvres picturales ressemble à un véritable travail de musicologue, ( tout comme Vaughan) et votre extrême sensibilité à les choisir, en fonction de l' intensité précise de chaque instant de la partition (que je découvre aussi), dévoile une capacité à diriger une telle oeuvre. Dans tous les cas, la performance des musiciens et chanteurs est de très haut niveau, le coeur dans son ensemble est particulièrement crédible, ample; Il ne s' égare pas dans trop, ou trop peu; la complaisance n' est pas ici invité, et c' est donc une bien honnête interprétation. Le coeur de l' orchestre philharmonique de Londres donc ! quel ensemble ! depuis bien longtemps, je n' ai entendu autant de justesse, ( et je suis souvent déçu, pour tout le moins dépité, malgré l' étiquette des références) Ce soir, grâce à vous, c' est un moment de profond plaisir, de joie intérieure. Le coeur porte même parfois l' orchestre, par delà ce que l' on peut penser; la justesse " à la note" est superbe, et le grain est naturel , un son ample large sans limite, la mer quoi !. C' est ainsi que je conçoit l' esprit Britannique, et je prends le temps de vous le dire, alors que je suis en train de traduire consciencieusement, patiemment et avec dévotion, la vie de Kathleen Ferrier, (notre bien-aimée Kathleen); Je suis accoudé à mon bureau et donc en pensée avec Williams Vaughan !! , puis cette grande époque, épopée de Henry wood et Malcom Sargent. Il y a dans Vaughan, un souffle parfois comparable à celui de notre Debussy dans les envolées partisanes, mais aussi une certaine délicatesse , commune à notre Fauré, dans les parties intérieures, intimes...mais son expression lui est, "in fine" , personnelle et unique, pas toujours légère, mais pour le moins très enthousiaste !. Il y a une candeur certaine chez ce compositeur, qui nous le rend sympathique, on lit en lui comme dans un livre, il nous est donc " domestique"( je plaisante) il fait partie de la maison !(domus), dans le sens où il vient de quelque part, mais il ne le cache pas, ses pairs sont là. Je ne suis pas sûr que nombre d' enfants en ce jour soient instruits de ce genre de compositeurs, ni par une telle expression musicale, cela se devrait à mon sens bien plus que ce dont l' actualité souvent étriquée nous abreuve; Mais c' est un bonheur et un trésor de le partager en famille, et par votre proposition bienvenue, mon jeune fils s' en régalera dès demain, alors nous semons pour demain, en devenir. Un grand merci, donc pour la diffusion d' une telle oeuvre à travers une telle interprétation, Oui, le coeur ( choir), particulièrement est parfait, et je le répète, votre présentation est superbe. Christian guignard.
+Christian Guignard Cher Christian - Merci beaucoup pour vos commentaires intéressants. Je suis très heureux que vous aimez la musique de Vaghan Williams. Aussi que vous avez apprécié ma présentation visuelle. Je crois que la musique de RVW est pas très connu en France, il est donc bon d'apprendre qu'il a des admirateurs là! Je suis sûr que vous savez qu'il a étudié avec Ravel et que les deux compositeurs ont toujours été de bons amis. (Google Translate)
+Colin Bonsoir Colin, merci de poursuivre cet échange; Oui RVW est peu connu en France, nous ne sommes pas toujours "ouverts", je dois reconnaître que notre étroitesse nous prive parfois de la connaissance des grands de ce monde. Je ne connais donc que depuis peu, et très peu ce compositeur, donc, c' est simplement avec le ressenti et non la connaissance, que j' ai commenté son oeuvre et votre ouvrage personnel. Cependant vous faîtes bien de mentionner Maurice Ravel, RVW fait donc partie de cette poignée de compositeurs très impressionnistes, auxquels j' aime toujours ajouter Vincent d' Indy....Ravel était un homme difficile, mais si tendre dans son fort intérieur, et sa mort fut plus que contestable ....J' ai beaucoup aimé le pianiste Samson François, humble et majestueux à la foi, qui mourut bien trop jeune, les oeuvres sont parfois crées par autrui et longtemps après....notre orchestre de Paris en garde un souvenir prégnant, affectif. Je suis très attaché à la notion de filiation , de parenté culturelle, que je défends dans mon ouvrage personnel, mais aussi dans mon gout pour la musique. Il est bon de toujours comprendre le contexte, mais surtout les relations, les affinités des auteurs, qui éclairent et donnent parfois la substance à leur inspiration. Si RVW a une part d' un certain académisme, sa liberté lui est très particulière, et semble trouver source dans des mélodies originelles, telles que Zoltan Kodaly y puisait; D' ailleurs, les élans vocaux, et des solistes et du coeur ont cette commune vitalité au compositeur Austro-hongrois. Ainsi on peut se rendre compte à travers ces partitions très imagées, que les mélodies les plus porteuses viennent des chants du peuple, et deviennent quelque part des Hymnes Légitimes...pour moi, c' est une réalité première chez RVW et qui me plait bien. J' apprends qu' il était un démocrate courageux, qui savait ce que l' engagement signifie, et il assumait avec dignité ses choix personnels. De tous temps, c' est une chose rare, mais à l' occasion ( et avec mes humbles capacités), je serai heureux de lire ( lentement )une biographie de lui. J' ai cru lire, ce soir, qu' il était aussi le petit neveu de Charles Darwin, et en cela, je suis heureux d' y trouver aussi une parenté avec Charles Darwin, et ils ont en commun la conscience des origines, la notion de "parentelle" et de fraternité, de sororité, laquelle ainsi que l' on en parle actuellement , fait de Darwin un "éthologue" premier, ( et l' éthologie humaine en découle) et de R. Vaughan Williams, un "ethomusicologue", lesquelles sciences ne sont effectives que dans le "soucis de l' autre", et le "grand soin", une conscience humaniste. Ainsi oui on peut être très fier de connaître et apprendre à propos de Ralph Vaughan Williams. Christian Guignard.
+Christian Guignard Cher Christian Oui, RVW a été très influencé par l'anglais folk-song, comme Kodaly, Bartok et Janacek ont été influencés par la culture folklorique de leurs propres pays. Vous aimeriez regarder une vidéo que je faisais sur la vie de RVW, que vous pouvez trouver sur ma chaîne. "Ralph Vaughan Williams, Une courte biographie". Le texte est en anglais, je le crains. Les Anglais sont très intéressés par la musique de partout dans le monde, mais je pense que les gens dans certains pays veulent seulement entendre la musique de leur propre culture. Ceci est particulièrement vrai pour les Allemands, qui ne se soucient que Beethoven, Brahms et Wagner! Berlioz, Ravel et Debussy sont très bien connus ici, aussi Olivier Messiaen et Boulez! Je admire la musique de Marc Antoine Charpentier beaucoup.
I love this piece. I sang it in Hartford about 18 years ago. It's done all too rarely in the US, even though I think it would be a big hit with most audiences.
I played a few of Williams’ works when I was in high school… many years ago! On a cold December night last year, after a hard day’s work, my wife encouraged us to go hear this at the Eastman Theatre. We took our three young girls to hear it. The opening segment was so glorious and beautiful that it took all the stress of life away and the next hour I sat mesmerized and so thankful for life and the many gifts God has given to us; the sea… and beautiful inspired artists to reflect a longing for adventure and triumph of the human spirit in Creation.
“Behold, the Sea!”
Greetings from Poland. I have discovered Vaughan a few years ago and became a great fun of him. Extraordinary and unique music in the history of music. England can be really proud of such Artist.
One of the seriously most fantastic composer i kmow in my whole!!! I have several of W.Williams symphonies.. the Sea symphoni. A so beatyfull, wonderfull big/great/impressing music. You can feel the sea, hear the wind in, And see the the beatyfull waterskabe, withn tall-ships. If you like history/music, you should take a boat, check on pc, if you like this idea here are any Tallship-race .
I feel the exact same way. Vaughn Williams is one of my chief inspirations for becoming a composer. Also, greetings from the US!
fan
Most composers take decades before they dare to aspire to writing on this gigantic scale. This was RVW's FIRST symphony. He was only 37 years old when he completed it, after six years' work. The following eight weren't bad either... even the ninth, written right at the end of his life, is a piece of startling originality. What kind of Godly genius was he?!
Rich, you answered your own question; Godly genius...We, humans, do the work Almighty GOD gives us the inspiration and step-by-step directions to do the actual and bring it to perfection.
@@catholiccrusader5328 RVW was an avowed atheist... as am I. To attribute all human greatness to an invisible sky daddy seems incredibly stupid to me.
Vaughn Williams Loved being referred to as the Christian agnostic ! An agnostic is not an atheist ! There is a difference !..
Agnosticism is a simple, honest”I don’t know philosophy” . Well suited to creative minds.
@@jpip1382 yes he was.
I do believe that nothing has ever been created by humankind that's more majestic than a ship in full sail...
What about a spaceship?
What about this symphony?
A spaceship full of symphonies! Or better yet: A SYMPHONY FULL OF SPACESHIPS!
William Ford (for the first one) 2001: A Space Odyssey, (for the second one) The Planets
especially clippers down to brigantine rig. But clipper at full sail is jaw dropping if seen at sea
Utterly beautiful and overwhelming! Captures the power of the Seas so magnificently!
Glad you liked it Daniel! I've also made videos to go with the 'London' and 'Pastoral' Symphonies, if you get a chance to check them out sometime. Thanks again.
ONE OF THE GREATEST SYMPHONIES EVER WRITTEN IN 20TH CENTURY!
This, I believe, is the best of all recordings thus far.
Cette symphonie est une de mes plus grande source de bonheur. L'écouter est un pur plaisir. Le bonheur c'est la musique.
One of the best performances I heard. Just saying "Thank You" is not enough, Colin- let´s say "you made my day". .
That's reward enough for my efforts, Alexandre. Many thanks for your kind response.
Thank you, so much, for the magnifque music, beatyfully !!!
SrigeÅriges
Magnificent performance of one of the world's finest symphonies. . Thank you too for adding the art credits. Beautiful music and beautiful artworks.
Thank you so much for your hard work in making this compilation of paintings and lyrics to accompany the music of Vaughan Williams. I can tell you in all honesty it left me in tears at some moments. I especially love how the paintings aren't just random--they correlate with the lyrics and the ideas being spoken. RVW is at this point my favorite composer, and the visuals you provide do his work justice.
Many thanks for your kind comments Anthony - greatly appreciated.
A wonderful symphony, magnificently performed, and a beautiful selection of paintings, most of which I had not previously seen. Thank you so much for this very moving presentation.
Thanks, Michael. Happy New Year.
To my mind the "Oh Thou Transcendent" is one of the greatest moments in western music!
I am very inclined to agree, Michael. It's the highest of many high points for me. It's the moment I most look forward to and it never disappoints. In live performance it's truly wonderful.
I performed this my freshman year in college at Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam in 1968!!!!! I still know all the music and most of the words- that's how profound an effect it had on me. Lovely!
Precious and beautiful pictures with the music precious too
A wonderful symphony with many hauntingly beautiful moments, ably accompanied by your choices of artwork. The libretto is a nice touch, too. Many thanks.
I knew this symphony many years ago ,and had recorded in an already non found Cassettes , which I still keep it ,its magnificence interpretation from the choir ,and thanks by the exposed poems from the sequence of the master music piece, grateful to you by this web given music,
Τόσο όμορφη συμφωνία! Υπέροχος και μαγευτικός ήχος, αληθινά αισθαντικός!
So beautiful a symphony! Suberb and magical sound, truly elegant!
Colin you are a hero. ;) Thanks for all of your great Vaughan Williams videos with fantastic paintings accompanying them. They are great!
Well, thanks, Alexander. I'm very glad that you and others like them.
Excellent! Thank you for sharing. The combination of music, singing, words on the screen, and, yes, the beautiful images. This is surely a labor of love. Thank you.
I added this video to my favorites years ago, but now I just gotta come back to comment... The magnificence of the Music and the composition of the many many beautiful and marvelous paintings is just perfect, its English as hell but could easily be an ode to sailors from all over the globe.
Greetings from Israel.
English, yes, but with words by An American!
Heartbreakingly beautiful!
Splendid collection of sea art. VERY well put together and appropriate to this monumental work.
Very beautiful presentation of this exceptional work. Thank you so much for putting time for this, for the art and the creation of the perfectly timed lyrics. A labour of love :-)
Thanks for this. Haven't heard this for a while and brought back wonderful memories of both the first time I heard it (a gift from my dad) and also singing in it with the Highgate Choral Society. Magic.
O Thou transcendentNameless the fibre and the breathShedding forth universes, Thou centre of them.I just discovered your video. Wonderful!I was so moved.I have loved this piece and this performanceand I was surprised how the images you orchestrated with the musictransported me to another place.The tasteful selections of paintings and photograph, the beautiful transitionsand the luscious silence at the close...I will hear the piece with more abandon because of this experience.So, thank you.Away O soul!
It's very kind of you to take the time to respond! So glad you enjoyed it.
What an awesome performance and recording. Thank you for posting.
Thanks for identifying the artists represented. You made terrific choices. I am a huge lover of Romantic and Impressionist art.
Lovely images which add to the enjoyment of this wonderful music by RVW. Thank you.
That spiritual flag theme has to be one of RVW's most inspired moments. It's so perfect.
Absolutely, grand! I am a member of the Springfield, Ohio Chorus (100+ members) and we are performing this complicated, yet, marvelous piece by Ralph Vaughn Williams, at the Kuss Performing Arts Center, a Clark State Community facility. As a Senatorial Candidate for District 10 of Ohio, running my own campaign with no assistance, nor, support from the Democratic Party Headquarters in my hometown of Springfield, the intense rehearsals are a refreshing relief of stress and pressure, for me! We perform on April 2nd and will have rehearsed this complexed body of musical genius for 2 months, and, believe me, it takes all of the 2 months, plus, to prepare and blend 100+ voices into a smooth sailing sea-like symphony. We will perform for 45 minutes straight with no break or intermission. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful and professional chorus of male and female singers, I weep like a sensitive weeping willow tree, while standing tall and strong, like the mighty oak tree. It elicits the most creative and literary artistry from my soul, each time I review and rehearse it, on UA-cam. It is my pleasure and fortune to draw strength from the calming, yet, raging Sea, as I endeavor to journey into uncharted politically, unpredictable sea-like, intense and emotional waves of the struggles, pains and sorrows of the poor, middle-class ordinary American citizens. Like the Captain of the ship, caught amidst the towering power of the waves, I am compelled, committed, determined to protect my people and fellow Americans under my charge and care. Particularly, the elderly, the disabled veterans returning home from the theater of a raging war, and the homeless innocent children, the weakest of my charge. What a fitting musical rhapsody set to the unpredictable rage and rhythm of the sea, to focus my thoughts upon the needs of the American People! I pray and hope, I do as good a job for my people, as there State Senator, should I be blessed with that charge and responsibility; just as, Ralph Vaughn Williams did with this powerful musical piece of work! I am Michael Sergio Gilbert, and I shall attempt to change the American Exclusive Political Paradigmatic System, to a calmer sea-like, American Inclusive Political Paradigm, to benefit and include all Americans.
Best of luck Michael.
So did you get elected, Michael? I hope so. Particularly for the raging tumult of the times we are all entering now, a year later. I share your enthusiasm for Vaughan Williams. Here on You Tube there is a posting ot a BBC programme about him.
Shame on the phoney Democrats establishment, hourray for those who have kept faith with and strengthen caring principles in the face of deviant powerful forces. USA urgently needs radical change. Keep on helping the poor and disadvantaged and may good luck sail with you.
Thanks so much for commenting, Peter. I watched the whole thing yesterday (the first time I've done so since I made it) and I found many things I'd like to change and improve, but on the whole I'm quite pleased with it and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
You can just feel the confidence and optimism of this pre-WW1 opera piece. Reflects the mood of the British Empire of the time just about perfectly.
Agree about the confidence and optimism, John, but it isn't an opera - it's a choral symphony.
I've just stumbled on this magnificent music and video. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL INVOLVED. And thank you for sharing it with us. YES, it's on my personal playlist. And I want to take the time at some point to sit and watch/listen to the ENTIRE PROGRAM on BIG SCREEN with NO work or interruptions. Thank you for this wonderful experience.
Hi, Colin!
I want to thank you so much for putting this wonderful video up! I love discovering new composers, and I just did! I clicked mainly because of the beautiful ship pictures...
And what a journey you provided me! Especially with the synchronized verses. Maestro Bernard Haitink is a great inspiration to me. I am glad I found A Sea Symphony; never knew a choral symphony could be so wonderful.
So glad you liked it Pedrooko. Please don't stop at 'A Sea Symphony'! Check out my video featuring Vaughan Williams's 'London Symphony' (number 2) and 'A Pastoral Symphony' (number 3). I have also made a video of RVW's life and an introduction to all his symphonies. You should find it if you search 'Nine Symphonies'. I hope you enjoy exploring the music of our great English composer!
WanderAbroad Thanks for your comment! Ralph Vaughan Williams is a very famous composer in the UK but he is not so well known in Europe, which is a shame. I hope you will listen to more of his music and tell all your classical music friends about him. I suggest you try his London Symphony next - look out for my video of it!! :)
What a masterwork! Absolutely amazing!!! :)
Also, whomever put this together; images, timing, music, the mere WORDS!...you deserve to be honored. Highly.
Gorgeous rendition and the artwork you matched to the music was magnificent. Thank you so much!
Beautifully done. There may be purists (musical or visual) who object to the mix of media, but I find that a thoughtful approach like this adds immeasurably to the appreciation of both.
Colin=Genius.
Such a delight to "force-feed" this collaboration upon All 'comers! Bless you, multitudinously.
+Tedde Biddle Thanks Tedde!
+Tedde Biddle : I LOVE that word! I USE it!
Yes, thankyou. The video interpretation of the music was a work of art in itself.
fabulous marriage of moving music and visuals. Grateful thanks for putting this together!
Thank you so much for this video. It's very evident that you did a lot of work, invested much time. With all that's been said, I don't know what more to say except that I agree, the video, music and imagery are all very skilfully done creating an almost divine experience, magnificent and beautiful. I only wish more people could, would watch this video and learn to appreciate great music and art. It is one of the best videos I have seen and the performance by Haitink is wonderful, rousing as well
Hello Coliin. Thank you so much for posting this wonderful music. Marvelous! And great choice of pictures!
I have always loved this piece so much.
I'm just discovering Williams's music. Thank you for doing so much work to integrate the majestic music, the stirring paintings, and the poetry of Walt Whitman. Even though I've been a lifelong poetry reader, and even though my son bought me a huge book with all his works, Whitman's poetry has never touched me. After watching this, I'll at least read this poem with a fresh eye, and see if I can make a connection. It obviously impressed Williams, for him to use it as his libretto. Thanks again for making this such a moving experience.
Thanks for taking the time to respond Mike. Like you, I do not warm to Whitman but the fact is that he struck a real chord with English composers in the first decades of the 20th century, RVW in particular. I'm glad you like the music and hope very much that you will take a look at some of my other posts - his next symphony was 'A London Symphony. (Just for the record, the composer's surname is Vaughan Williams, rather than just Williams - though he answered to Williams at school and in the army. His first name was Ralph, pronounced - believe it or not - 'Rafe'. The only other example I can think of is the actor Ralph Fiennes, who also pronounces his name that way. I think it's the posh way to say the name! Please forgive me for correcting you but if you become seriously interested in RVW's work (which I hope you will) knowing his surname starts with V rather than W will help you find references to him in books, and find his CDs in shops!).
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this!! Great recording & great images. I am so excited to perform this piece next week, and it really helps to have listened to it before hand (and read the lyrics along with it!). Thanks again!
+Katrina Chitty
How did the performance go?
+John Miller
It was great! It was the Toronto Symphony performing and I loved every second. I wish there would have been some sea pictures to go along with the performance (like this video!) but it was still a true joy to perform!
Love this symphony. Thanks for uploading such a glorious slide show !
Thanks Colin, my great grandfather was a ships captain sailing out of Glascow and eventually settling in Sydney Australia where he captained coastal traders. My grandfather was equally smitten with the sea including open sea yacht racing. Your contribution reminds me of the fragility and fear of going offshore under sails.
Oh! Colin! I love you you! & RvW MORE ~every minute I get to spend with you~ KEEP it UP!
Thanks very much Teddie. Glad you're enjoying the music!
Beyond measure or reason Sir... & your art curation ALWAYS makes me cry. Thank you eternally from my Soul.
It is also impossible to listen without thinking of the people of my neighbor, Dakota --who died in the USS Fitzgerald Disaster...
At the time you wrote that "copyrights @
'Might be freely shared for purposes (ie firehouse churches soldiers/sailors affairs etc.) ...
I know you put A LOT of effort in to securing extant broadcast!
Might I inquire what current situation is? That I might "share" in freedom?
@@teddebiddle Sorry, I'm sure sure what you are referring to here. But I am happy for this video to be shown, on the understanding that I do not own the copyright to the music or the images, most of which I found on-line. Good luck.
Breathtaking, unforgettable performance! Thank you very much!!
i love evermore every time I immerse in these DEEP waters. Bless you & ALL your people...
I intend also to share this with the mourning mother of our neighbor, Dakota, who drowned, (age 19) on the Fitzgerald...+"Fate will never surprise; Nor death dismay+
Ah! Colin, your synchronization of art with WORD, and music; really does endow the possibility... that such loss is indelible,, immortal' , and worth while...
Thank you, ever so very!
tedde
This is heaven on earth !
Thanks Colin for posting this wonderful choral-symphonic poem... It has helped and sustained me through many dark and tempestuous night-storms of the soul ...also love your choice of paintings... I spent nearly 20 years in the London art world and had the pleasure and privilege of helping people buy many marines... Julies Olsson, (St.Ives & Newllyn) especially! ... Winslow Homer and Turner are a favourites too... Thanks again! :-))
+Michael Vanderosen Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, Michael. Music (and art) is a great healer. Do check out my 'London Symphony' video, which also features paintings and drawings... Good wishes.
+Colin ... thanks ... have done as you noticed! ... see my somewhat over-long story on your Discussion page of how I came dam' close to singing Sea Symphony with the great man conducting... and the many years it took before I reconnected with it - becoming my most favourite piece of choral music in the world. :-))
eye wateringly beautiful
Excellent! All admirers of VW are greatly in your debt for this video and for all the others you have created.
Beautifully done! Thank you for this!
Vin Tarrega You are very welcome, Vin
francis prudence sometimeinspace
chorale has faint echoes of carmina burana
mr.rvwilliams is the awesomest for me right now. thanks colin!!!
This is fantastic! Thanks so much for creating and sharing this extraordinary combination of music, poetry, and imagery.
Excellent, magnificent. Thank you for your work and time.
Thank you for the wonderful paintings.
THANKS!!! for his is an amazing triumph of imagination---artfully wedding dramatic images to the glorious music & expansive poetry. There are lots of fine paintings I'd not seen before, as well as some old Winslow Homer favorites. The paintings concentrate on the era of Whitman's poem, when sail was still predominate at sea with steam still rudimentary. I was struck by how, for final climactic moments, the visuals explode into the Hubble's dazzling modern views of our heavens.
Extraordinaria musica.Increíble orquestación.Junto a segunda y la 6ta. son algo monumental.Me olvido de la 7ma. Un compositor grandioso.Gran post.romántico.Viva la musica!!!!
Great video! It's a wonderful synthesis of Whitman's magnificent poetry, RVW's splendid music, and some very beautiful images!
***** Thanks very much Ian.
Thank you Colin for this beautiful and magnificent presentation of one of my favorite works. I have greatly enjoyed your channel and your work of pairing these masterful works of Vaughan Williams with these wonderful paintings.
Vaughn Williams recordings by Haitink are important, because they establish to the rest of the world that he was not a provincial composer. And also a reflection on the love of Whitman by non-Americans.
Interesting point!
This is the most wonderful symphony with the best video I have ever seen. I used to sail around oceans which is the best experience of my life.
Thanks so much for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for posting. I've recorded all the artists you have introduced to me. I will buy this wonderful recording. Greetings from Flamborough. The North Sea. I am very grateful.
So glad you liked it Henry! Thanks for commenting.
This man was a genius, that's all there is to it.
maravillosa musica, hermosisimas pinturas! es un video magnifico, para deleitar el alma, los oidos y los ojos. gracias sr. colin.
Amo esta sinfonía!!
...simply stunning!!! Many Thanks!!!
Thank, you, Colin. This is my introduction to RVW's Sea Symphony. What a revelation!
+Pal Wob Glad you like it!
Really enjoyed the music, but I must thank you also for the links of the artists.
These maritim works are some of my favourite pieces :)
the big difference between english and german composers becomes very stark in symphonies of these kind....
vw was really an outstanding composer
Strange you say that. Brit music seems more about harmony. Deutch seems more about bombast and repeating a melody.
OMG! I thought this collage had been lost in the cloud! Such a treasure Colin, thank you thank you thank you!
You're very welcome. Enjoy! Happy new year Tedde
O Holy Colin! You kicked off this Year's Epiphany Feast 3 days early; really can't thank you enough. I am re-posting with abandon --honoring the effort it must have required to obtain all those copyrights & registrations!)
LOVE!
A great performance of VW's first symphony and a very well done video. Those pictures does really fit in VW's masterpiece.
Glad you like it Sergio! :)
Thank you, I'm new to this piece and the subtitles help a lot. The pics are also wonderful companions.
Magnifique , tableau et musique . et merci d'avoir donné toutes ces précisions sur le contenu de la vidéo .
I love that. I had the rare privilege as a Frenchman to sing this magical piece of music in Hong Kong. This is the way I discovered this great composer. Intense pleasure. Thanks Colin :-)
+Nicodimdom Glad you like RVW! Tell all your French friends - he was a friend of Ravel, of course! :)
Great pictures to accompany this wonderful piece of music. My favorite of VW's symphonies.
Ready to sail to a new continent after hearing this.
Great Symphonic Works...only by Masters !...
I've listened to your many videos for a while now and I want you to know I truly appreciate what you posted. Thank you.
Thanks Thomas!
Moving and most beautiful.
This ought to be one of the best videos in UA-cam.
Wonderful. Thanks Colin
My pleasure!
Hello Colin. I am a member of a music appreciation group born out of a Science Fiction subgroup that emerged out of a milieu in 1954 Los Angeles, Calif. I am very impressed with what you are posting! I am seeing works by RFW that we haven't encountered. Drop by and say Hello!
+KayBee Nullenvoyde Hi KayBee.. Glad you liked the he music and video. My computer is out of action at the moment (I writing this in the pbluublic library!) but I will certainly check out your group when it is fixed.
Hello Colin. Again, you have masterfully prepared another treasure. I have just subscribed.
Good to hear from you again and thanks so much. I do hope you like the other stuff I've done and look forward to hearing what you think.
Masterpiece!!!
Thanks a million for all your work!
Breathtaking! Thank you, Colin.
Gorgeous and gigantic. Wish I were baritone to sing the lead. Can't wait to perform with Davidson Choral Society in April.
Love to painting Sea while I listen to it. Those paintings you added inspire me too.
Thank you!
Wonderful again, Colin! Both seascapes and music! Keep it up! Frederic Smith, Santiago de Chile.
fredamel Thank you!
Beautiful, job, Colin! Thank you.
I once had the luck to be able to sing this great work as a choir member - and today a friend's seaside picture reminded me of it as well as of impressive sea motif arts works like of T. Lux Feininger and Turner etc - so finding this great combination of making a text video with great sea arts as background images was the best possible fit and will remain my preferred Sea Symphony video.
Thank You so m so much for this!
PS: I use a UA-cam-Addblocker add-on so undisturbed enjoying was guaranteed via web browser on PC...
Had to look whether such is possible and available for a smartphone... just in case
Bonsoir, bonjour Colin;
Il est réellement vivifiant d' écouter une telle partition, mais aussi de voir à quel point vous l' avez illustré, et de fort belle manière. Alors que je suis moi-même peintre, je peux apprécier des oeuvres que je découvre, et qui nous font aimer la mer, l' océan peut être; Nous avons en France, sur Paris, l' institution des "peintres de la Marine", dont je fus très proche dans ma jeunesse, et votre éventail de "marines" est superbe.
Il me plait à penser que vous connaissez la joie de pouvoir chanter cette partition, car le choix des oeuvres picturales ressemble à un véritable travail de musicologue, ( tout comme Vaughan) et votre extrême sensibilité à les choisir, en fonction de l' intensité précise de chaque instant de la partition (que je découvre aussi), dévoile une capacité à diriger une telle oeuvre. Dans tous les cas, la performance des musiciens et chanteurs est de très haut niveau, le coeur dans son ensemble est particulièrement crédible, ample; Il ne s' égare pas dans trop, ou trop peu; la complaisance n' est pas ici invité, et c' est donc une bien honnête interprétation. Le coeur de l' orchestre philharmonique de Londres donc ! quel ensemble ! depuis bien longtemps, je n' ai entendu autant de justesse, ( et je suis souvent déçu, pour tout le moins dépité, malgré l' étiquette des références) Ce soir, grâce à vous, c' est un moment de profond plaisir, de joie intérieure.
Le coeur porte même parfois l' orchestre, par delà ce que l' on peut penser; la justesse " à la note" est superbe, et le grain est naturel , un son ample large sans limite, la mer quoi !.
C' est ainsi que je conçoit l' esprit Britannique, et je prends le temps de vous le dire, alors que je suis en train de traduire consciencieusement, patiemment et avec dévotion, la vie de Kathleen Ferrier, (notre bien-aimée Kathleen); Je suis accoudé à mon bureau et donc en pensée avec Williams Vaughan !! , puis cette grande époque, épopée de Henry wood et Malcom Sargent. Il y a dans Vaughan, un souffle parfois comparable à celui de notre Debussy dans les envolées partisanes, mais aussi une certaine délicatesse , commune à notre Fauré, dans les parties intérieures, intimes...mais son expression lui est, "in fine" , personnelle et unique, pas toujours légère, mais pour le moins très enthousiaste !. Il y a une candeur certaine chez ce compositeur, qui nous le rend sympathique, on lit en lui comme dans un livre, il nous est donc " domestique"( je plaisante) il fait partie de la maison !(domus), dans le sens où il vient de quelque part, mais il ne le cache pas, ses pairs sont là.
Je ne suis pas sûr que nombre d' enfants en ce jour soient instruits de ce genre de compositeurs, ni par une telle expression musicale, cela se devrait à mon sens bien plus que ce dont l' actualité souvent étriquée nous abreuve; Mais c' est un bonheur et un trésor de le partager en famille, et par votre proposition bienvenue, mon jeune fils s' en régalera dès demain, alors nous semons pour demain, en devenir.
Un grand merci, donc pour la diffusion d' une telle oeuvre à travers une telle interprétation, Oui, le coeur ( choir), particulièrement est parfait, et je le répète, votre présentation est superbe.
Christian guignard.
+Christian Guignard Cher Christian - Merci beaucoup pour vos commentaires intéressants. Je suis très heureux que vous aimez la musique de Vaghan Williams. Aussi que vous avez apprécié ma présentation visuelle. Je crois que la musique de RVW est pas très connu en France, il est donc bon d'apprendre qu'il a des admirateurs là! Je suis sûr que vous savez qu'il a étudié avec Ravel et que les deux compositeurs ont toujours été de bons amis. (Google Translate)
+Colin Bonsoir Colin, merci de poursuivre cet échange; Oui RVW est peu connu en France, nous ne sommes pas toujours "ouverts", je dois reconnaître que notre étroitesse nous prive parfois de la connaissance des grands de ce monde. Je ne connais donc que depuis peu, et très peu ce compositeur, donc, c' est simplement avec le ressenti et non la connaissance, que j' ai commenté son oeuvre et votre ouvrage personnel. Cependant vous faîtes bien de mentionner Maurice Ravel, RVW fait donc partie de cette poignée de compositeurs très impressionnistes, auxquels j' aime toujours ajouter Vincent d' Indy....Ravel était un homme difficile, mais si tendre dans son fort intérieur, et sa mort fut plus que contestable ....J' ai beaucoup aimé le pianiste Samson François, humble et majestueux à la foi, qui mourut bien trop jeune, les oeuvres sont parfois crées par autrui et longtemps après....notre orchestre de Paris en garde un souvenir prégnant, affectif.
Je suis très attaché à la notion de filiation , de parenté culturelle, que je défends dans mon ouvrage personnel, mais aussi dans mon gout pour la musique. Il est bon de toujours comprendre le contexte, mais surtout les relations, les affinités des auteurs, qui éclairent et donnent parfois la substance à leur inspiration.
Si RVW a une part d' un certain académisme, sa liberté lui est très particulière, et semble trouver source dans des mélodies originelles, telles que Zoltan Kodaly y puisait; D' ailleurs, les élans vocaux, et des solistes et du coeur ont cette commune vitalité au compositeur Austro-hongrois. Ainsi on peut se rendre compte à travers ces partitions très imagées, que les mélodies les plus porteuses viennent des chants du peuple, et deviennent quelque part des Hymnes Légitimes...pour moi, c' est une réalité première chez RVW et qui me plait bien. J' apprends qu' il était un démocrate courageux, qui savait ce que l' engagement signifie, et il assumait avec dignité ses choix personnels. De tous temps, c' est une chose rare, mais à l' occasion ( et avec mes humbles capacités), je serai heureux de lire ( lentement )une biographie de lui.
J' ai cru lire, ce soir, qu' il était aussi le petit neveu de Charles Darwin, et en cela, je suis heureux d' y trouver aussi une parenté avec Charles Darwin, et ils ont en commun la conscience des origines, la notion de "parentelle" et de fraternité, de sororité, laquelle ainsi que l' on en parle actuellement , fait de Darwin un "éthologue" premier, ( et l' éthologie humaine en découle) et de R. Vaughan Williams, un "ethomusicologue", lesquelles sciences ne sont effectives que dans le "soucis de l' autre", et le "grand soin", une conscience humaniste. Ainsi oui on peut être très fier de connaître et apprendre à propos de Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Christian Guignard.
+Christian Guignard Cher Christian
Oui, RVW a été très influencé par l'anglais folk-song, comme Kodaly, Bartok et Janacek ont été influencés par la culture folklorique de leurs propres pays. Vous aimeriez regarder une vidéo que je faisais sur la vie de RVW, que vous pouvez trouver sur ma chaîne. "Ralph Vaughan Williams, Une courte biographie". Le texte est en anglais, je le crains.
Les Anglais sont très intéressés par la musique de partout dans le monde, mais je pense que les gens dans certains pays veulent seulement entendre la musique de leur propre culture. Ceci est particulièrement vrai pour les Allemands, qui ne se soucient que Beethoven, Brahms et Wagner! Berlioz, Ravel et Debussy sont très bien connus ici, aussi Olivier Messiaen et Boulez! Je admire la musique de Marc Antoine Charpentier beaucoup.
Is it okay to feel young? Haha
Wonderful music! Really lifts my heart :D
I love this piece. I sang it in Hartford about 18 years ago. It's done all too rarely in the US, even though I think it would be a big hit with most audiences.