Vaughan Williams and His World

Ralph Vaughan Williams was a twentieth-century composer whose symphonies are among the most popular of the century. This biography, published in collaboration with the Bard Music Festival, reclaims his progressive ethical and democratic convictions and celebrates his achievements as a composer.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was a remarkable figure in the world of music, renowned for his innovative and creative contributions to the 20th century. His symphonies, alongside those of Sibelius, Nielsen, Shostakovich, and Roussel, are considered among the finest works of the era. However, after his passing, there was a shift in musical priorities, resulting in a period of critical neglect for his works. What was unforeseen was the resurgence of Vaughan Williams' popularity in the early 21st century, with a handful of his scores gaining immense global acclaim. This newfound recognition has led to some misconceptions about Vaughan Williams' cultural nationalism and a distorted understanding of his international cultural and musical significance.

To address these issues, Vaughan Williams and His World: A Biography, published in collaboration with the Bard Music Festival, provides a comprehensive exploration of the composer's stylistic and aesthetic development. The book takes a broadly chronological approach, revisiting Vaughan Williams' music composed during and after the Second World War and reaffirming his status as an artist whose leftist political convictions permeated his life and music.

One of the key themes of the book is the reclaiming of Vaughan Williams' deeply held progressive ethical and democratic convictions. It highlights his commitment to social justice, equality, and human rights, which were central to his artistic vision. The book also celebrates Vaughan Williams' achievements as a composer, recognizing his contributions to the development of British classical music and his influence on subsequent generations of musicians.

Through extensive research and analysis, Vaughan Williams and His World offers a fresh perspective on the composer's life and work. It sheds light on his personal experiences, including his childhood in rural Wales, his military service during World War I, and his struggles with mental health. The book also explores Vaughan Williams' relationships with other notable figures in the music world, such as Gustav Holst, Ralph Ellison, and Sir Thomas Beecham.

In conclusion, Vaughan Williams and His World: A Biography is a valuable contribution to the study of 20th-century music. It provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the composer's life, work, and cultural significance. By reclaiming his progressive ethical and democratic convictions and celebrating his achievements as a composer, the book offers a fresh perspective on Vaughan Williams' legacy and helps to restore his rightful place in the annals of musical history.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226830445