a few thoughts on Ralph Vaughan Williams

[sasha]

Been listening to a lot of Vaughan Williams lately - I've heard him in on NPR for many years, but always unobtrusively in the background - always eliciting a "gee, I rather like that", but never "wow, I like that!"... Pleasant orchestral music in a classical vein, but not archaic & academic, nor overpoweringly sweet - not exactly sugar-free, but not cloying either; melodious, but just unpredictable enough to be interesting, at least to a musical layman. Elevator music with a college degree. Often with a hint of emotional darkness - or maybe a kind of reverential majesty... Exactly the sort of feeling I'm apt to get now walking along an unfamiliar woodland trail. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to it now. It's the sort of music I can write to - providing not just a bland background free of distraction, but a comfortable bed for my thoughts....

[saw]

beautifully expressed....I have to admit i know nothing really of the man's music, but you've convinced me to check it out

[sasha]

"Dark Pastorale" might not be a bad place to start - it isn't dark as much as elegiac, and quite cinematic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5tquD727ik

[saw]

haunting melody...I learned the cellist is the British musician Guy Johnston.....splendid work for his part, but overall I felt the passion of "the piece"...or maybe I should say "the peace"....listened to it with my headphones and was captivated

thanx for posting

[sasha]

"The Lark Ascending" has a different vibe - aspirational, maybe? It flirts with prettiness, but stops short of becoming precious - in the opinion of this musical philistine, anyway... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdVtLPGBqVI

[saw]

extraordinary piece of work.....I was married to a violinist for 20 years, so I've heard my fair share of operas, concerts, and a violin's contributions and was familiar of course with Hilary Hahn.....but this was outstanding...enjoyed the landscapes as well